POOPLE ANSWERS

DECEMBER 9, 2025 · PUZZLE #117

APES to POOP.

One shortest route in 7 moves.

00
APES
START
01
APED
LETTER 4
02
SPED
LETTER 1
03
SLED
LETTER 2
04
PLED
LETTER 1
05
PLOD
LETTER 3
06
PLOP
LETTER 4
07
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 7 moves

APES and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 3 additional moves; the first and second and fourth letters change more than once.

Start by changing the fourth letter: APES → APED. Near the goal, PLOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its second letter.

Every letter change

  1. APES → APED: change letter 4 from S to D.
  2. APED → SPED: change letter 1 from A to S.
  3. SPED → SLED: change letter 2 from P to L.
  4. SLED → PLED: change letter 1 from S to P.
  5. PLED → PLOD: change letter 3 from E to O.
  6. PLOD → PLOP: change letter 4 from D to P.
  7. PLOP → POOP: change letter 2 from L to O.
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