Question

A hiker walks up and down a hill. The hill’s cross section can be modeled by the function y = – 3/4|x – 300| + 400 where x and y are measured in feet and D: [0, 600]. How far does the hiker walk?

Answer 1

Find the vertex by either graphing ( See attached picture) or setting the value in the absolute value bracket to 0:

Vertex is (300,400)

Because it is symmetrical, find the length of one side and double ot for total distance.

Using the distance formula shown on the attached picture.