Solution to Problem 9

At any given instant the four bugs form the corners of a square which shrinks and rotates as the bugs move closer together. The path of each pursuer will therefore at all times be perpendicular to the path of the pursued. This tells us that as A, for example, approaches B, there is no component in B's motion which carries B toward or away from A. Consequently A will capture B in the same time that it would take if B had remained stationary. The length of each spiral path will be the same as the side of the square: 10 inches.

Questions and/or comments should be directed to Judy Downey or Griff Elder

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Last modified:   Mon Oct 23 11:20:38 CDT 2000