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a straight line

^Wrong.

A straight line is NOT the shortest distance between two places when you're on a globe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_circle

This is mathematically proven using calculus. Another way to prove this is to take a globe, and get some string. Pick two points, and make a straight line with the string to measure the distance. Cut off the extra string so you are using the exact amount needed for a straight line. Now, use the great circle, and you will be able to reach the same point, and have extra string left over, proving that the great circle is shorter than the straight line.

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14y ago

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