• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 23:44
CET 04:44
KST 12:44
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt1: New Chaos0Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy7ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT30Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book19Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289
Community News
Weekly Cups (March 16-22): herO doubles, Cure surprises3Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool48Weekly Cups (March 9-15): herO, Clem, ByuN win42026 KungFu Cup Announcement6BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled12
StarCraft 2
General
Potential Updates Coming to the SC2 CN Server What mix of new & old maps do you want in the next ladder pool? (SC2) Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool Weekly Cups (March 16-22): herO doubles, Cure surprises Weekly Cups (August 25-31): Clem's Last Straw?
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament World University TeamLeague (500$+) | Signups Open RSL Season 4 announced for March-April WardiTV Team League Season 10 KSL Week 87
Strategy
Custom Maps
[M] (2) Frigid Storage Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026]
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 518 Radiation Zone Mutation # 517 Distant Threat Mutation # 516 Specter of Death
Brood War
General
Which mirror match you like most or least? How much money terran looses from gas steal? Gypsy to Korea BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ mca64Launcher - New Version with StarCraft: Remast
Tourneys
[ASL21] Ro24 Group C [ASL21] Ro24 Group B [Megathread] Daily Proleagues 2026 Changsha Offline Cup
Strategy
What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Fighting Spirit mining rates Simple Questions, Simple Answers Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2
Other Games
General Games
General RTS Discussion Thread Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Dawn of War IV
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece
Sports
Cricket [SPORT] 2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion Tokyo Olympics 2021 Thread General nutrition recommendations
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Laptop capable of using Photoshop Lightroom?
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Money Laundering In Video Ga…
TrAiDoS
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
FS++
Kraekkling
Shocked by a laser…
Spydermine0240
Unintentional protectionism…
Uldridge
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 5582 users

Nerdy Math Problem

Blogs > Byo
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 Next All
Byo
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Canada210 Posts
April 21 2009 01:48 GMT
#1
I remember long ago someone shared this problem with me and I wasn't able to finish it all. And since people around here seem to be pretty good with these so here it is.

Note I still don't know the answers.

2 People crash land on a planet (person A and B) and end up on 2 random points on the planet (sphere)

Under the following assumptions, what is the quickest way in which person A should find person B

1) person B stands still
2) person B wants to find person A as well
3) person B does not want person A to find him.

coolcrimefighter
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States378 Posts
April 21 2009 01:49 GMT
#2
Its not something gay like "They both can't survive in space so they're both dead" is it?
ShinyGerbil
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Canada519 Posts
April 21 2009 01:53 GMT
#3
under no means is this for sure right, but it seems to me like 1) and 2) are the same, standing still is the most likely way to be found. and under each case, person A should just walk wherever he wants, without retracing his steps.

in 3), person B will just walk randomly, and so will person A...
[s]savior[/s] jaedong fighting! // member of LighT eSports
Fontong
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States6454 Posts
April 21 2009 01:55 GMT
#4
1) Probably person A should call person B and ask them where the fuck they are then go find their lazy ass

2) I guess person A can call person B and they could meet up at a coffee shop or something

3) I guess A has to look for B
[SECRET FONT] "Dragoon bunker"
Zozma
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States1626 Posts
April 21 2009 02:04 GMT
#5
Meet at the wreckage of the spaceship, obviously.
Deleted User 3420
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
24492 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-21 02:08:22
April 21 2009 02:04 GMT
#6
This question is weird. I don't understand how we can answer this without knowing more about the alien planet and the people who have crashed.

Do they have any equipment? What is the terrain like? Is there light? Is there water? Have person A and B discussed a strategy for this situation beforehand?

Are the 3 assumptions all combined into one question? Or are they 3 different scenarios ?
jeppew
Profile Joined April 2009
Sweden471 Posts
April 21 2009 02:08 GMT
#7
1. if B just sits still A will eventually find if he doesn't repeat his steps.


in 2 and 3 they can miss eachother and wander around forever.
Byo
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Canada210 Posts
April 21 2009 02:09 GMT
#8
they are variables.......... ie. under 1) the answer is for A to move in a spiral motion so it takes the least amount of time to cover the surface of the sphere.

I'm guessing 2) means that B will be moving in the same way as A... (they want to find each other)... but what that way is, i don't know.
Fontong
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States6454 Posts
April 21 2009 02:09 GMT
#9
Imo this blog's title should be changed to "Deserted XCII"

And we seriously need an illustration -__-
[SECRET FONT] "Dragoon bunker"
Deleted User 3420
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
24492 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-21 02:14:25
April 21 2009 02:13 GMT
#10
On April 21 2009 11:09 Byo wrote:
they are variables.......... ie. under 1) the answer is for A to move in a spiral motion so it takes the least amount of time to cover the surface of the sphere.



ah so these problems are to be looked at mathematically then ?


It would seem to me that 1, 2, and 3 all have the same answer.
Divinek
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
Canada4045 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-21 02:14:14
April 21 2009 02:13 GMT
#11

Under the following assumptions, what is the quickest way in which person A should find person B

3) person B does not want person A to find him.



so shouldnt it be impossible if B is trying to hide from A?

I mean yeah I guess he's standing still, but what is point of the third option then if he cant hide?
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Oh goodness me, FOX tv where do you get your sight? Can't you keep track, the puck is black. That's why the ice is white.
Byo
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Canada210 Posts
April 21 2009 02:15 GMT
#12
On April 21 2009 11:13 Divinek wrote:
Show nested quote +

Under the following assumptions, what is the quickest way in which person A should find person B

3) person B does not want person A to find him.



so shouldnt it be impossible if B is trying to hide from A?

I mean yeah I guess he's standing still, but what is point of the third option then if he cant hide?


I believe its assumed that they have the same range of vision so if B sees A then A is able to see B
Byo
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Canada210 Posts
April 21 2009 02:17 GMT
#13
On April 21 2009 11:13 travis wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 21 2009 11:09 Byo wrote:
they are variables.......... ie. under 1) the answer is for A to move in a spiral motion so it takes the least amount of time to cover the surface of the sphere.



ah so these problems are to be looked at mathematically then ?


It would seem to me that 1, 2, and 3 all have the same answer.


yup all mathematically... I'm sure they don't have the same answer......
Mastermind
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Canada7096 Posts
April 21 2009 02:20 GMT
#14
what makes this a nerdy question?
sixghost
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
United States2096 Posts
April 21 2009 02:20 GMT
#15
On April 21 2009 11:13 Divinek wrote:
Show nested quote +

Under the following assumptions, what is the quickest way in which person A should find person B

3) person B does not want person A to find him.



so shouldnt it be impossible if B is trying to hide from A?

I mean yeah I guess he's standing still, but what is point of the third option then if he cant hide?

I think the difference in the 3rd problem is that you are supposed to assume that person B will move in a pattern that is not optimal for the two people to meet.
mG.sixghost @ iCCup || One ling, two ling, three ling, four... Camp four gas, then ultra-whore . -Saracen
meeple
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
Canada10211 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-04-21 02:37:16
April 21 2009 02:26 GMT
#16
1) A quick exhaustive search of the sphere is the fastest method, If you imagine the sphere to be composed of a grid, there are a finite number of points to search and no best way to do it. Essentially its like asking whats the quickest way of looking in five holes... just look dammit.

2) The fastest way to find a person is if they stand still. So see the above answer. The reason for this is because this method is guaranteed to end, there are a finite number of places on the sphere and if they stay in one, they will eventually be found, which is why this is the method that search ad rescue crews tell people.

3) Well, you only have two options, you can either stay still or move around pretty randomly, and since staying still means you will eventually be found, then keep moving, and if you're really lucky, you can always avoid the person, but generally speaking you will avoid them for much longer than staying in the same spot.
Deleted User 3420
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
24492 Posts
April 21 2009 02:28 GMT
#17
On April 21 2009 11:20 sixghost wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 21 2009 11:13 Divinek wrote:

Under the following assumptions, what is the quickest way in which person A should find person B

3) person B does not want person A to find him.



so shouldnt it be impossible if B is trying to hide from A?

I mean yeah I guess he's standing still, but what is point of the third option then if he cant hide?

I think the difference in the 3rd problem is that you are supposed to assume that person B will move in a pattern that is not optimal for the two people to meet.



but no such pattern exists when he doesn't know what pattern the other guy will take

all moving does for person B is increase the variance in time it will take for person A to find him. It may make it faster, or it may make it slower. The average amount of time stays the same, no?
Carnivorous Sheep
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Baa?21244 Posts
April 21 2009 02:30 GMT
#18
This isn't math.
TranslatorBaa!
Deleted User 3420
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
24492 Posts
April 21 2009 02:31 GMT
#19
I could understand this problem if:

1.) person B knew where person A landed
2.) person B knew that person A would take a pattern that maximized his odds of finding person B
Athos
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States2484 Posts
April 21 2009 02:37 GMT
#20
2) makes the most sense

If they both want to find each other than they will find each other. Hell, they may know something not mentioned.

And yeah, this is not math.
1 2 3 4 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Replay Cast
00:00
WardiTV Mondays #76
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RuFF_SC2 224
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 5480
Shuttle 381
sSak 61
Noble 43
NaDa 41
Bale 9
Icarus 5
League of Legends
JimRising 598
Counter-Strike
taco 838
Stewie2K437
m0e_tv396
Super Smash Bros
hungrybox1575
Other Games
summit1g10729
WinterStarcraft398
C9.Mang0277
PiGStarcraft204
Maynarde113
ViBE107
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream44
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 17 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH237
• Hupsaiya 63
• EnkiAlexander 56
• musti20045 40
• IndyKCrew
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• intothetv
StarCraft: Brood War
• RayReign 51
• Azhi_Dahaki20
• Diggity4
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Upcoming Events
KCM Race Survival
5h 16m
The PondCast
6h 16m
WardiTV Team League
8h 16m
BASILISK vs Team Liquid
OSC
8h 16m
Replay Cast
20h 16m
WardiTV Team League
1d 8h
Big Brain Bouts
1d 13h
Fjant vs SortOf
YoungYakov vs Krystianer
Reynor vs HeRoMaRinE
RSL Revival
2 days
Cure vs Zoun
herO vs Rogue
WardiTV Team League
2 days
Platinum Heroes Events
2 days
[ Show More ]
BSL
2 days
RSL Revival
3 days
ByuN vs Maru
MaxPax vs TriGGeR
WardiTV Team League
3 days
BSL
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Light vs Calm
Royal vs Mind
Wardi Open
4 days
Monday Night Weeklies
4 days
OSC
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
5 days
Rush vs PianO
Flash vs Speed
Replay Cast
6 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
BeSt vs Leta
Queen vs Jaedong
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-03-24
WardiTV Winter 2026
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
BSL Season 22
CSL Elite League 2026
CSL Season 20: Qualifier 1
ASL Season 21
Acropolis #4 - TS6
RSL Revival: Season 4
Nations Cup 2026
NationLESS Cup
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual

Upcoming

2026 Changsha Offline CUP
CSL Season 20: Qualifier 2
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.