Question

You start driving north for 9 miles, turn right, and drive east for another 40 miles. At the end of driving, what is your straight line distance from your starting point?

Answer 1

The straight line distance from the starting point is 41 miles.

Explanation:

Given:

Distance covered towards north, n = 9 miles

Distance covered towards east, e = 40 miles

Distance from the origin to the end, x = ?

If we imagine this, then the route forms a right angle triangle

where,

n is the height

e is the base

x is the hypotenuse

Using pythagoras theorm:

(x)² = (n)² + (e)²

(x)² = (9)² + (40)²

(x)² = 1681

x = 41 miles

Therefore, the straight line distance from the starting point is 41 miles.