Math Is Fun Forum

fallout_boy

Member

Registered: 2007-03-16

Posts: 1

Maths Problem about chain letters?

I have a problem about chain letters. Can someone please help me understand how it is or isn't possible to do this problem.

Here is the problem -
Jim decided to start a chain letter -
First jim prepared a list of names
Second he sent this list and a letter of introduction to three friends.
Third each relative then sent off a letter of introduction to the person whose name was on the top of the list, crossed that name off the top of the list and added his or her name to the bottom of the list.
fourth each friend then sent the list off to three other friends who repeated the process.

If the population of the earth is 6 billion people is it possible for everyone  to recieve a letter.

Please show you did it. Thanks

JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: Maths Problem about chain letters?

So everybody in the world should receive a letter without the process going beyond the 21st stage.

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2007-03-16 18:08:44)

fallout_boy

Member

Registered: 2007-03-16

Posts: 1

Re: Maths Problem about chain letters?

How do you do that in an easier format

JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: Maths Problem about chain letters?

You can try log[sub]10[/sub] instead of ln if that helps a little.

Marto

Guest

Re: Maths Problem about chain letters?

What does those numbers actually mean? I am probably stupid in asking this but how would you work that out on a calculator? And could someone tell me in lamens terms

marto

Guest

Re: Maths Problem about chain letters?

wat steps do you use on your calculator like can someone walk me through that equation