Problem of the Week

The last person was estimated to wait 9 hours before reaching the front of the queue.

There are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour, so 9 hours is 9 x 60 x 60 = 32400 seconds.

If the queue splits in two around the coffin and each person stops for 10 seconds, the number of people to view the coffin in 9 hours would be:   32400 ÷ 10 x 2 = 6480 people.

These people are in a line 4.9 miles long.

4.9 miles is about 7.88579 km.

7.88579 km = 7885.79 m = 788.579 decametres (i.e. 10 metre lengths)

The number of people per 10 metres

= 6480 ÷ 788.579

= approximately 8 people

However, the queue looked to have more than 8 people per 10 metres.

Let’s see what would happen if we halved the average viewing time to be 5 seconds.

32400 ÷ 5 x 2 = 12960 people

The number of people per 10 metres

= 12960 ÷ 788.579

= approximately 16 people.

The shorter viewing time (5 seconds) is perhaps more realistic, or maybe there were some people who paid their respects together with a partner.