What Determines the Distance Between Two People Based on Interference Patterns?

[bfr]

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

wave velocity = frequency * wave length

The Attempt at a Solution

Well...I'm not sure. I know how you could find the distance to the person to the right using trigonometric, but I don't know how to actually answer the question (mathematically). Interference might have something to do with it?

 

[Antenna Guy]

The width of the doorway (in wavelengths) should be important.

Consider having one whistle, and two echos (one from each side).

Regards,

Bill

 

[alphysicist]

The Attempt at a Solution

Well...I'm not sure. I know how you could find the distance to the person to the right using trigonometric, but I don't know how to actually answer the question (mathematically). Interference might have something to do with it?

Yes; the sound wave is passing through a wide slit, so this is a single-slit diffracion problem.