from Polya - Mathematical Discovery A man walked 5 hrs, first along a level road, then up a hill, then he turned around walked back to his starting point along the same route. He walks 4 mi/hr on the level, 3 mi/hr uphill and 6 mi/hr downhill. What was the total distance that he walked? Solve this problem algebraically and use this environment to solve it graphically. [you can set times by dragging the large dots.] Show that the solution depends on the particular choice of numbers - [i]In general the problem is indeterminate[/i]. What has to be true about the relationship among the three speeds for the problem to be soluble? [[b][i]You can explore an ensemble of similar problems by varying the speeds. Check the 'your own' box in the left panel.[/i][/b]]