Answer: To find the distance Alexandria is from her starting point, you can use the Pythagorean theorem.
The theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (the distance between the starting point and the final point) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides (the distance traveled north or south and the distance traveled east or west).
In this case, the distance traveled north or south is 480 meters (the distance traveled due south) and the distance traveled east or west is 427 meters (the distance traveled due east) - 171 meters (the distance traveled due west) = 256 meters.
So, using the Pythagorean theorem:
Distance = √(480^2 + 256^2)
Distance = √(230400 + 65536)
Distance = √(295936)
Distance = 544.98 meters
So Alexandria is 544.98 meters away from her starting point.
Explanation: