Question

billy drops a ball from a height of 1 m. the ball bounces back to a height of 0.8 m, then bounces again to a height of 0.5 m, and bounces once more to a height of 0.2 m. up is the positive direction. what is the total distance of the ball?
if you answer is not an integer, round it to the nearest tenths place (1st decimal place).
______ m

Explanation:

Step1: List all traveled distances

Initial drop: $1\ \text{m}$
First bounce up/down: $0.8\ \text{m} + 0.8\ \text{m}$
Second bounce up/down: $0.5\ \text{m} + 0.5\ \text{m}$
Third bounce up: $0.2\ \text{m}$ (no further drop noted)

Step2: Sum all distances

$\text{Total Distance} = 1 + 0.8 + 0.8 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.2$

Step3: Calculate and round result

$\text{Total Distance} = 3.8$

Answer:

$3.8$ m