Anita hikes 7 miles due east and then 3 miles due north. Rounded to the nearest mile, what is the shortest distance from the starting point to the ending point?

1 Answer
SierraX
Mar 23, 2017

8 miles

Explanation:

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Use the Pythagorean Theorem, #a^2+b^2=c^2#, with c being the hypotenuse (longest side of the triangle). a represents the distance Anita walks east, and b the distance she walks north.

#7^2+3^2=58#, but since 58 is #c^2#, we need to square root it.

#sqrt58=7.62#. Rounded to the nearest mile, the answer is 8 miles.

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