Final answer:
Paul travels a total distance of 100km one way to visit his family. If the round trip is considered, he covers a total of 200km.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question asks to determine the total distance Paul travels to visit his family, which is a 100km journey spanning three separate states. The key detail in the question is not the number of states traveled through, but the overall distance of the journey. Accordingly, the total distance Paul travels is simply the distance to his family's place, which is 100km. Since the question does not specify a return journey, the answer assumes a one-way trip.
If we consider a round trip, wherein Paul returns to his original starting point, the total distance he covers would be double the distance of the one-way journey. In this case, it would be 100km to his family's location and 100km back home, totaling 200km. This example helps to clarify the concept of distance in a real-world context, ensuring a clear understanding of the mathematics involved.