Problem Four: Crossing the River
Oct 2nd, 2006 by Percy
During the Turkish stampede in Thrace, a small detachment found itself confronted by a wide and deep river. However, they discovered a boat in which two children were roawing about. It was so small that it would carry only the two children, or one grown person.
How did the officer get himself and his 357 soldiers across the river and leave the two children finally in joint possession of the boat? And how many times need the boat pass from shore to shore?
Source: 536 Puzzles and Curious Problems by Dudeney (p. 172)