4
QuizMultiple Choice

Recursive Formulas — Unit test

Question 4 • AZ-Common Core Algebra II B

A bungee jumper falls 97.2 feet before bouncing back up at the end of his bungee cord. Then he falls 64.8 feet before bouncing up again. On his third descent, he falls 43.2 feet before going back up. What is the total distance the bungee jumper drops after five falls if the distances continue in this pattern? (Do not include the distance traveled up.)

Answer
A
234.0 ft
B
253.2 ft
C
789.8 ft
D
1,281.8 ft

Explanation

Each fall is two-thirds of the previous fall: 64.8 ÷ 97.2 = 2/3 and 43.2 ÷ 64.8 = 2/3. The next two falls are 43.2 × 2/3 = 28.8 feet and 28.8 × 2/3 = 19.2 feet. Adding the five downward distances gives 97.2 + 64.8 + 43.2 + 28.8 + 19.2 = 253.2 feet, so the total is 253.2 ft.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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