QOD #21
A.K.A The Amorous Bug Problem
Four "bugs," Stas, May, Peter, and Zahra, occupy the corners of a (small) square beach 100 meters on a side. Since they seem to think that beaches are for doing homework, they have agreed to meet in the center of the beach to do Dr. Davis's physics assignment while the (few of the) rest of the camp who have normal lives decide to go swimming, boogie boarding, and generally to relax and have fun while at the beach.
Stas, May, Peter, and Zahra agree to meet in the following way. Zahra will crawl directly toward Stas, Stas will crawl directly toward May, May will crawl directly toward Peter, and Peter will crawl directly toward Zahra. Ignoring the fact that id a certain TA finds them working at the beach, they'll all be squashed bird food, if all four of them crawl at a constant rate, how far does each bug travel before they meet? This problem can be solved without calculus.
Solution and comments
