jmc

Question

A ''super ball'' is dropped from a window 16 meters above the ground. On each bounce it rises 34 the distance of the preceding high point. The ball is caught when it reached the high point after hitting the ground for the third time. To the nearest meter, how far has it travelled?

Accepted Answer

The ball traveled 16+1634+16(34)^2 = 16+ 12+9 = 37 meters on its three descents. The ball also traveled 1634+16(34)^2+16(34)^3 = 12+9+274 = 27.75 meters on its three ascents. Thus, the ball traveled 37+27.75 = 64.75 65 meters total.