Question

To get from the post office to the library, Sindy walked due north and then due east. The distance Sindy walked east is 20 meters more than the distance she walked north. If Sindy were able to walk directly from the post office to the library in a straight line, she would have walked 150 meters. Suppose x represents the distance Sindy walked north. Which equation can be used to find x?

x^2 (x 20)^2=150^2
202=x^2-150^2
x (x 20)=150
x^2 (x 150)^2=20^2

Answer 1

Technically, none of the equations.

The equation you're looking for would be:

x²+(x+20)²=150²

Answer 2

x² + (x + 20)² = 150²

Explanation:

Sindy walked x meters in north and then x+20 meters toward east. If Sindy were able to walk directly from the post office to the library directly in a straight line, the distance she would have walked 150 meters.

Thus Sindy forms a right angle triangle as in the figure attached.

From Pythagoras theorem

x² + (x + 20)² = 150²

This is the equation we can use to find x.