[net.math] Bizzare Polar Bear Answer

overlord@nmtvax.UUCP (11/19/85)

> The old Polar Bear Problem:
> The sequel:  (1) From how many points on Earth (assuming it's spherical, etc.)
> 		 can you make exactly these moves, i.e., walk 1 mile south, 1
> 		 mile west, 1 mile north, and be back where you started?
> 
>              (2) Describe all of them.
> 
> Judith Abrahms
> {ucbvax,ihnp4}!dual!proper!judith

One answer that I have thought of that hasn't been posted yet is:

     any point a circle of radius 1 mile from the south pole.

     start there, walk one mile south (you are now at the south pole)
     walk 1 mile west (UNDEFINED!! there is no west, or you walk an
     infinately many times around a circle of radius zero) then walk
     one mile north to the original spot.

or using the 1 mile south plus 1 mile/n (integral number of revolutions)
and then 1 mile north method, assume that n is infinate therefore the
radius is zero.

      Stretch it to the limit!!!
         but, but?  the limit goes to infinity!!!
             SOOOO? this is math, not reality.

                                      Alan Kerr
                                      Chemistry/Computer Science/Math major
                                      New Mexico Tech

-- 
...{convex,ucbvax,gatech,csu-cs,anl-mcs}!unmvax!nmtvax!overlord
                         ...{purdue,cmc12}!lanl!nmtvax!overlord