math challenge

Weeks of November 30 - December 13, 1997

Growing, Growing, Gone

Bailey the botanist has created two new varieties of trees-- the Kudzu Pine and the Snailwood Pine.

He plants both on February 1st in his perfectly controlled greenhouse. The Kudzu Pine grows exactly 6 meters the first year. Every year thereafter, it grows 0.25 times as much as it did in the previous year. The Snailwood Pine grows exactly 5 meters in the first year. Every year thereafter, it grows 0.5 times as much as it did in the previous year.

If the rate of growth is continuous and even during each particular year, when will Bailey's two trees be the same height? After five years, what is their difference in height (to the nearest cm)?


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