In: Advanced Math
A ladder has 15 tapered rungs, the lengths of which increase by a common difference. The first rung is 5 inches long, and the last rung is 20 inches long. What is the sum of the lengths of the rungs?
Consider a ladder with 15 tapered rungs. The lengths of rungs are increasing by a common difference. First rung is 5 inches long and last rung is 20 inches long.
So, the lengths of rungs make an arithmetic sequence with a1 = 5 and a15 = 20.
Use the formula for the sum of first n terms of an arithmetic sequence,
Sn = n(a1 + an)/2 ...... (1)
Substitute n = 15, a1 = 5 and a15 = 20 in the formula (1) and simplify,
S15 = 15(5 + 20)/2
= 15 × 25/2
= 187.5
Therefore, sum of the lengths of the rungs is 187.5 inches.
Therefore, sum of the lengths of the rungs is 187.5 inches.