A pendulum bob swings 5.0cm on its first oscillation.On each subsequent oscillation the bob travels 2/5 of the previous distance. Find the total distance the bob travels before coming to rest.

Answer 1

total swing distance
= 5 + (2/5)(5) + (2/5)^2 (5 ) + ...

this is a GS where a = 5 and r = 2/5

sum(infinite terms) = a/(1-r)
= 5/(1-2/5)
= 5/(3/5)
= 5(5/3)
= 25/3