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As pointed out, you lose if the pile has 1, 6, 11 or 16 sticks. How many sticks are needed in the next two piles for you to lose

User Blackator
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1 Answer

9 votes

Answer:

21 and 26 totaling 47sticks

Explanation:

Th number of sticks form an arithmetic progression

1, 6, 11, 16...

The nth term of an arithmetic progression is expressed as;

Tn = a+(n-1)d

a is the first term = 1

d is the common difference

d = 6-1 = 11-6 = 5

n is the number of terms

The next two terms are the fifth and sixth term

T5 = 1+(5-1)5

T5 = 1+4(5)

T5 = 1+20

T5 = 21

T6 = 1+(6-1)5

T6 = 1+5(5)

T6 = 1+25

T6 = 26

Hence the number of sticks needed in the next two piles are 21 and 26 totaling 47sticks

User Michalczukm
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