A retired engineer designs a gear system where each gear has 5 more teeth than the previous. The first gear has 20 teeth. What is the total number of teeth on the first 10 gears?

Mon, 04 May 2026 23:44:20 +0000

**Why a Retired Engineer’s Gear System Is Turning Heads—and What It Reveals About Innovation** When everyday engineers turn toward precision design later in life, something fascinating unfolds: complex patterns built on simple arithmetic. A retired engineer recently shared a clever gear system where each successive gear adds five more teeth than the last—starting at 20. What begins as a quiet curiosity quickly caught attention online. This isn’t just a math puzzle; it reflects a growing interest in how foundational engineering principles shape real-world innovation. If you’ve ever admired how machines work, this system offers a tangible example of incremental design thinking—one that resonates deeply in a tech-driven economy. ### Why This Gear Design Is gaining attention—then and now In a world increasingly shaped by mechanical precision and smart automation, gear systems remain a cornerstone of engineering. The simplicity of a linear increase—adding five teeth per gear—makes it accessible yet powerful. With smartphones and digital tools making complex calculations effortless, interest in tangible problem-solving has surged. Engineers and hobbyists alike are drawn to systems that blend logic with physical logic. This gear sequence isn’t just theoretical; it mirrors how real-world transmissions and machinery evolve, where small, consistent adjustments create reliable function. As interest in STEM and legacy engineering endures—especially among middle-age innovators—this kind of modular design stands out as both approachable and impactful.