Solving a Simple Kinematics Problem: When Will Three Turtles Collide?

AI Thread Summary
Three turtles start at the vertices of an equilateral triangle and move towards each other with constant velocity. The problem asks when they will collide, and initial attempts to solve it have been unsuccessful. A suggested approach involves calculating the change in area of the triangle over time to determine when it reaches zero. By analyzing the relationship between the turtles' movements and the area, the time of collision can be derived. This method focuses on understanding the dynamics of their paths rather than just their velocities.
Leotav
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Homework Statement


So the problem says that three turtles starts to move each from a vertice of a equilateral triangle with a constant velocity v as shown in the pic. They move towards each other ( the first one moves towards the second the second towars the third and so on ). It asks: When they are going to collide?

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1038/77228846fl6.jpg"

Homework Equations


none


The Attempt at a Solution


all my tries were unsuccessful that's why I am asking for help ;p

tips are welcome
thanks in advance
 
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Never. I don't see why they should.
 
I forgot to mention that they're not going stay moving only on the triangle path, sorry.
 
Calculate the change of area A of the triangle as a function of time, and then solve for t when A=0.

If each has moved dx in time dt with speed v, what's dA/dt?
 
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