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A "Simple" Math Problem

Blogs > EtherealDeath
Post a Reply
EtherealDeath
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States8366 Posts
February 23 2011 08:22 GMT
#1
The math in the solution does not require anything beyond one's first geometry class in high school (or earlier). Curious though, how long the solution takes people to get!

So, the question:

You have two sound receivers, 1 and 2. One detects a sound t seconds after the other. Assume that the speed of sound propagation is constant throughout this made up world. What curve decribes the possible locations of the sound source? Assumed 2D.


+ Show Spoiler [solution] +

By symmetry and a distinct closer point, it follows that it must either be a parabola or a hyperbola. The definition of a hyperbola is "A hyperbola may be defined equivalently as the locus of points where the difference of the distances to the two foci is a constant equal to 2a, the distance between its two vertices.", thus the solution is half a hyperbola.

Of course it'd be faster if you randomly knew the foci definition of a hyperbola off the top of your head XD


*
Alethios
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
New Zealand2765 Posts
February 23 2011 08:55 GMT
#2
The various definitions of conic characteristic points are required learning in my country in 7th form calculus
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
infinitestory
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States4053 Posts
February 23 2011 08:58 GMT
#3
+ Show Spoiler +

the foci definition of a hyperbola was curriculum material in my algebra 2 class back in middle school

:/
Translator:3
EtherealDeath
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States8366 Posts
February 23 2011 09:01 GMT
#4
On February 23 2011 17:58 infinitestory wrote:
+ Show Spoiler +

the foci definition of a hyperbola was curriculum material in my algebra 2 class back in middle school

:/


I did say it did not require anything remotely advanced t.t

+ Show Spoiler +
What do you get when a rabbit jumps off a tree?

A parabola!

No!

What? But by simple Newtonian mechanics -

You get a red fractal on the ground! bwahahaha
Nerfed
Profile Joined May 2010
Russian Federation1132 Posts
February 23 2011 09:14 GMT
#5
Well, there's no such a thing like "half a hyperbola" in geometry. The solution to your question is "hyperbola". U assumed that 2a=t (which is irrelevant to this question; a stands only for distance between focal points of hyperbola and center of hyperbola, thus doesn't meaning anything beyond that; u can assume that distance between focal points is N*a and noyhing will change), then you assumed that u can divide geometrical figures (which is absurd) and gave the false answer.
Yogurt
Profile Blog Joined June 2005
United States4258 Posts
February 23 2011 09:26 GMT
#6
i figured parabola because sound travels in spherical waves
ok dont not so good something is something ok ok ok gogogo
EtherealDeath
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States8366 Posts
February 23 2011 09:35 GMT
#7
On February 23 2011 18:14 Nerfed wrote:
Well, there's no such a thing like "half a hyperbola" in geometry. The solution to your question is "hyperbola". U assumed that 2a=t (which is irrelevant to this question; a stands only for distance between focal points of hyperbola and center of hyperbola, thus doesn't meaning anything beyond that; u can assume that distance between focal points is N*a and noyhing will change), then you assumed that u can divide geometrical figures (which is absurd) and gave the false answer.



By hyperbola I mean it looks like half a normal one. You can always have the other side go imaginary and thus not show up on the real xy plane.

And yes it is a hyperbola technically. I also didn't assume 2a = t. Vertices of the hyperbola are not the foci. I just quoted the definition literally is all, thus the quote marks.
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