a man is in a boat 2 miles from the nearest point on the coast. He is to go to point q, 3 miles down the coast and 1 mile inland. If he can row at 2 mi/h and walk 4 mi/h toward what point on the coast should he row in order to reach point q in the least time?

Answer 1

He should row toward the nearest point. Then he can walk the diagonal to point q.