Final answer:
To find the distance between the two hikers who took different paths, we can use the Pythagorean theorem. The first hiker traveled 2 miles east and 1 mile north, while the second hiker traveled 1.5 miles west and then 3 miles south. By applying the Pythagorean theorem to both paths, we can calculate the distance between the two hikers.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the distance between the two hikers, we need to use the Pythagorean theorem. Let's consider the first hiker's path as a right triangle with the 2-mile east side as the adjacent side and the 1-mile north side as the opposite side. The hypotenuse of this triangle represents the distance traveled by the first hiker.
Using the Pythagorean theorem, we can calculate the length of the hypotenuse as follows:
Distance = sqrt((2^2) + (1^2)) = sqrt(4 + 1) = sqrt(5)
Similarly, for the second hiker's path, we can consider it as a right triangle with the 1.5-mile west side as the adjacent side and the 3-mile south side as the opposite side. Applying the Pythagorean theorem, we can find the length of the hypotenuse:
Distance = sqrt((1.5^2) + (3^2)) = sqrt(2.25 + 9) = sqrt(11.25) = 3.35
Therefore, the two hikers are approximately 3.35 miles apart to the nearest hundred.