Re: spherical geometry (was Re: navigation riddle)

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

At 10:40 AM 8/14/2004, you wrote:
> Regarding Brian W's version:
>
> >Or how about this one:
> > From a fixed point, head due South, continue in a straight line
> >for one mile: turn due East and continue in that direction for one
> >mile, then turn onto a due South heading and continue straight for
> >one mile, to return to your start point.
> >
> >
> >Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!
>
> Brian, do you really want two southbound legs?  Also, What do you
> mean by the phrase "in that direction for one mile" for the 2nd
> leg?  Do you mean a) along a geodesically straight path, b) always
> going due East, c) along a Euclideanly straight path, d) something
> else?  Do you want the problem performed on the Earth's surface?
>
> David Bowman


 A Southbound start, and a constant Easterly heading,
and another Southbound turn on the Earth's surface,
idealized to be spherical, of course.



Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!