Chasing Problem

1. Jun 5, 2006

hypermonkey2

Heres a problem that could use some light. Say person A at (0,1) is following a person B at (0,0). Person B moves horizontally with a constant speed v (towards the positive x direction). Person A also moves with speed v, but always in the direction pointing at person B (to chase him). How can we describe mathematically the curve thus created?

I hope my explanation of the problem was clear, thanks!

Last edited: Jun 5, 2006
2. Jun 5, 2006

Tide

Do you think A will ever intercept B?

3. Jun 5, 2006

hypermonkey2

I wouldnt think so. Their distance might become infinitely small though, if that means the same thing.

4. Jun 5, 2006

Tide

So one property of the curve would be that it has an asymptote?

5. Jun 5, 2006

hypermonkey2

That would seem to be the case. But even so, we havent been able to solve the differential equation. Can you try a mathematical analysis? This is not homework, haha, no need for the socratic method.

6. Jun 5, 2006

TD

Have a look at http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PursuitCurve.html" [Broken].

Last edited by a moderator: May 2, 2017
7. Jun 6, 2006

hypermonkey2

thanks, ill wrestle with that.