Can You Calculate the Height? This ice cream cone puzzle looks easy at first, but many people make a mistake by simply multiplying the height of one cone by six. The trick is that the cones nest inside one another, so each additional cone adds only a small amount to the total height.
The first picture shows that one complete cone is 12 centimeters tall. The middle stack contains three cones and measures 20 centimeters in total. Since the bottom cone contributes 12 centimeters, the two additional cones together add just 8 centimeters. Divide 8 by 2, and we discover that each extra cone adds 4 centimeters to the stack.
Now comes the final challenge: the last stack contains six cones. It starts with one full cone measuring 12 centimeters, followed by five additional cones. Since each extra cone adds 4 centimeters, those five cones contribute another 20 centimeters (5 × 4 = 20).
Finally, add the two measurements: 12 + 20 = 32 centimeters. 🎯 So, the correct height of the stack of six ice cream cones is 32 centimeters, not 72! The secret is remembering that the cones fit inside each other rather than sitting separately on top of one another.