bi50xrs@sdcc3.UUCP (rich) (10/29/85)
interesting problem. well let's see. it seems to me that what you just described is the geometrical proof for the focus points of an ellipse without stating that it needs to be an ellipse. nevertheless, the proof follows that as long as the surface is continuous and that the distances are measured accurately, the focus always will match the distance. because the angles are 90 degrees, the sum of the triangles' areas must equal the area of the surface. so that the two distances must equal. phil
vsh@pixel.UUCP (vsh) (10/31/85)
> interesting problem. well let's see. it seems to me that > what you just described is the geometrical proof for the > focus points of an ellipse without stating that it needs > to be an ellipse. nevertheless, the proof follows that as > long as the surface is continuous and that the distances are > measured accurately, the focus always will match the distance. > because the angles are 90 degrees, the sum of the triangles' > areas must equal the area of the surface. so that the two distances > must equal. > phil I don't follow you at all. There are three fixed points in the Pirate problem, the forest, the rock, and the treasure. What's what?? Please elucidate. -- Steve Harris | {allegra|ihnp4|cbosgd|ima|genrad|amd|harvard}!\ Pixel Systems Inc. | wjh12!pixel!vsh 300 Wildwood Street | Woburn, MA 01801 | 617-933-7735 x2314