Riddle of Sphinx's Cousin

[Retane]

Originally posted by Koola
Well...I've desided to post a riddle myself, cus I've been dying to post it. I'll give you all til 7 pm, EST to answer my riddle. Uh...you'll get only 100z, I'm not very generous...

A man needs to deliver a parcel from Point A to Point B. He can carry up to four days of food, but the travel time is seven days. He is able to bring companions with him along the trip, all which can only carry four days of food. All companions must be retured to Point A alive. The man can stay at Point B, he doesn't need to return to Point A. Now...the riddle...

What is the least amount of companions the man can take to get from Point A to Point B?

Edit: Oh...explain your resoning and whatever...

He would need three companions

Ok, considering you mean he must eat and such each day. His food could last him the final four days.

Day1
Everyone eats.so:
M-3
C1-3
C2-3
C3-3

C3 givesC1, C2 and M 1 food.food each so:
M-4
C1-4
C2-4
C3-0




Day 2
C3 returns home.
M-4
C1-4
C2-4

They eat.
M-3
C1-3
C2-3

C2 needs only 1 food to return home So he gives his food to M and C1 so:
M-4
C1-4
C2-1



Day3
C2 returns home.

The last two eat.
M-3
C1-3

C1 only neds 2 to get home. so he gives 1 to M so:
M-4
C1-2


Day4-7
M has enough to make it. C1 returns home.