Question

A helicopter rose vertically 10 miles and then flew west 13 miles. About how far was the helicopter from the starting point?

Answer 1

the situation forms a right triangle.

We have to find x

Apply the Pythagorean theorem:

c^2 = a^+b^2

Where:

c= hypotenuse (x) , the longest side

a & b = the other 2 legs of the triangle

Replacing:

x^2 = 13^2 + 10^2

Solve for x

x^2 = 169 + 100

x^2 = 269

x = √269

x= 16.4 miles