Question

100 points to whoever can answer this: A bouncing ball reaches a height of 27 feet at its first peak, 18 feet at its second peak, and 12 feet at its third peak. Describe how a sequence can be used to determine the height of the ball when it reaches its fourth peak. PLEASE SEND HELP I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS PROBLEM ALGEBRA IS SOOOOOO HARRRRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks

Answer 1

There is a common ratio of 2/3 between the height of the ball at each bounce. So, the bounce heights form a geometric sequence: 27, 18, 12. Two-thirds of 12 is 8, so on the fourth bounce, the ball will reach a height of 8 feet.

Explanation:

Sample response :)

Answer 2

27*2/3=18

18*2/3=12

Explanation:

I would look at the ratio of two terms

and the difference of two terms

to see if there might be a pattern

for example, 27, 18, 12

the difference between 27 and 18 is 9

the difference between 18 and 12 is 6

That is not a constant difference.

Let's try ratios:

27/18 = 1.5

18/12 = 1.5

that looks promising... we get the same ratio

so on the next bounce, expect

18/x = 1.5

maybe it's easier if we flip the ratio 1.5 (3/2) to 2/3 and so

18= 2/3 * 27

12= 2/3* 18 = 2/3 * 2/3 * 27

If we try to make a pattern

first peak = (2/3)^0 * 27

2nd peak = (2/3)^1 *27

3rd peak = (2/3)^2 * 27