Prove that at any time there are two opposite points along the Equator, which have exactly the same temperature. Assume the temperature function varies continuously as you move along the Equator.

Counterargument: This is patently impossible. If there are such points on the Equator, there must also be similar points on any circle around the Earth, such as a meridian. But in that case, we'd have one point in the north hemisphere, in winter, and the other in the south, in summer; that doesn't make sense!

What's wrong with this reasoning?

this question is idiotic. the variables that contribute to the temperature of the air in a given location are not limited to that locations lattitude and longitude. chemical and biological effects on the environment throughout the world play a large role in determining the temperature of a given location.

if your hypothesis were true, then it would mean that it is impossible for any point on the equator to be the hottest point on the equator. it would mean that no one place could have the maximum or minimum temperature on the equator all to itself.  quite simply, this conclusion has no foundation in the physical principles which determine a locations temperature and is therefore incorrect.

Posted by Jud on 2005-08-16 12:56:34