Question

A stereo system is being installed in a room with a rectangular floor measuring 16 feet by 12 feet and an 8​-foot ceiling. The stereo amplifier is on the floor in one corner of the room. A speaker is at the ceiling in the opposite corner of the room. You must run a wire from the amplifier to the​ speaker, and the wire must run along the floor or walls​ (not through the​ air). What is the shortest length of wire you can use for the​ connection?

Answer 1

√((8+12)² +16²) = √656 = 4√41 ≈ 25.61 feet

Explanation:

Answer 2

4√41 ≈ 25.61 feet

Explanation:

The shortest route is the one that crosses the longest edge between room surfaces. In this case, that is the 16-foot edge between the floor and wall opposite the amplifier, or the 16-foot edge between the ceiling and the wall adjacent to the amplifier.

The length of the required wire is ...

√((8+12)² +16²) = √656 = 4√41 ≈ 25.61 . . . feet