A House on Fire Puzzle

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There has been a house on fire. The fireman is now standing in the middle rung of the ladder and trying to extinguish the fire. He climbs 6 rungs more but the heat and deadly flames make him climb down 10 rungs. When the fire settles gradually, he climbs 18 rungs and reaches the top of the ladder for better access to the house.

Calculate the number of rungs in the ladder.

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    29.

    The total number of rungs (odd) can be assumed as 2x + 1, on which the fireman was on rung x + 1, with ‘x’ rungs each above and below (as he was on the ‘middle rung’). Then he climbed 6 rungs, taking him to rung x + 7. Then he had to climb down 10 rungs, taking him to rung No. (x – 3). Later, he climbed 18 rungs, taking him to rung No. (x + 15), which is supposed to be the top of the ladder (2x + 1). i.e., x + 15 = 2x + 1 => x = 14; 2x + 1 = 29. 

    The fireman was initially on 15th rung, then climbed 6 runs to rung 21, and then climbed down 10 steps to rung 11. Thereafter, he climbed 18 rungs to reach ring 29, reaching the top of the ladder.

    Viji_Pinarayi Expert Answered on 15th November 2024.
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