Question

A ball is dropped from a height of 48 feet. Each time the bounces, it travels back up half the distance from which it fell. How many feet has the ball traveled when it hits the ground for the fifth time?

Answer 1

138 ft

Explanation:

For the first hit, the ball has traveled 48 ft.

For the second hit, the ball traveled up 24 ft and back down, so an additional 48 ft.

For the 3rd hit, the ball traveled up 12 ft and back down, so an additional 24 ft.

The 4th and 5th hits add 12 ft and 6 ft, respectively, so the total is ...

48 ft + 48 ft + 24 ft + 12 ft + 6 ft = 138 ft.