More Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School (Wayside School 2.60)

“Let’s see you raise the flag,” said Stephen.

“I would,” said Jason, “but my arm hurts from playing Nintendo.”

“I agree with Stephen,” said Todd. “We should get a short flagpole. That way it won’t get hit by lightning again.”

“Lightning never strikes the same place twice,” said Deedee.

“Sometimes it does,” said Todd. “I heard about a man who was struck by lightning twice. The first time he lived, but the second time he died. And then, fifty years later, lightning struck his tombstone.”

“Yeah, but he was in a different place all three times,” Deedee pointed out. “The flagpole is always in the same place.”

“But it’s a different flagpole,” said Dameon.

“So, that doesn’t make any difference,” said Deedee. “Does it, Mrs. Jewls?”

“Huh?” asked Mrs. Jewls.

“If lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice, which is more important: the place; or the thing being struck by it?”

“Say what?” asked Mrs. Jewls. She told everyone to write down what he or she thought would be the perfect flagpole height.

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This chart shows the results.

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6 Ft............................ Stephen

10 Ft.......................... Dana

25 Ft.......................... Todd, Eric Fry, Allison, Rondi, Myron, Benjamin, Sue

30 Ft.......................... Dameon

50 Ft.......................... Bebe, Calvin

60 Ft.......................... Joe, John

65 Ft.......................... Kathy

75 Ft.......................... Sharie, Mac, Joy

80 Ft., 6 inches.......... D.J.

85 Ft.......................... Leslie, Paul, Eric Ovens, Terrence

91 Ft.......................... Eric Bacon

100 Ft........................ Deedee, Ron, Jenny, Maurecia,

Jason

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(You will need to refer to the chart in order to answer the next 6 questions. There are no clues or hints for this set of problems.)

PROBLEM 38