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Two points are 10 units apart on the coordinate plane. If

an ant were to walk between the 2 points moving only
vertically and horizontally, it would have to walk 6 horizontal
units. How many vertical units would the ant have to walk?

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

The vertical distance the ant have to walk is 8 units

Explanation:

∵ The ant must be walk vertically and horizontally

∴ The distance from start point to end point will be as

a hypotenuse of a right angle triangle

∵ The ant would have to walk 6 units horizontally that

means one side of the right angle is 6 units

∵ The two points are apart by 10 units that means

the length of the hypotenuse is 10 units

∴ The vertical distance the ant would have to walk is

the length of the second side of the right angle

* By using Pythagoras Theorem:

∵ (hypotenuse)² = (horizontal leg)² + (vertical leg)²

∴ 10² = 6² + (vertical leg)²

∵ (vertical leg)² = 100 - 36 = 64

∴ Vertical leg = √64 = 8 units

∴ The vertical distance the ant have to walk is 8 units

User Meilechh
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