Question

If runners in a long distance race were to run straight from the starting line to the finish line they would run 13 kilometers. However, the road they run makes them travel longer than that. They must run 5 kilometers south and then head west "x" kilometers for the remainder of the race. How far do the runners travel?

Answer 1

5^2 +x^2 = 13^2

25 + x^2 = 169

x^2 = 144

x = sqrt(144) = 12

they run west for 12 KM

12+5 = 17 total km