Python finite difference code to solve the Angry Ram puzzle, http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/can-you-outrun-the-angry-ram-coming-right-for-oh-god/

main.py

import math
import matplotlib.pyplot as plot


def generate_path(speed, num_steps):

    scaled_step = speed/num_steps
    step = 1.0/num_steps
    ram_x = [0] * (num_steps + 1)
    ram_y = [0] * (num_steps + 1)


    for i in range(num_steps):
        dx = 1.0 - ram_x[i]
        dy = i*step - ram_y[i]
        hypotenuse = math.hypot(dx, dy)

        ram_x[i + 1] = ram_x[i] + scaled_step * dx / hypotenuse
        ram_y[i + 1] = ram_y[i] + scaled_step * dy / hypotenuse


    print(math.hypot(ram_x[-1] - 1.0, ram_y[-1] - 1.0))
    #plot.scatter(ram_x, ram_y)
    #plot.xlim(0.0,1.0)
    #plot.ylim(0.0, 1.0)
    #plot.show()

    return math.hypot(ram_x[-1] - 1.0, ram_y[-1] - 1.0)



# print(generate_path(1.0, 1000))
generate_path(1.6, 1000*1000)
generate_path(1.61, 1000*1000)
generate_path(1.615, 1000*1000)
generate_path(1.617, 1000*1000)