POOPLE ANSWERS

APRIL 19, 2026 · PUZZLE #248

PACT to POOP.

One shortest route in 6 moves.

00
PACT
START
01
PACE
LETTER 4
02
PALE
LETTER 3
03
PALL
LETTER 4
04
POLL
LETTER 2
05
POOL
LETTER 3
06
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 6 moves

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

Start by changing the fourth letter: PACT → PACE. Near the goal, POOL is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its fourth letter.

Every letter change

  1. PACT → PACE: change letter 4 from T to E.
  2. PACE → PALE: change letter 3 from C to L.
  3. PALE → PALL: change letter 4 from E to L.
  4. PALL → POLL: change letter 2 from A to O.
  5. POLL → POOL: change letter 3 from L to O.
  6. POOL → POOP: change letter 4 from L to P.
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