The "Plane on a Treadmill" Question

[Flint]

Let's just read the question and decide what we're being asked about:

First, the plane "begins to move forward." So, forward motion is possible, although it isn't stated whether this forward motion is relative to the surface of the treadmill, or relative to the ground.

Next, the treadmill is described. It is "made to match the forward speed of the plane, only in the opposite direction." What the forward speed of the plane is relative to remains unspecified. The treadmill is said to "move backwards beneath the aircraft as the aircraft moves forward." What the forward motion of the plane is relative to remains unspecified.

Thus, when the treadmill is said to "match the forward speed" of the plane, it isn't stated how this speed is determined. When the treadmill is said to "move backwards...as the aircraft moves forward" it isn't stated how this motion is determined.

So, for step number one, to read the question and determine the parameters of what is being described, we cannot describe the treadmill because we cannot describe the plane, therefore we certainly cannot describe their relationship.

When Mythbusters tests this scenario, I will be curious to see what is tested. Because the question as stated here isn't something you can test.