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So You Think You're Smart, eh?

Happy New Year to all. This post marks the first in an ongoing series of fun puzzles. After a week, I'll post my answer. Ready?

Buzz is a bee sitting on the front of the engine pulling the New York Chief train. The train is traveling 55 mph towards Los Angeles. Buzz is just going along for the ride -- for now.

Across the country, the L.A. Express is headed for New York. In fact, it's on the same track as the New York Chief. It's traveling at 45 mph. At exactly the point where the trains are 3000 miles apart, Buzz begins flying in a straight line towards the L.A. Express. Once it reaches the other train, it turns around and flies back towards the N.Y. Chief. Back and forth it goes until the trains...meet.

Assuming that both trains travel in a straight line (forgetting about the curvature of the earth) and assuming that neither train varies from its speed throughout the course of the trip, assuming that Buzz stops instantly when meeting one train and, without any loss of speed, reverses direction), and further assuming that Buzz flies at 65 mph, the questions is...

How far will Buzz have traveled by the time the two trains meet?

This isn't a trick question and no other information is required other than what I've provided.

The first person whose comment reflects the correct answer will receive a fabulous prize (using a rather loose definition of "fabulous"). OK, smarties, get cracking!

Comments
charlie griefer's Gravatar using the modularity equality principal (and a liberal amount of rounding)... i get 1948 miles.
# Posted By charlie griefer | 1/1/09 3:39 AM
Hal's Gravatar As useful as the Modularity Equality Principle is (look for my upcoming framework that makes extensive use of the MEP to assure that all modula are obsequiated), I think you might try a different approach.
# Posted By Hal | 1/1/09 4:25 AM
Brad Wood's Gravatar I came up with 1,950 miles and I didn't round at all. :)
# Posted By Brad Wood | 1/1/09 4:44 AM
Andrew's Gravatar It's definitely 1950. You can just calculate the time till the two trains collide (30hrs) and then figure out how far Buzz can travel in 30hrs at 65mph.
# Posted By Andrew | 1/1/09 5:35 AM
charlie griefer's Gravatar obviously a flaw in the modularity equality principal. that, and i need to upgrade from my pentium II.
# Posted By charlie griefer | 1/1/09 6:28 AM
Jim Priest's Gravatar Sorry guys. I hit Buzz on the way to work this morning. He's splattered all over my windshield.
# Posted By Jim Priest | 1/2/09 4:21 PM
Peter's Gravatar The real question here is what kind of geek dorks sit home on new years eve and figures out math problems. :P
# Posted By Peter | 1/2/09 4:31 PM
Brad Wood's Gravatar @Peter: Well apparently, I fall in that category of geeks... :)
If it helps, it only took a couple minutes.
# Posted By Brad Wood | 1/2/09 5:47 PM
Peter's Gravatar sorry if I offended anyone (Brad)...lol.
I am still drunk from the 31st. ;)
# Posted By Peter | 1/2/09 6:37 PM
Hal's Gravatar I'm offended that you don't think I'm as drunk as you are! So there.
# Posted By Hal | 1/2/09 7:38 PM
Brad Wood's Gravatar Pray tell, Hal. Did we hit the proverbial nail anywhere close to the head?
I'm dying to know just how loosely you define "fabulous"! :)
# Posted By Brad Wood | 1/13/09 4:11 AM
Hal's Gravatar Yes, you smart people got it. It appears, Brad, that you got it first. (Charlie was sadly led astray by the Modularity Equality Principle.)

For your fabulous prize...(drumroll, please)...

You get a *signed* (by me) piece of paper...err...Certificate of Smartitude, suitable for framing (or use in the smallest room in your house).

Email me your address info and I'll start the frustratingly-slow process of getting me to actually send it.
# Posted By Hal | 1/13/09 12:21 PM
 
   
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