Question

Harry and Selma start driving from the same location. Harry drives 65 mi north while Selma drives 72 mi east. How far apart are Harry and Selma when they stop? (Assume Harry and Selma are driving at the same speed.)

Answer 1

Answer:

97 miles apart

Step-by-step explanation:

We can use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance between Harry and Selma, which their respective distances from the same starting location become the legs of a right triangle. We find the distance between Harry and Selma by solving for the hypotenuse:

$a^2+b^2=c^2$

$65^2+72^2=c^2$

$4225+5184=c^2$

$9409=c^2$

$\pm97=c$

$c=\pm97$

Because distance is always positive, then the distance between Harry and Selma when they stop is 97 miles.