SOLUTION: a child on a swing is given a big push. she travels 12 feet on the back-and-fourth swing but only 5/6 as far on each successive back-and-fourth swing. How far (total distance) does

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Question 1167888: a child on a swing is given a big push. she travels 12 feet on the back-and-fourth swing but only 5/6 as far on each successive back-and-fourth swing. How far (total distance) does she travel before the swing stops?
Answer by greenestamps(13198) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


back and forth -- not back and fourth....

This will be an infinite geometric series with first term 24 (feet) and common ratio 5/6.

The infinite sum is the first term, divided by (1 minus the common ratio).

S+=+a%281%29%2F%281-r%29

Plug in the numbers and calculate.