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Randy · 25-03-2016, 08:44

I like your answer Dockhead

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hamburking · 25-03-2016, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy

Hamburking, the question was not "what is the shortest course or distance to some point" it was "If you head 'due east' from New York City , where will you hit land?"

Once you understand the concept, then the answer makes sense.

In the northern hemisphere, starting at NYC (40N) and you want to end up in Lisbon (40N), you would have to embark on a path several degrees north of east (070T actually). The game show did not say go 070. The game show said EAST (090). If you actually head 090, you will end up quite a bit south by the time you get across the pond, at 14N, Senegal, if you continue on a straight line.

I do agree the question is wrong. You would need to adjust course along the way to continue going "in a straight line". As others have said, a few key words are the difference here.

bobmcd625 · 25-03-2016, 08:49

Surely, "Due East" means a geographic direction of 90 degrees True. Travel along the same latitude. That means Lisbon is the right answer. Can't see what the fuss is about. "Elementary, dear Watson!"

**Dockhead** · 25-03-2016, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by valhalla360

As I said...Semantics.

There is a technical difference but for most common usage they are the same. If you tell someone you are headed east, they don't ask if that's heading or COG as in most situations, they are pretty close to the same.

Of course, that's the crux of the entire question. They are playing with technicalities to trick the person into giving the wrong answer.

The difference between COG and heading is a lot more than a minor technicality. But this is rather off topic so I'll stop there.

**Dockhead** · 25-03-2016, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamburking

Once you understand the concept, then the answer makes sense.

In the northern hemisphere, starting at NYC (40N) and you want to end up in Lisbon (40N), you would have to embark on a path several degrees north of east (070T actually). The game show did not say go 070. The game show said EAST (090). If you actually head 090, you will end up quite a bit south by the time you get across the pond, at 14N, Senegal, if you continue on a straight line.

I do agree the question is wrong. You would need to adjust course along the way to continue going "in a straight line". As others have said, a few key words are the difference here.

I think you're right. The key phrase in your post is "If you continue on a straight line".

It means actually "if you cross the Atlantic on a Great Circle route with an INITIAL heading of 90T".

To maintain that "straight line" you will have to be changing your heading all the time.

deblen · 25-03-2016, 09:03

Next game show question:

Without looking it up,what is the nearest country due south of Detroit,Mich.?

tankersteve · 25-03-2016, 09:22

From the southern edge of the greater metropolitan area of Detroit? Cuba is my best guess.

However, the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada does protrude under the center of Detroit.

Tankersteve

Our Tyme · 25-03-2016, 09:30

Very good Steve: I had to look it up

Here is another one. As before without looking it up, Except for Alaska, What state in the US is closest to the north pole?

Ken

darylat8750 · 25-03-2016, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Our Tyme

Very good Steve: I had to look it up

Here is another one. As before without looking it up, Except for Alaska, What state in the US is closest to the north pole?

Ken

Minnesota

deblen · 25-03-2016, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankersteve

From the southern edge of the greater metropolitan area of Detroit? Cuba is my best guess.

However, the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada does protrude under the center of Detroit.

Tankersteve

Canada is correct.