Mike's Yacht, Sailboat Distance Minimization

  • Thread starter Thread starter thomasrules
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
Mike's yacht is traveling west at 6 km/h while a sailboat moves southwest at 4 km/h, initially positioned 3 km northwest of the yacht. The problem involves calculating the minimum distance between the two boats using the Pythagorean theorem. The initial calculations for the sailboat's position and velocity need adjustments, particularly in determining the correct speed and direction. It's important to clearly define the coordinate system and label the boats in the final answer for clarity. The discussion emphasizes the need for precise mathematical representation in solving the problem.
thomasrules
Messages
243
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Mike, who i standing on the deck of a yacth that is traveling due west at 6km/h, sees a sailboat sailing southwestat 4km/h, 3km northwest of the yacht. How close to each other do these boats get?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


My drawing is:
| A(2.12-4t,2.12-4t)
| / \
| / \
|/__\B(4.24-6t,0)

Used pythagorean theorem to find t D^2=(2.12-4t-0)^2+(2.12-4t-(4.24-6t))^2

Correct so far?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
You have sailboat A with a velocity of <-4, -4>. That gives a speed of
\sqrt{16+ 16}= 4\sqrt{2}, not 4. You need to multiply by
\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, just like you did with the initial position.

And it would be a good idea to specifically state, in your final answer, which sailboat is A and which B and how your coordinate system is set up.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
10K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
12K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K