Question

A super ball is dropped from a height of 100 feet. Each time it bounces, it rebounds half the distance it falls. How many feet will the ball have traveled when it hits the ground for the fourth time

Answer 1

The total distance travelled by the ball after the fourth impact is 275 feet.

Explanation:

Given-

Height, h = 100 feet

Rebounds half the distance

Distance in feet for the fourth time, x = ?

For the first time, the distance travelled by the ball is, x = 100 feet

For the second time, it will bounce up to 50 feet and fall upto 50 feet( half of 100 feet)

So, the distance travelled after the second impact, x = 100 + 50 + 50 = 200 feet

For the third time, it will bounce up to 25 feet and fall upto 25 feet( half of 50 feet)

So, the distance travelled after the third impact, x = 200 + 25 + 25 = 250 feet

For the fourth time, it will bounce up to 12.5 feet and fall upto 12.5 feet( half of 25 feet)

So, the distance travelled after the fourth impact, x = 250 + 12.5 + 12.5 = 275 feet

Therefore, total distance travelled by the ball after the fourth impact is 275 feet.