document.write( "Question 911475: Use the pythagoras Theorem ,two runners run 8 miles north and then 15 miles west. What is the shortest distance they must travel?\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #553160 by Fombitz(32388) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I'm assuming you mean if they ran from their current position back to their start position.
\n" ); document.write( "The two distances are the legs of a right triangle and the shortest distance back is the hypotenuse.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"H%5E2=8%5E2%2B15%5E2\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"H%5E2=64%2B225\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"H%5E2=289\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"H=17\"$ $\"miles\"$ \n" ); document.write( "

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