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js asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 8 years ago

Longest distance possible between two points on a sphere?

What is the longest and shortest distance possible between two points on a sphere?

A pair of points on a sphere between which is is possible to measure the shortest distance along more than one arc?

What is the longest and shortest possible distance between two points on a plane?

What is the longest and shortest possible distance between two points on a sphere?

What is the shortest possible distance between a point and a straight line on a plane?

What is the longest possible distance between a point and a straight line on a plane?

What is the shortest possible distance between a plane and a great circle on a sphere?

What is the longest possible distance between a point and a great circle on a sphere?

Where is each pointed located?

Any help I could get, or least where I could look would be very helpful. I have a Professor who tends to never use stuff that can be found in the books!

Update:

The two points are Lat:39.299204 Long: -87.992534/Lat:39.299204 Long: 3.992534

2 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    The longest and the shortest distances possible between two points on a sphere are Zero and its semi-circumference respectively.

    A pair of points on a sphere between which is is possible to measure the shortest distance along more than one arc are the end points of any diameter.

    The longest and shortest possible distance between two points on a plane are Zero and Infinite respectively.

    The longest and shortest possible distance between two points on a sphere are semi-circumference and zero respectively.

    The shortest possible distance between a point and a straight line on a plane is the length of the perpendicular from the point to the line.

    What is the longest possible distance between a point and a straight line on a plane?

    What is the shortest possible distance between a plane and a great circle on a sphere?

    What is the longest possible distance between a point and a great circle on a sphere?

    Where is each pointed located?

  • FatGuy
    Lv 6
    8 years ago

    a. longest, points where any line thru the center intersect the sphere.

    so maybe THINK instead of trying to find the answer in books.

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