Question

A family is driving from Phoenix to San Francisco. On a map grid, Phoenix is located at (–12, –16), and San Francisco is located at (–36, 5). Along the trip, the family stops in Blythe, located at (–20, –9), and Los Angeles, located at (–33, –4) on the map. Determine the total distance of the trip.

Answer 1

The total distance that the family has driven is the sum of the distances from Phoenix to San Francisco,
                            d = sqrt ((5 - -16)² + (-36 - -12)²) = 10.63 
from San Francisco to Blythe,
                             d = sqrt ((-9 - 5)² + (-20 - -36)²) = 21.26
from Blythe to Los Angeles,
                             d = sqrt ((-4 - -9)² + (-33 - - 20)²) = 5.83
Adding the distances, we get 37.72.