Re: Solution to a problem!!

[brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>]

At 12:53 10/28/98 -0800, Bob wrote:

> I propose that you don't make any assumptions about the solution path. The
> branch of mathematics where the unknown quantity is a function rather then
> a number is the calculus of variations. I've been away from this discipline
> long enough that it would take me quite a while to get up to speed,
> but I would like to hear whether this is a reasonable approach.
>
> A good problem.
>
> Bob Blumenthal

 ...and...

> At 07:35 10/28/98 -0000, Dave wrote:
> > > Since J sprints faster than J rows, J wants to minimize rowing time, and
> > > thus should row directly toward the opposite shore.
>
> If J spends more than 1.8 minutes solving this problem, he/she would have 
> been better off aiming the boat straight and sprinting.
>
> Fun problem, though.

> Dave

NOW we're talking! Add in that J hardly knows the river current speed, 
nor even his rowing speed, and we see that he probably starts out
aiming straight, then when the target is about 10 degrees upcurrent, he
starts rowing with twice that upcurrent heading correction, until his
heading off target doesn't change sensibly, then he holds that heading. Try
THAT with calculus!   :-)


brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK