Do you get less wet if you run in the rain?

Conclusion: To get to a specific place you get more wet by walking. To travel for a specific period of time you get more wet by running.

I've spent a lot of time learning math (have a CS degree, which required lots of math). But sadly, I'm not comfortable enough with differential equations to come up with a solution like the first part. It makes sense once someone else has done it, but I wouldn't have gotten that far.<p>Perhaps I just need more practice. Practice makes perfect with math like everything else?

What contributes to how I feel when I arrive isn't the factor of my wetness, but how long I spent being rained on.

Nice. A fun/rational way to look at what is at heart an emotional decision. :)<p>Another angle on this is that running spreads the wetness over more surface area (less on top, more on front). If you're wearing a hat, you might choose to walk, etc.

I won't argue the conclusion, just introduce an anecdotal observation.<p>When it is spitting or raining very lightly, sit in a stopped car and watch the rain on the window.<p>Now, speed that car up to about 80km and see what happens. Disregarding spray from other vehicles, odds are that there will be <i>more</i> rain on the windshield in the same amount of time.<p>Like I said just an observation.

I once asked this question on a calculus exam.

didn't the mythbusters test this in one of their first couple of seasons? iirc, they did, and came to the same conclusion

I used to ride my bike to class in the rain, and I would always get more wet than if I walked.