Question

A rabbit started at point 0 and made 3 jumps: a jump of 4 units, then a jump of 2 units, and then a jump of 1 unit. We do not know the direction of either jump. Where on the number line can this rabbit be now?

Answer 1

The rabbit could be at eight different numbers of the number line:

-7, - 5, - 3, - 1, 1, 3, 5, and 7.

Explanation:

Let's simulate each of the jumps of the rabbit in all the possible directions, as follows:

Option 1: - 4 - 2 - 1 = -7

Option 2: - 4 - 2 + 1 = -5

Option 3: - 4 + 2 - 1 = - 3

Option 4: - 4 + 2 + 1 = - 1

Option 5: 4 - 2 - 1 = 1

Option 6: 4 - 2 + 1 = 3

Option 7: 4 + 2 - 1 = 5

Option 8: 4 + 2 + 1 = 7