In baseball, the distance of the paths between each pair of consecutive bases is 90 ft and the paths form right angles. How far does the ball need to travel if it is thrown from home plate directly to second base?
I know we need to find the height of the triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem, but my answer was wrong :( Help please?

Question

In baseball, the distance of the paths between each pair of consecutive bases is 90 ft and the paths form right angles. How far does the ball need to travel if it is thrown from home plate directly to second base?
I know we need to find the height of the triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem, but my answer was wrong :( Help please?

anonymous · Answer

127.279221 feet

phi · Answer

you are asking for the length of a diagonal of a square with sides = 90

you can use pythagoras
or you can use the idea that you have a 45-45-90 triangle.

saifoo.khan · Answer

This might help? http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/assets/images/Diagrams/Layout-of-a-baseball-diamond.gif

phi · Answer

can you post how you did this problem ?

anonymous · Answer

I did h^2 + 45^2 = 90^2

phi · Answer

|dw:1365554076170:dw|

phi · Answer

I don't see where you got 
h^2 + 45^2 = 90^2

but look at the picture...

anonymous · Answer

I was thinking of a triangle instead of a square. So would it be 90^2 + 90^2 = h^2 ?

phi · Answer

yes
and
$$ h= \sqrt{90^2 + 90^2} = \sqrt{2\cdot 90^2}= 90 \sqrt{2}$$

anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much! :D

phi · Answer

Think over how you got the wrong answer, and what you would do differently to get the right answer.