Leaving For London
A version of this problem is attributed to Edouard Lucas, a French nineteenth-century mathematician.
Every day at noon a ship leaves London for New York and another ship leaves New York for London. The trip lasts 7 days and 7 nights. How many New York to London ships will the ship leaving London today meet during its journey to New York?
Consider creating a picture to show your thinking.
Please submit all problem solutions to mathpotw@acu.edu before 5:00 PM on the next Thursday. Due to a lack of submissions received this problem has been extended by one week. All submissions are due by 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 16.
There were no correct solutions submitted. The solution is below:
