# Thread: Geometric Sequence word problem

1. ## Geometric Sequence word problem

Been having trouble with this one we are expected to use the sum geometric sequences formula to solve, the answer provided is 91.7m, when I calculate it I got an answer of 92.63m . I don't know if I'm right or the answer provide is right as there have been a few mistakes in the booklet.

A tennis ball is dropped from the top of a building 50m above a paved road. In each bounce the ball reaches a vertical height that is 30% of the previous vertical height.Determine the total distance that the ball has traveled when it has contacted the road for the fourth time.

Thanks for any help.

2. Originally Posted by nightrider456
Been having trouble with this one we are expected to use the sum geometric sequences .

A tennis ball is dropped from the top of a building 50m above a paved road. In each bounce the ball reaches a vertical height that is 30% of the previous vertical height.Determine the total distance that the ball has traveled when it has contacted the road for the fourth time.

Thanx for any help.
$\displaystyle 50 + 2 \cdot 50(0.3) + 2 \cdot 50(0.3)^2 + 2 \cdot 50(0.3)^3$

can you finish?