A cat is walking on the tread of a tank

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Question from Kathleen:

If a cat is walking on the tread of a tank travelling at 28kmh how fast does the cat have to walk to avoid falling under the tracks?

Hi Kathleen,

This is a simple vector addition question. In order for the cat to not fall under the tracks it must stay in same "spot" relative to the tracks; its velocity must have an equal magnitude but opposite direction.

vectors

Janice

Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.