Final answer:
To find the shortest distances between the schools, use the Pythagorean Theorem on the coordinate plane.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shortest distance between two points can be found using the Pythagorean Theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
Part A: The distance from Euclid Elementary School (-3, 5) to Math Middle School (5, 5) can be found using the formula: distance = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²).
Calculate the horizontal distance: x2 - x1 = 5 - (-3) = 8
Calculate the vertical distance: y2 - y1 = 5 - 5 = 0
Use the formula: distance = √(8² + 0) = √64 = 8 miles
Part B: The distance from Euclid Elementary School (-3, 5) to Hypotenuse High School (-3, -2) can be found using the same formula.
Calculate the horizontal distance: x2 - x1 = -3 - (-3) = 0
Calculate the vertical distance: y2 - y1 = -2 - 5 = -7
Use the formula: distance = √(0² + (-7)²) = √49 = 7 miles
Part C: The distance from Math Middle School (5, 5) to Hypotenuse High School (-3, -2) can also be found using the same formula.
Calculate the horizontal distance: x2 - x1 = -3 - 5 = -8
Calculate the vertical distance: y2 - y1 = -2 - 5 = -7
Use the formula: distance = √((-8)² + (-7)²) = √113 = 10.6 miles