Fun Math Quiz

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gene_mathis
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Joined: 05/17/2002 - 05:00
Posts: 2143
Fun Math Quiz

Two windsurfers on opposite tacks but heading directly toward each other. Each windsurfer is going 25 MPH. They are closing at 50 MPH, 50 MPH is about 25 yards (1/4 of a football field) PER SECOND. Windsurfer A thinks it's fun to aim directly at Windsurfer B. Windsurfer B does not think this is fun.

Throw in some additional variables,

It's really windy,
or
It's gusty and when a gust hits, windsurfers have a tendency to point up wind to kill the gusts. Both windsurfer A and windsurfer B get hit by the same gust at the same time.
or
Windsurfer B is sailing toward the launch at Van Pugh late in the afternoon and is sailing into the setting sun, and cannot really see windsurfer A.
or
windsurfer B does not have his glasses on.
and
Windsurfer B gets pissed off easily.

What could possibly go wrong?

Gene

Gene Mathis

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Randy's picture
Randy
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Joined: 05/05/2002 - 10:38
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Re: Fun Math Quiz

Well, I am sort of an expert on this and I did some additional reading on it. If the two windsurfers were to collide, it would produce the same force as windsurfer A falling from a seven story building on windsurfer B. It might not have a happy ending.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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gene_mathis
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Joined: 05/17/2002 - 05:00
Posts: 2143
Re: Fun Math Quiz

Randy has the correct answer, no happy ending. It would probably hurt.

Just to clarify, there was no crash and really not even a close call. I just do not like having to guess which direction to go and do think it is a safety issue especially when it is windy and gusty.

When sailing toward another windsurfer, I try to make it obvious which side i plan to pass on. Of course there is the starboard tack has right of way rule, but let's just give other sailors space. Even if you officially had right of way, it would still hurt.

Gene

Gene Mathis

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