One more math based word problem.

[Yvonne's hubby]

Since several here have been having fun with math problems designed to make children think and learn... I just thought of another one. I present to you the story of the equestrian complaining about the blacksmith fees.

It seems the blacksmith offered to shoe a fellers horse for his standard rate of $5. Our good equestrian complained that it only took 8 nails per shoe... and that $5 dollars seemed a bit high. The blacksmith scratched his head a bit and came up with a suggestion.... He would put on all four shoes, "by the nail" and only charge the feller for the last nail. Well now, how much per nail? the feller wanted to know... The blacksmith comes back with a half a cent for the first nail, a penny for the next one, two cents for the next.... we will just double it for each one, but you only have to pay me for the last one.

Which do you think would be cheaper? $5 for the job... or the last nail charging by the nail?

[kkbinco]

8*4=32 nails used

Set aside the half cent nail leaves 31 nails.

Doubling the cost of each nail, first nail is 2^0, that last nail will be 2^30, or 1,073,741,824 cents.

i.e.
2^0=1
2^1=2
2^2=4
...
2^30=1,073,741,824

I'm thinking $5.00 for the job might be the way to go.

[roadless]

$5.00 for job is cheaper....just one shoe is 6.40

[RubyRed]

Math is the debil.