Problem of the Week - Middle School - Jan. 17, 2021 to Jan. 23, 2021

Middle School: 

Question: A tree is 200 feet tall. A vine growing up the trunk of the tree overtakes 10% of the tree's remaining height each week. How high does the vine reach after 3 weeks? 

Answer: 54.2 feet

Solution: On the first week, the vine grows 10% of 200 = 20 feet, leaving 200 – 20 = 180 feet untouched. On the second week, it grows 10% of 180 = 18 feet, leaving 162 feet untouched. On the third week, it grows 10% of 162 = 16.2 feet. So, in total, the vine has grown 20 + 18 + 16.2 = 54.2 feet up the tree.