Sierra walks 26 cubits due south, then 70 cubits due east and finally 50 cubits due north. How far is Sierra from her starting point?

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Answer 1 · 2018-01-24T21:42:04

#70# Cubits.

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From the diagram:

#AB=26# cubits due south.

#BC=70# cubits due east.

#CE=50# cubits due north

#AD# is parallel to #BC# and of equal length.

#DE=CE-CD=24#

We need to find #AE#

By Pythagoras' theorem:

#(AD)^2+(DE)^2=(AE)^2#

#(70)^2+(24)^2=(AE)^2#

#5476=(AE)^2#

#AE=sqrt(5476)=74#

Sierra is #70# cubits from her starting position.