How far does the fly fly in the end?

  • Thread starter TSN79
  • Start date
In summary, the two cyclists and the fly all start 20km away from each other and travel towards each other at different speeds. The fly flies back and forth between the cyclists until they eventually meet. With the given speeds, the fly will have flown a total of 15km by the time the cyclists meet. The von Neumann method can also be used to solve this problem with different speeds for the cyclists.
  • #1
TSN79
424
0
Two cyclists start cycling towards each other with an even speed of 10km/h. They start of 20km away from each other. At the same time a fly starts from one of them and flies to the other one, back to the first, and so on until they meet. How far has the fly flown in the end if it flew with a speed of 15km/h?

I'm thinking it has to be 15km, since the two guys will meet half way after 1 hour, and the fly flies 15km in one hour. Can someone confirm this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
i confirm, you got it right :biggrin:
 
  • #3
Just for fun, did anyone try the von Neumann method to solve the problem - with different speeds for the cyclists? :)
 
  • #4
Not yet, but as you said, it should be done - just for fun.
 
  • #5
Tide said:
Just for fun, did anyone try the von Neumann method to solve the problem - with different speeds for the cyclists? :)

That is exactly how my calc 2 teacher introduced us to series, starting with that question then telling the story about Von Neumann.
 

1. How far can a fly fly in one day?

The average distance a fly can fly in one day is about 5 miles.

2. What factors affect the distance a fly can fly?

The distance a fly can fly is affected by factors such as wind speed, temperature, and availability of food sources.

3. Can a fly fly long distances?

Yes, some species of flies are known to migrate long distances, with some species traveling up to 10,000km.

4. How does a fly fly?

A fly flies by using its wings, which it flaps at a high frequency of up to 200 beats per second, creating lift and allowing it to fly.

5. What is the maximum speed a fly can fly?

The maximum speed a fly can fly is about 4.5 miles per hour, though this may vary depending on the species of fly.

Similar threads

  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
541
  • Classical Physics
Replies
3
Views
665
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
5
Views
804
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
2
Replies
57
Views
2K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
14
Views
714
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
40
Views
3K
Back
Top