SOLUTION: A hummingbird's nest is 12 meters high in a tree and a flower is on the ground 5 meters away from the base of the tree. How far will the hummingbird need to fly to get from its nes

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A hummingbird's nest is 12 meters high in a tree and a flower is on the ground 5 meters away from the base of the tree. How far will the hummingbird need to fly to get from its nes      Log On


   

Question 1208478: A hummingbird's nest is 12 meters high in a tree and a flower is on the ground 5 meters away from the base of the tree. How far will the hummingbird need to fly to get from its nest to the flower?
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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The shortest distance between two points is the straight line, connecting the points.

Surely, the hummingbird, being a disciplined rational creature, will choose the straight line to fly.


So, this problem is about a triangle.


You may even make one step forward and to see (or to guess/to recognize) a right-angled triangle here.


As soon as you identify a right angled triangle, apply the Pythagorean formula   


    d = sqrt%2812%5E2+%2B+5%5E2%29 = sqrt%28144%2B25%29 = sqrt%28169%29 = 13 meters.    ANSWER


(5,12,13)  is a Pythagorean triple,  next after  (3,4,5).

Solved.