Mount Everest

Algebra Level 4

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. It has a height of $\text{8848 m}$ above sea level. It is one of Earth's greatest challenges to climb the mountain and reach the summit. Very few people have accomplished this challenging task.

We are thinking of an ingenious method to reach the summit. We have a piece of paper of infinite area which is $0.1$ millimetres thick. When we fold it in halves, the total thickness of the paper doubles.

How many times will you have to fold it in half in order for it to become tall enough to reach the summit?

Assume that we are at sea level.

Inspired by Worranat Pakornrat's problem

The answer is 27.

1 solution

Arpit MIshra
Dec 3, 2015

Height of the Mount Everest = $\text{8848 metres}$

8848 metres = 8848000 mm

$0.1 \times 2^{x} = \text{8848000 mm}$

x is the number of times to fold the paper.

$2^{x} = \text{88480000}$

x = $\log_2 88480000$

x = $26.398848049784156$ .

Therefore to reach the summit, we need to fold it at least $\boxed{27}$ times.

Did the same !!!!upvoted !!

Akshat Sharda - 5 years, 6 months ago

Mount Everest

Inspired by Worranat Pakornrat's problem

The answer is 27.

1 solution

0 pending reports