If the distances are real AND accurate then I don't think the problem can be
solved without sophisticated equipment under the rules of the problem. If
the distances are real then I think that if the assumption is made that the
earth is a sphere, and if the equatorial diameter is taken as a constant
diameter, then distances can be converted to degree equivalents. Using the
lat/longs of the cities it should be possible to plot their positions
reasonably accurately on a stereo net. Using the distances given on the
sign, and having converted these to degrees, one would then draw on the
stereo net the required small circles surrounding each city. The small
circles should have a unique intersection point which marks the location of
the sign. This assumes the distances on the sign are reat circles and that
my assumption of the earth's diameter is not too inaccurate.
A stereo net is hardly a piece of sophisticated equipment but I still think
it probably violates the rules of the competition. I have not bothered to
attempt the above because, like John Haynes, I think it is a trick question:
The problem does not state that the sign is indicating distances from the
location of the sign. Nor is it stated that it is a signpost; none of the
wording is "TO Paris...." etc.
The wording of the problem is simply : "you come upon a sign that says the
following". The sign could be in a junk shop!.
Nor is it stated that the wording is intact: is it "Paris x miles via
Edinburgh", "Moscow y miles by train and canal boat", "Sydney z miles by
great circle route"
It seems to me the wording of the problem is deliberately vague. This is
the sort of wording in contracts that makes obscene amounts of money for
lawyers! I support John Haynes's answer: If you know where you are then
that is where the sign is. If you don't know where you are then the sign is
still there but YOU are lost!!
------------------------
John Elliot
Anzeco Pty. Limited
mineral exploration consulting services
Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Thoen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "MapInfo-L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2001 3:30 AM
Subject: MI-L A Mapping Puzzle for Savants
> Here's an interesting mapping problem that was in this Sunday's
> "Ask Marilyn" (newspaper) column.
>
> Say you come upon a sign that says the following:
> Paris 4658 miles
> Moscow 5438 miles
> Tel Aviv 6681 miles
> Hong Kong 7878 miles
> Sydney 8746 miles
> Johannesburg 9092 miles
>
> How would you determine where the sign is located?
..........snipped...........
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