Mathematical Model and Its Application to Calculating the Distance of a Curved Surface between Two Points
This essay focuses on the practical problems arising from the opening of the new air route between Beijing and Detroit, which goes over the North Pole. It has discussed the different conditions of a globe and a spinning ellipsoid. According to the Approximation theory, it has established a mathematical model with which one can figure out the distance of a curved surface between two points. The author introduces this calculation method for finding out the shortest air route, so it explains why this new air route can save almost 4 flight hours.