The Situation
Joe Doodlebug is an imaginary, and somewhat strange bug. These are his capabilities and limitations in his world.
His world is flat.
He can only jump (not crawl, fly, walk, roll, or otherwise locomotor across or under the surface of his world.)
He cannot turn around.
He can jump very large distances or very small distances, but not less than one inch per jump nor more than 500 feet per jump.
He can jump in only four perfectly-true directions - north, south, east, and west.
He cannot jump diagonally (e.g., southeast, northwest)
He likes to average 15 feet per jump on a good day.
There are no other doodlebugs, or other creatures, to help him.
Once he starts in any direction, he must jump four times in that same direction before he can switch to another direction.
Joe is totally dependent on his owner to provide his food source.
The Problem
Joe has been out jumping all over the place while getting some much-needed exercise. As a matter of fact, Joe has worked up a voracious appetite. Much to his pleasure, his owner appears and places a large pile of delectable food three fee, seven inches directly west of him. Joe wants the food, and he wants it fast. As soon as Joe sees all this wonderful food, he stops dead in his tracks (he is facing north). After all his exercise he is very hungry, and even weak. Therefore, he wants to get to the food as quickly as he possibly can, minimizing especially the number of jumps he makes (it’s the starting of a jump - the spring required in his legs - that takes the most energy). After briefly surveying the situation, he realizes that he cannot - at this point - jump due west. Suddenly he exclaims, “I’ve got it. I’ll only have to jump four times to get the food!”
Your Task
Accept the fact that Joe was a smart bug, and dead right in his conclusions. Why did Joe Doodlebug have to take precisely four jumps in order to reach the food with a minimum expenditure of energy? Describe the circumstances that Joe must have been in to reach this conclusion.
2007-05-26 18:35:47 · 9 answers · asked by Pedro S 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Jokes & Riddles
Joe appears to have just finished the first in a series of four jumps. He is facing north, but is jumping sideways, moving toward the east. Therefore, he must continue to make three more sideways jumps to the east, and then one large sideways jump back to the west to reach the food.
2007-05-26 19:15:28 · answer #1 · answered by Alice K 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Starred so I can come back for the answer. Sounds like a good one, but I'm too brain dead tonight to work it out.
2007-05-27 01:43:18 · answer #2 · answered by Captain Happy Pants 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what? Too many details which causes cofusion and frustration. Leading to complete exaperation and a grab for Raid.
2007-05-27 02:20:46 · answer #3 · answered by Sugar & Molly's mom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What the heck?! I'm not a rocket scientist. Ask some genius about this.
2007-05-27 01:41:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also feel tired and very weak after reading this....hey I forgot what you wanted to ask!!!
2007-05-27 01:57:32 · answer #5 · answered by 【ツ】ρεαcε! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can someone else work it out, its all too much for me.
2007-05-27 02:17:20 · answer #6 · answered by pecanchew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he jumped backwards
i really dont know
you stumped me
2007-05-27 01:45:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He jumps forward once then 3x to the side.......!!!!!!!
2007-05-27 05:32:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ahhhh, i'm so confused!!!!
2007-05-27 02:07:11 · answer #9 · answered by bpositive 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋