Question

To measure the distance across a pond, Sandy and Garrett mark a spot at on

edge of the pond and walk away from each other at a right angle. If Sandy
walked 5 yd and Garrett walked 1 yd less than the distance across the pond, what
is the distance across the pond and how far did Garrett walk?*

Answer 1

distance across the pond: 13 yd

distance walked by Garret: 12 yd

Explanation:

Data:

• distance across the pond: x yd

• distance walked by Sandy: 5 yd

• distance walked by Garret: x-1 yd

A right triangle is formed where the distance across the pond is the hypotenuse. From Pythagorean theorem:

x² = 5² + (x-1)²

x² = 25 + x² - 2x + 1

0 = 26 - 2x

x = 13