Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pixel.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!harvard!talcott!wjh12!pixel!vsh From: vsh@pixel.UUCP (vsh) Newsgroups: net.puzzle Subject: Re: Re: *** The infamous PIRATE PROBLEM *** spoiler Message-ID: <33@pixel.UUCP> Date: Thu, 31-Oct-85 11:44:37 EST Article-I.D.: pixel.33 Posted: Thu Oct 31 11:44:37 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 3-Nov-85 11:04:57 EST References: <3187@think.ARPA> <3060@sdcc3.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Pixel Systems Inc., Woburn, Mass. Lines: 21 > interesting problem. well let's see. it seems to me that > what you just described is the geometrical proof for the > focus points of an ellipse without stating that it needs > to be an ellipse. nevertheless, the proof follows that as > long as the surface is continuous and that the distances are > measured accurately, the focus always will match the distance. > because the angles are 90 degrees, the sum of the triangles' > areas must equal the area of the surface. so that the two distances > must equal. > phil I don't follow you at all. There are three fixed points in the Pirate problem, the forest, the rock, and the treasure. What's what?? Please elucidate. -- Steve Harris | {allegra|ihnp4|cbosgd|ima|genrad|amd|harvard}!\ Pixel Systems Inc. | wjh12!pixel!vsh 300 Wildwood Street | Woburn, MA 01801 | 617-933-7735 x2314