Questions on Geometry: Triangles answered by real tutors!

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Question 152633: A car is driven 12miles west and then 5miles north. How far is the car from the starting point? : A car is driven 12miles west and then 5miles north. How far is the car from the starting point?
Answer by Fombitz(1744) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
D^2=(DELTA*x)^2+(DELTA*y)^2
Let x be east-west distance(east positive, west negative).
Let y be north-south distance(north positive, south negative).
Start at (x,y)=(0,0).
Go to (x,y)=(-12,5).
(DELTA*x)=(-12-0)=-12
(DELTA*y)=(5-0)=5
D^2=(DELTA*x)^2+(DELTA*y)^2
D^2=(-12)^2+(5)^2
D^2=144+25
D^2=169
D=13
The car is 13 miles from the starting point.
drawing( 300, 300, -20, 20, -10, 10,grid( 1 ),circle(-12,5,0.5),circle( -12, 0, .5 ),green(line(-12,5,0,0)),green(line(-12,0,-12,5)),green(line( 0,0,-12,0)))