[net.puzzle] 30 mph / 60 mph problem

ndiamond@watdaisy.UUCP (Norman Diamond) (03/26/85)

> Ah, but if you travel at 186,000 mps you WILL make it. Why?
> lim t = 0       {limit of t as velocity goes to the speed of light = 0}
> v>c

Do you mean that 186,000 mps == infinity mps?

1 second = 0 seconds?

Suppose I am going very fast, and consider either your frame of reference
or mine.  From your frame of reference, I take 1/186,000 of a second (not
0 seconds) to cover 1 of your miles.  From my frame of reference, I cover
0 miles.  Well, let's say I'm going almost as fast.  Then, while my time
progresses very slowly, I still only see a short distance.  1 of my miles
might be 1 of your light-years, and it'll still take a while.

-- 

   Norman Diamond

UUCP:  {decvax|utzoo|ihnp4|allegra}!watmath!watdaisy!ndiamond
CSNET: ndiamond%watdaisy@waterloo.csnet
ARPA:  ndiamond%watdaisy%waterloo.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa

"Opinions are those of the keyboard, and do not reflect on me or higher-ups."