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Nerdy Math Problem

Blogs > Byo
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 Next All
Byo
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Canada211 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
Canada211 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
Canada211 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
Canada211 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.
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