A monkey and his owner have collected 3000 coconuts. They want to sell their coconuts in the nearby city 1000 miles away. The monkey is going to travel across the oasis carrying as many coconuts as he can to the other side. (His owner has to stay behind and guard the coconuts). The monkey is fiercely strong and can carry 1000 coconuts at a time. However, he eats one coconut every mile. What is the maximum number of coconuts the monkey can get across the oasis? How does the monkey do it? Explain how you arrived to your answer.
Hint: The monkey does not have to go all the way across the oasis in one trip.