A pilot flies a plane south and then 600 miles west, where she lands the plane. How far south did the pilot fly if she lands 610 miles from her starting point?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Draw a diagram of the flight path and connect 'miles from starting point': method of solution would be revealed once you see your drawing.

anonymous · Answer

I don't understand this at all D:

anonymous · Answer

You need to know some basic of right triangle and pythagorean theory: its a big word but not that difficult to understand.

anonymous · Answer

I know how to use the Pythagorean theorem i just don't know like how to do the problem >_<

anonymous · Answer

I would square 600 and 610 right?

anonymous · Answer

Attempt what I said earlier. Go south draw a line down the page, go west another line

anonymous · Answer

Then square root the sum of the two numbers?

anonymous · Answer

|\ 
     |  \
x   |    \  610
     |      \
     |_____ \
        600

anonymous · Answer

a^2 + b^2 = c^2
x^2 + 600^2 = 610^2
x^2 + 360000 = 372100
x^2 = 12100
x = 110 miles