A heavy object (with negligible air resistance) is dropped from a plane. During the first second of fall, the object falls 17.4 meters; during the second second, it falls 52.2 meters; during the third second, it falls 87.0 meters; and during the fourth second, it falls 121.8 meters. If this pattern continues, how many meters will the object fall in 10 seconds?
A)2505.6 meters
B)1409.4 meters
C)626.4 meters
D)1740.0 meters
E)852.6 meters

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The distance the object falls during each second increases by 34.8 meters each time (17.4 meters during the first second, 52.2 meters during the second second, etc.). Thus, during the tenth second, the object will fall 17.4 + 52.2 + 87.0 + 121.8 + 156.6 + 191.4 + 226.2 + 261.0 + 295.8 + 330.6 meters = 1740.0 meters.

A Heavy Object (With Negligible Air Resistance) Is Dropped from a Plane