Question

A student has two ways to walk from point A to point B. Using the sidewalks (A to C and then C to B) or walking directly from A to B (dotted line). Each square is 1-foot x 1-foot. How far does the student walk if they use the sidewalks?

a) Distance = 2 feet
b) Distance = 4 feet
c) Distance = 6 feet
d) Distance = 8 feet

Answer 1

To find the total distance walked on sidewalks in a grid of 1-foot squares, one needs to add the distances of each segment walked. In this case, the distance from A to C plus C to B each being 2 feet, the total distance is 4 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question involves calculating the distance a person walks using sidewalks in a two-dimensional city block setup. To determine the total distance using the sidewalks, we add the lengths of the two separate walks (A to C and C to B), since each square on the grid represents a 1-foot x 1-foot area. Walking from A to C is equivalent to the length of one side of a square, and walking from C to B is equivalent to the length of another side of the adjacent square. Therefore, the distance walked on the sidewalk from A to C plus C to B is 2 feet plus 2 feet, which results in a total distance of 4 feet.