PLEEEEEAAAASSSE HELP!

So if a golfer makes a ten foot putt from point C into the hole (at point D), then how far did the ball travel en route from A to B to C to D? (Hint: use the Pythagorean triples 3, 4, 5; 5, 12, 13; and 8, 15, 17 and a scale of 1 unit=10 feet.)

The diagram is in the comments.

At first I thought I would use the distance formula, but then it started talking about Pythagorean triples and I didn't even learn that in this chapter. Or any chapter.

Question

PLEEEEEAAAASSSE HELP!

So if a golfer makes a ten foot putt from point C into the hole (at point D), then how far did the ball travel en route from A to B to C to D? (Hint: use the Pythagorean triples 3, 4, 5; 5, 12, 13; and 8, 15, 17 and a scale of 1 unit=10 feet.)

The diagram is in the comments.

At first I thought I would use the distance formula, but then it started talking about Pythagorean triples and I didn't even learn that in this chapter. Or any chapter.

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

Pythagorean triples? Is there such a thing?

anonymous · Answer

Isn't the formula $$a ^{2}+b ^{2} = c ^{2}$$

anonymous · Answer

>.> I've never heard of it...

anonymous · Answer

Neither have I. 

I thought the formula would be that but I just...gah, my brain hurts

anonymous · Answer

Basically that should be the formula... a b c are the 3 integers only in pythagorean

anonymous · Answer

I think it means find the numbers that subsitute it?

anonymous · Answer

Maybe....

anonymous · Answer

i.e. 3 4 5... is a b c is a triple, so would be xa xb xc. Because x is the positive... integer..

anonymous · Answer

Yes, you should try substituting it, i'm sorry that this isn't helping much. :P

anonymous · Answer

It's a bit confusing to be honest

anonymous · Answer

Especially since my calculator won't work....great