- #1
Gersty
- 47
- 1
Why is the solution to the brachistochrone problem a curve at all? If the idea is to get from a higher point to a lower point under the influence of gravity alone, why is a straight line not quicker than a cycloid? It seems counter-intuitive that the shortest time would be along a curve and not a straight line. Even more so if that curve contains a segment where the object is moving upwards, and being slowed by gravity.