New to the board; I hope this isn't a repeat

[Harry077]

Brain Teaser - Rabbit in the Box

[Harry077]

Let's try this again. This is from an old calculus class I took and has to do with functions. Imagine a rabbit in a three-foot long box. The box has a hole a both ends large enough for the rabbit to stick it's head out. Using a stop watch, a man how long it takes for the rabbit to stick it's head from each hole. After exactly 60 seconds, the bunny's head pops through the left hole and is instantly pulled back in. After another 30 seconds the bunny's head emerges from the right hole and is again pulled immediately back in. 15 seconds later, left hole, and 7.5 seconds later, right hole. The question is: if the progress continues as-is, how much total time will elapse before the rabbit's head is sticking out of both holes at the same time? The first correct answer gets a cookie.

[Lord V.P]

Hi Harry077 welcome to the board.
As for your little brain-teaser I think that I have the answer but will leave it a while, don't want to spoil it for the rest.

------------------
My own defiant war cry: F**kiiiit!

[Lord Nyarlathotep]

It would seem that half way there is never quite there. So.... Never?

------------------
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl fhtagn."

[Lord Nyarlathotep]

Opps! I left my brain in my other pants...

Make that 2 minutes. http://www.brianlumley.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl fhtagn."

[Harry077]

You're right on both counts. In a "limit" exercise, you will get closer and closer to two minutes but never reach quite reach it. In a practical application, however, when the stop watch gets to two minutes, the rabbit would have his head out both holes at the same time...but only if you like splitting hares. http://www.brianlumley.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Pybob]

<font color=440066>Oh dear - did you start this post just to get the joke in? lol

Very, er, droll! http://www.brianlumley.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Great q though - I once bought a book on Infinity, theories, quandries and paradoxes... I'll have to hunt it out and return the favour... http://www.brianlumley.com/ubb/smile.gif</font>

------------------
The more it stays the same the less it changes...
Spinal Tap

[Lord Nyarlathotep]

If the rabbit had a leach I bet it could get it's head through both holes even sooner!

[Harry077]

You know what they say; "A pun is the lowest form of wit." Does that make a bun the lowest form of wheat?