Monkey Business...

[SaintJude]

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A monkey is a the top of a tree 4 meters tall and 3 meters away from you. If the monkey were to throw a coconut at your head (assume you are 2 meters in height), where should the monkey aim if it lets go of the trees as it throws the coconut?

What annoys me about this question is that it's so simple and yet I was completely stumped by this question at first sight. But still, can someone provide some extra rationale on how best to approach this question?

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

A monkey is a the top of a tree 4 meters tall and 3 meters away from you. If the monkey were to throw a coconut at your head (assume you are 2 meters in height), where should the monkey aim if it lets go of the trees as it throws the coconut?

What annoys me about this question is that it's so simple and yet I was completely stumped by this question at first sight. But still, can someone provide some extra rationale on how best to approach this question?

How fast is the fruit tosser throwing the coconut?

 

[milski]

What does it mean for the monkey to aim somewhere? Does it take into account that the fruit will fall or not? Throwing it in the same instant as it lets go means that you can ignore that part and treat it as if it was throwing it from the tree.

If the monkey is a "simple aimer" - just goes for a straight line, you'll need to know how fast it throws the banana.

If the monkey is smart and can account for objects falling as they fly away from it, it should throw the pineapple the same way it would throw it as if it was sitting on the tree and not letting go.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

What does it mean for the monkey to aim somewhere? Does it take into account that the fruit will fall or not? Throwing it in the same instant as it lets go means that you can ignore that part and treat it as if it was throwing it from the tree.

If the monkey is a "simple aimer" - just goes for a straight line, you'll need to know how fast it throws the banana.

If the monkey is smart and can account for objects falling as they fly away from it, it should throw the pineapple the same way it would throw it as if it was sitting on the tree and not letting go.

But what if it throws a cashew? Do you need to consider the boomerang effect and how it might curve? I think we need to watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Monkeys to get a handle on this question.

 

[SaintJude]

Milski, I pray that overanalyzing MCAT questions will not ruin your MCAT experience. I'm confident you'll still just as phenomenal regardless, but just with a few more tears than necessary....

Edit: Are you guys be serious right now???????? Lol, you guys are playing with my agony...

 

[SaintJude]

Hahah--just saw your post BerkReview. I totally second that. Milski, you're brain is on overdrive!

The correct answer: Aim at a point 6 meters from the tree.

 

[milski]

But what if it throws a cashew? Do you need to consider the boomerang effect and how it might curve? I think we need to watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Monkeys to get a handle on this question.

The monkey needs no aim for the cashew case - it will keep coming back until the monkey hits what it wants to hit. 😀

I just started some B-rated horror movie with Kate Bechinsale - probably won't be as educational but she's easier on the eyes than monkeys or C=C bonds. 😎

 

[milski]

Hahah--just saw your post BerkReview. I totally second that. Milski, you're brain is on overdrive!

The correct answer: Aim at a point 6 meters from the tree.

So the monkey is a straight shooter. That's basically drawing a straight line from the top of the tree through the head of the person to wherever that crosses the ground.

Hey, that's the whole point of multiple choice questions - pick an answer and never think about it again. 😀 It's harder when I have to guess how detailed the answer needs to be.

 

[SaintJude]

Whatever, y'all might think this is funny...but I actually didn't realize that all I had to was set up proportion. That's case for serious concern & not funny at all. Yeah, that's right I'll be the debby downer...

4/2 : 3/6

 

[milski]

SaintJude, we were not trying to make fun of you or your problem. We were both complaining about being tired in a different thread so the conversation carried a bit here too. Apologies if that was uncomfortable.

 

[SaintJude]

Ahaha, NO! it was much was much needed banter! 😀.

 

[regeneration]

Whatever, y'all might think this is funny...but I actually didn't realize that all I had to was set up proportion. That's case for serious concern & not funny at all. Yeah, that's right I'll be the debby downer...

4/2 : 3/6

If we're just looking at similar triangles, the proportion would be 4/2:3/1.5 meaning that the monkey should aim 4.5 feet away...