Math Problem Statement

Una pelota se deja caer de una altura de 14 pies y empieza a rebotar. La altura de cada salto es 5/6 de la altura del salto anterior.

Solution

The problem describes a ball dropped from a height of 14 feet that rebounds, with each bounce reaching 56\frac{5}{6} of the height of the previous one. The task is to calculate the vertical distances in both the descent and ascent for the bounces, as well as the total vertical distance covered by the ball.

Let's break down the process:

  1. Distance covered in descent:

    • The ball falls from 14 feet on the first drop.
    • After each bounce, it ascends to 56\frac{5}{6} of the previous height, and then descends the same height.
    • The descending heights form a geometric series: 14, 14×5614 \times \frac{5}{6}, 14×(56)214 \times \left( \frac{5}{6} \right)^2, and so on.

    The total descent distance is the sum of this geometric series: Sdescent=14+14×56+14×(56)2+S_{\text{descent}} = 14 + 14 \times \frac{5}{6} + 14 \times \left( \frac{5}{6} \right)^2 + \cdots

  2. Distance covered in ascent:

    • The first ascent starts at 14×5614 \times \frac{5}{6}, and each subsequent ascent is 56\frac{5}{6} of the previous one.
    • The ascent heights also form a geometric series: 14×5614 \times \frac{5}{6}, 14×(56)214 \times \left( \frac{5}{6} \right)^2, 14×(56)314 \times \left( \frac{5}{6} \right)^3, and so on.

    The total ascent distance is the sum of this geometric series: Sascent=14×56+14×(56)2+14×(56)3+S_{\text{ascent}} = 14 \times \frac{5}{6} + 14 \times \left( \frac{5}{6} \right)^2 + 14 \times \left( \frac{5}{6} \right)^3 + \cdots

  3. Total vertical distance: The total distance covered is the sum of both the ascent and descent distances.

Would you like me to calculate the exact sums for these series? If so, I can proceed with those.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometric series
Proportions
Algebra

Formulas

Sum of an infinite geometric series: S = a / (1 - r) where a is the first term and r is the common ratio
Sum of the descending series: S = 14 + 14(5/6) + 14(5/6)^2 + ...
Sum of the ascending series: S = 14(5/6) + 14(5/6)^2 + ...

Theorems

Geometric series sum formula

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12