The tail of a giant kangaroo is attached by a giant rubber band to a stake in the ground. A
flea is sitting on top of the stake eyeing the kangaroo (hungrily). The kangaroo sees the flea
leaps into the air and lands one mile from the stake (with its tail still attached to the stake by
the rubber band). The flea does not give up the chase but leaps into the air and lands on the
stretched rubber band one inch from the stake. The giant kangaroo, seeing this, again leaps
into the air and lands another mile from the stake (i.e., a total of two miles from the stake).
The flea is undaunted and leaps into the air again, landing on the rubber band one inch further
along. Once again the giant kangaroo jumps another mile. The flea again leaps bravely into
the air and lands another inch along the rubber band. If this continues indefinitely, will the flea
ever catch the kangaroo? (Assume the earth is flat and continues indefinitely in all directions.)
4 answers
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