Question

A group of N merchants must cross a wide and deep river with no bridge in sight. They notice two 10-year-old boys playing in a rowboat by
the shore, The boat is so diny, however, that it can only hold two boys or one merchant, Which of the following is the minimum number of
cimes does the boat need to pass from shore to shore to transfer all merchants to the other side?​

Answer 1

Answer:

4N - 1  

Step-by-step explanation:

1. First Two boys will go to other shore

2. one boy will bring the boat back

3.  one merchant will go to other shore

4.  one boy will bring the boat back

5  both boys will go to other shore

6  one boy will bring boat back

7  one merchant will go to other shore

8.  one boy will bring the boat back

This process keep repeating

but in Last transfer bringing back og boy is not mandatory

so for N merchant transfer

it would be

4N - 1    ( as return of one boy is not mandatory)