Final answer:
The direct route back to Steven's house after driving 16 miles east and 12 miles south can be found using the Pythagorean theorem, and it is 20 miles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steven's direct route back to his house from his trip, after driving 16 miles east and 12 miles south, can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem, as it forms a right-angled triangle. The direct route is the hypotenuse of this triangle.
Using the formula:
c = √(a² + b²)
Where a is the distance traveled east (16 miles), and b is the distance traveled south (12 miles). Calculating the hypotenuse:
c = √(16² + 12²)
c = √(256 + 144)
c = √400
c = 20 miles
So, the direct route back to Steven's house is 20 miles.