The Legacy of Newton, Gallileo, and Leibniz: Quiz
Problem 2
In a handicapped sporting contest, such as sailing, a competitor with a better previous winning record receives a shorter head start than a competitor with a worse record. In an ideal race, all the boats would cross the finish line at exactly the same time.
Suppose that in a 43-km sailing race the first boat out has a 5-minute head start on the best boat. The average speed of the first boat is 12 knots, or 22.22 kilometers per hour.
Assuming both boats travel at a constant speed in an ideal race,
- What is the best boat's finishing time?
- What is the best boat's average speed?
- At what time is the best boat within 200 meters of the lead boat?
- What handicap would the lead boat receive over the best boat in a 100-km race?