Question

Three ballet dancers are positioned on stage. Elizabeth is straight behind Hannah and directly left of Manuel. If Hannah and Elizabeth are 3 meters apart, and Manuel and Hannah are 5 meters apart, what is the distance between Elizabeth and Manuel?

Answer 1

Answer: Elizabeth and Manuel have a distance of 4 meters between them.

Step-by-step explanation: Please refer to the picture attached.

From the information given, Elizabeth is directly behind Hannah and directly left of Manuel. That means we have three points which are HEM, that is, we now have triangle HEM. The longest side (hypotenuse) which is the distance between Hannah and Manuel is given as 5 meters while the other side the distance between Hannah and Elizabeth is given as 3 meters.

We shall apply the pythagoras theorem in solving for the unknown side, EM.

The Pythagoras theorem states thus;

AC² = AB² + BC²

Where AC is the hypotenuse, and AB and BC are the other two sides.

Substituting for the known values, we now have;

5² = 3² + EM²

25 = 9 + EM²

Subtract 9 from both sides of the equation

16 = EM²

Add the square root sign to both sides of the equation

√16 = √EM²

4 = EM

Therefore the distance between Elizabeth and Manuel is 4 meters