Question

To get from point A to point B you must avoide walking through a pond. To avoide the pond, you must walk 34 meters south and 41 meters east. To the nearest meter, how many meters would be saved if it were possible to walk through the pond

Answer 1

34+41=75m
D^2=34^2+41^2
D^2=1156+1681
D^2=2837
D=sqrt(2837)
75-(sqrt(2837)
=21.7365

Answer 2

To find the straight line distance from A to B, use the Pythagorean Theorem:  AC2 + CB2 = AB2   --->   412 + 342  =  ab2

--->   2837 =  AB2   --->   AB =  53.3

Walking from A to C to B =  41 + 34 = 75 meters.

Walking from A to B will save you 75 - 53.3 = 21.7 meters.