Question

Two cars start from the same point driving in opposite directions. Both cars drive 6miles. One car stops, the other car makes a 90° left-hand turn, and drive 8 miles. How far
apart are the two cars now?
Answer: The cars are about____
miles apart.
Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a mile. Enter the number only!​

Answer 1

Answer:

• 14.4 mile²

Explanation:

1. By driving 6 miles each, the cars will be 6 miles + 6 miles = 12 miles appart.

2. When one car stops and the other car makes a 90° left-hand turn and drive 8 miles, you can model the situation with a right triangle, where one leg is 12 miles, the other leg is 8 miles, and the hypotenuse is the distance that separates the cars.

Hence, you must use Pythagoras to find that distance.

3. Pythagoras

• hypotenuse² = leg₁² + leg₂²

• hypotenuse = (12 mile)² + (8 mile)² = 144 mile² + 64 mile² = 208 mile²

• $hypotenuse=\sqrt{208mile^2}=14.4mile^2$, which is rounded to the neartest tenth of a mile.