A Pingpong Ball dropped from a height of 128 m rebounds on each bounce one-half the distance from which it fell.How far will it travel before coming to rest?

Infinite geometric Series

1 Answer
Aug 2, 2018

Initial fall #s_1=128m#

Next rise and fall #s_2=2*1/2*128# m

Next rise and fall #s_3=2*(1/2^2)128# m

Next rise and fall #s_4=2*(1/2^3)128# m

So total path traveled is

#S=sum_(I=1}^(i=oo)s_i#

#=128+128(1+1/2+1/2^2+..... "up to" oo)#

#=128+128(1/(1-1/2))#

#=128+128(1/(1/2))=3*128=384#m