Interesting, around 30:00, the two missiles question, 9k and 21k mph, starting 1317 miles apart, how far apart 1 minute before colliding. The solution being 500 miles. The 1317 being unnecessary to solving. You note if they were only 317 miles apart it would be a problem. Actually as much diversion and logic as the 1317, with the answer being given. Approaching each other at 500 mph, from 317 miles apart. That is how far apart they would be at one minute before colliding, taking less than 1 minute to close the distance.
Wonderful talk. Martin Gardner inspired lots of people in my home country too and made my childhood colorful.
I enjoyed many of his books on math and puzzles. Only wish I had found them sooner, when they could have made math more fun.
Interesting, around 30:00, the two missiles question, 9k and 21k mph, starting 1317 miles apart, how far apart 1 minute before colliding. The solution being 500 miles. The 1317 being unnecessary to solving. You note if they were only 317 miles apart it would be a problem. Actually as much diversion and logic as the 1317, with the answer being given. Approaching each other at 500 mph, from 317 miles apart. That is how far apart they would be at one minute before colliding, taking less than 1 minute to close the distance.
meh, lacks teeth