Question

To avoid a crowded highway, Mr. Chilton took the side roads. He drove four miles east, five miles
north, 1 mile west and then two miles north to his destination. What was the straight distance from his starting point to his destination? Please explain.

Answer 1

if you consider going east a positive number and going west a negative, the total distance moved horizontally is 3. and he first went north 5 miles and then again later on another 2 miles, so in total 7 miles north. giving you the resulting triangle.

the rest is just pythagorean theorem. cheers.

Answer 2

Thank you so much!