Canal Boat trivia

8/1/13, 3:27 PM #1

Larry Barrett
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Canal Boat trivia

Larry Barrett

This one will make more sense if you imagine you are living around the time of the Civil War.

The Erie Canal goes between Albany, NY and Buffalo, NY; canal boats were used to transport both people and goods between the two. Every day a canal boat leaves at 6AM from Albany, and another leaves at the same time from Buffalo. Every boat takes exactly 6 days to transverse the canal.

Suppose I am on a canal boat that is about to leave from Albany. How many canal boats coming the other direction will I meet on my trip to Buffalo?

Note: the canal boat that is arriving at Albany just as I am leaving does not count as one I meet, but the boat that is about to leave Buffalo just as I am arriving does count as one I meet.

(This trivia question is taken somewhat indirectly from a recent Chris Schwarz blog).

Re: Canal Boat trivia

8/2/13, 1:20 AM #2

Alex Y
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Re: Canal Boat trivia

Alex Y

12

At 0600 on January 1 when I leave Albany, Boats labeled A-F are on the canal coming the other way (A is a day away from Albany, and F is just leaving Buffalo.

I will pass all six of those on the way.

At 0600 on January 2-0600 on January 7, Boats G-L will leave Buffalo. I will pass all those (including L, which is departing as I arrive)

Re: Canal Boat trivia

8/2/13, 2:25 AM #3

Larry Barrett
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Re: Canal Boat trivia - *LINK*

Larry Barrett

A day or so ago, on Chris Schwarz' blog, there was a link to the 26 Volumes of The Manufacturer and Builder - the link is included below. The journals were published from 1869-1894 and contain lots of interesting information. This Canal Boat question is contained in a series of articles about 'The Art of Asking Questions' which can be found in the journals for 1870, beginning with the July issue. The question and its answer are in the August and Sept. issues.

http://ebooks.library.cornell.edu/m/manu/

Canal Boat trivia

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