Question

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

Answer 1

Answer:

21 and 26 totaling 47sticks

Step-by-step 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