Help needed for this!!

[ginvodka]

A journey man set out on a trip and stopped only when he returned to his starting point. During that journey his head travelled 36 feet further than his feet, yet his feet remained attached to his body. What is the explanation??


Thanks in advance

[Gizmonster]

He walked around the circumference of the earth (or any other sphere) .... explanation to follow .....

[ginvodka]

Looking forward to the explanation Gizmonster!

[Gizmonster]

Assume radius of earth = r feet
If the man walks around the circumference of the earth, is feet would travel:
(2 x pi x r) feet
Assume height of man = h feet
His head is r + h feet from the centre of the earth, so on the same journey, his head would travel:(2 x pi x (r + h)) feet = (2 x pi x r) + (2 x pi x h)
The difference in distance that the feet and gead have travelled:
= (2 x pi x r) + (2 x pi x h) - (2 x pi x r) = 2 x pi x h

Assume pi = 3.14 and man's height = 6 feet:
Head travels an extra (2 x 3.14 x 6 ) feet = near enough 36 feet (depending on what height you assume for the man)

[Gizmonster]

A few typos in there but I'm sure you'll get it :)

[ginvodka]

Thank you so much for that. Should have fun trying to explain that to my 12 year old, who got this as part of Maths Homework!!!!

[Gizmonster]

Prob easiest way to explain it would be to draw a circle representing the earth and say that this is where the feet pass.
Then draw a slightly bigger circle around this one and say that this is where the head travels.
The outer circle is obviously bigger than the inner one - it's just maths from there.
Good luck :)