Remember that after the snail climbs the last 36 in (17' to 20') - it is out of the well. It does not slide back down.A snail is in a 20ft well, he decides to go up the well, going 3 inches per hour, for 12 daylight hours, during the nighttime, he slips down 2 inches per hour for 12 nighttime hours, how long does it take him to escape?
Agree! Drawing a diagram, followed by careful thinking about what happens every 12 hours might just lead to a brainstorm.Algebra may help, but this problem also requires a bit of common sense!