POOPLE ANSWERS

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 ยท PUZZLE #24

MUCH to POOP.

One shortest route in 6 moves.

00
MUCH
START
01
MUCK
LETTER 4
02
BUCK
LETTER 1
03
BOCK
LETTER 2
04
BOOK
LETTER 3
05
BOOP
LETTER 4
06
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 6 moves

MUCH and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the first and fourth letters change more than once.

Start by changing the fourth letter: MUCH โ†’ MUCK. Near the goal, BOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. MUCH โ†’ MUCK: change letter 4 from H to K.
  2. MUCK โ†’ BUCK: change letter 1 from M to B.
  3. BUCK โ†’ BOCK: change letter 2 from U to O.
  4. BOCK โ†’ BOOK: change letter 3 from C to O.
  5. BOOK โ†’ BOOP: change letter 4 from K to P.
  6. BOOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 1 from B to P.