Problem 4 · 2024 Math Kangaroo
Easy
Logic & Word Problems
path-tracingcareful-counting
Firefighter Fred wants to put out the fire. In the picture on the right, what is the smallest number of ladders he has to climb to reach the fire without jumping?
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Answer: C — 6
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Hint 1 of 2
Start at the firefighter and find every platform you can reach by climbing whole ladders, never jumping.
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Hint 2 of 2
Trace the route to the fire that uses the fewest ladders — each ladder climbed counts as one.
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Approach: trace the shortest ladder path from the firefighter up to the fire
- Begin at the firefighter on the ground and only move along complete ladders between platforms.
- Follow the chain of ladders upward that reaches the fire's platform.
- Counting each ladder used, the shortest such route uses 6 ladders.
- Answer: 6 (C).
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