FYKOS Year 25 Series 1 Problem 2 — struggling swimmer · FYKOS 25 #25.1.2
Physics · mechanics
Problem
A man wants to swim across a river which flows at a speed of 2 km/h. He is able to swim at a speed of 1 km/h. What is the optimal trajectory and direction he should take so that his trip is the least exhausting? Where and at what time will he reach the other bank? How would the situation change if his aim was the shortest possible trajectory? The width of the river is d=10m.