Calculate the number of rungs in the ladder ?

Question

There has been a building on fire. The fireman is now standing in the middle rung of the ladder and trying to extinguish the fire. He climbs 6 rungs more but the heat and deadly flames make him climb down 10 rungs. When the fire is settling gradually, he climbs 18 rungs and reaches the top of the ladder for better access to the building.

Calculate the number of rungs in the ladder ?

Answer 1

There are 29 rungs. He was standing in the middle of the ladder. Then he climbs 6 up and 10 down=4 downs and then he climbs 18 ups so there are 14 rungs above and below the middle rung. 14+1+14=29.

Answer 2

There are 28 rungs in a Ladder

He was in middle, so let assume it has point x
Then he climbs up 6 rungs, and then 10rungs down.

which is x+6, and then x+6-10=x-4.

then he reaches top by climbing 18rungs, that is x-4+18=x+14.

now, as he was in middle i.e. x and reached top i.e. x+14 means

total # of rungs= 14*2 = 28.