The Power of Pennies, or Don't You Want to End Up Rich? Math Genius Challenge Number 2

     It's always fun to dream about getting rich.  Most of my dreams involve buying a winning lottery ticket...sigh...but that's most likely NOT going to happen.  Not to me, and not to you!  So, all you math geniuses, I thought today we could look at the power of pennies!

    One of my favorite questions of all time is:  would you rather have $1,000,000 or would you rather get a penny the first day, that doubles everyday thereafter, for a month?  Most people choose the $1,000,000.  I did too, until I did the math.  It's a simple lesson - just complete this table - and then...you tell me which you'd rather have!  Make sure you include what day made you change your mind!  (And then start saving those pennies!!!!)

DAY #                                 AMOUNT                         TOTAL
  1                                             $.01                             $.01
  2                                             $.02                             $.03
  3                                             $.04                             $.07
  4                                             $.08                             $.15
  5                                             $.16                             $.31

You continue this pattern until Day 31.   :-)

Good luck!

Susan Curtis