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Ponder This

June 1999

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Ponder This Challenge:

There was a sports competition lasting N days (and N > 1). After the first day they handed out 1 medal and 1/7 of the rest of the medals. After the second day they gave away 2 medals and 1/7 of the rest of the medals, and so forth.

Finally on the Nth day they handed out the remaining N medals.

How many days did the competition last, and how many medals in total were awarded?

FYI: Although this problem may appear simple at first, the solution is actually fairly complex.


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Challenge: 06/01/99 @ 12:00 AM EST
Solution: 07/01/99 @ 12:00 AM EST
List Updated: 07/01/99 @ 12:00 AM EST

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