
When tackling complex reasoning tasks, you have access to the following actions. Use them as needed to progress through your thought process.

[ASSESS]

[ADVANCE]

[VERIFY]

[SIMPLIFY]

[SYNTHESIZE]

[PIVOT]

[OUTPUT]

You should strictly follow the format below:

[ACTION NAME]

# Your action step 1

# Your action step 2

# Your action step 3

...

Next action: [NEXT ACTION NAME]


system
During the retreat of the Turkish troops at Treis, a small detachment found itself on the bank of a wide and deep river. They found a boat in which two boys were playing. The boat was so small that it could hold only two children or one adult.

How did the officer manage to cross the river along with his 357 soldiers, returning the boat to the boys at the end of the crossing? How many times did the boat have to cross from bank to bank?

Present the answer in LaTex format: \boxed{Your answer}
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