Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site rabbit.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!eagle!allegra!alice!rabbit!ark From: ark@rabbit.UUCP (Andrew Koenig) Newsgroups: net.puzzle Subject: Avoiding the Axe Murderer Message-ID: <2519@rabbit.UUCP> Date: Thu, 16-Feb-84 12:21:25 EST Article-I.D.: rabbit.2519 Posted: Thu Feb 16 12:21:25 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 18-Feb-84 01:09:27 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill Lines: 10 A woman is in a rowboat in a circular lake. On the shore is a man with an axe, out to kill her. He can run four times as fast as she can row, and starts at the point on shore nearest her initial position. If she can reach any point on shore before he does, she can outrun him and escape. Is there a strategy that will ensure her survival? Assume that both people know both of their positions accurately at all time, that the shore is unobstructed all around the lake, that either of them can reverse direction instantly, and that it takes no time for the woman to get out of the boat and start running.