5 -------------------------------------------- ` right angle |_ | ` (right triangle ) | ` | 4 ` | ` "c" ` \ (hypotenuse) Starting point __________________________________________________ Since we have a "right triangle, we solve for "c"; using the "Pythagorean theorem" ; _______________________________________________________ → a² + b² = c² ; Solve for "c" ; our answer (in "miles"; or, "mi.") ; __________________________________________________ Given : a = 4; b = 5 ; ____________________________ Plug these known values into our equation: ________________________________________ → 4² + 5² = c² ; ____________________________ → 16 + 25 = c² ; ↔ c² = 16 + 25 ; ______________________________ → c² = 41 ; _______________________________ → Take the positive square root of each side of the equation (since the side of a "triangle" cannot be "negative"; __________________________________ → √(c²) = √(41) ; _____________________________ → c = √41 ; Use calculator; ________________________________ → c = 6.40312423743 ; Round to:
→ c = 6.403 miles; or, 6.403 mi. __________________________________________
