SOLUTION: If I walk 1/2 mile north and 1 1/2 mile east how many miles can I walk back with taking two miles to return. I need to know the shorter distance back to my main starting point.

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: If I walk 1/2 mile north and 1 1/2 mile east how many miles can I walk back with taking two miles to return. I need to know the shorter distance back to my main starting point.      Log On

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Question 169528: If I walk 1/2 mile north and 1 1/2 mile east how many miles can I walk back with taking two miles to return. I need to know the shorter distance back to my main starting point.
Found 2 solutions by Mathtut, cloudstrifeo0o:
Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
if you looking for the shortest root back you have the distance of 2 legs of a right triangle the shortest distance back is the hypothenuse
so .50%5E2%2B1.5%5E2=c%5E2
c%5E2=.25%2B2.25
c=sqrt%282.5%29
highlight%28c=1.58%29 which is the shortest distance to your starting point

Answer by cloudstrifeo0o(5) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well, First lets use the Theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2
You walked 1/2 mi. North, and 1 1/2 mi. East.
.5^2 + 1.5^2 = c^2 Work out the squares.
.25 + 2.25 = c^2 Add.
2.5 = c^2 Now square root.
sqrt2.5 = sqrtc^2
1.58113883... or 1.6 = c
From what I could understand from you question, that would be your distance.