From Henry Dudeney:
Imagine a man going to the North Pole. The points of the compass are, as everyone knows:
He reaches the Pole and, having passed over it, must turn about to look North. East is now on his left-hand side, West on his right-hand side, and the points of the compass therefore
… which is absurd. What is the explanation?
|
SelectClick for Answer |
“If W and E were stationary points, and W, as at present, on your left when advancing towards the N, then, after passing the Pole and turning round, W would be on your right, as stated. But W and E are not fixed points, but directions round the globe; so wherever you stand facing N, you will have the W direction on your left and the E direction on the right.”
|
