Question

You start driving north for 3 miles, turn right, and drive east for another 4 miles. At the end of driving, what is your straight line distance from your starting point?

Answer 1

5

Explanation:

3[2]+4[2]=c[2]

9+16=c[2]

`√(25)`=5

Answer 2

The straight line distance is 5 miles from starting point.

Explanation:

Driving 3 miles north and 4 miles east and then the straight line distance will form a right angled triangle.

Where;

One leg = a = 3 miles

Other leg = b = 4 miles

Hypotenuse = c

Using Pythagoras theorem;

`a^2+b^2=c^2\\(3)^2+(4)^2=c^2\\9+16=c^2\\c^2=25`

Taking square root on both sides

`√(c^2)=√(25)\\c=5`

The straight line distance is 5 miles from starting point.