Question

Your home is at point H. Your friend lives at point F, the midpoint of Elm Street. Elm Street intersects Beech Street and Maple Street at their midpoints. You want to walk to your friend’s house by going South on Beech and then East on Elm. How far in miles do you walk?

Answer 1

1 mile

Explanation:

Given that Elm Street intersects Beech Street and Maple Street at their midpoints.

The midpoint of beech street = 1/2 * distance of beach street = 1/2 * 1.2 miles = 0.6 miles

Using Pythagoras:

elm street² + 0.6² = 1²

elm street² = 1 - 0.36

elm street² = 0.64

elm street = √0.64

elm street = 0.8 mile

Point F = 1/2 * distance of elm street = 1/2 * 0.4 miles = 0.4 miles

Distance to friends half from house = 1/2 * distance of beach street + 1/2 * distance of elm street = 0.6 + 0.4 = 1 mile