A ball is dropped from a height of 12 feet and returns to a height that is one-half of the height fr

Discussion in 'Calculator Requests' started by math_celebrity, Feb 20, 2017.

  1. math_celebrity

    math_celebrity Administrator Staff Member

    A ball is dropped from a height of 12 feet and returns to a height that is one-half of the height from which it fell. The ball continues to bounce half the height of the previous bounce each time. How far will the ball have traveled when it hits the ground for the fifth time?

    Take the top of the bounces one at a time:
    1. Ball is dropped 12 feet and it bounces up to 6 feet
    2. Ball drops 6 feet back down and bounces up to 3 feet up
    3. Ball drops 3 feet back down and bounces up to 1.5 feet up
    4. Ball drops 1.5 feet down and bounces up to 0.75 feet up
    5. Return down after Bounce 5 is 0.75 feet down
    Total distance travelled:
    12 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 3 + 1.5 + 1.5 + 0.75 + 0.75
    34.5 feet

     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2024

Share This Page