Reflections

• Main Author: Benson, Donald C
• Format: Book Part
• Language: unknown
• Published: Oxford University PressNew York, NY 1999
• Subjects: North Pole
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195117219.003.0002; https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/52346574/isbn-9780195117219-book-part-2.pdf

Abstract Before we offer the main course, we present four mathematical appetizers. In each of the following four examples, based mainly on the Law of Reflection, the solutions depend on surprising geometric insights that lie just below the surface. The Color of the Bear Ada tells Ben about a puzzle that she read in the newspaper, but Ben’s solution jumps to a conclusion. Ada: A hunter leaves his cabin and walks 1 mile south. Then he walks 1 mile east, and, finally, he walks 1 mile north to end up where he started, at his cabin. To his surprise, he finds a bear inside. What is the color of the bear? Ben: The bear must be a white polar bear because the hunter returns to his initial point after traveling 1 mile south, 1 mile east, and 1 mile north. Thisis possible only if the hunter starts his journey at the North Pole.