SOLUTION: A hiker goes six miles east and then turns south. If the hiker finishes 7.2 miles from the starting point, how far did the hiker go?

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A hiker goes six miles east and then turns south. If the hiker finishes 7.2 miles from the starting point, how far did the hiker go?       Log On


   

Question 820408: A hiker goes six miles east and then turns south. If the hiker finishes 7.2 miles from the starting point, how far did the hiker go?
Found 2 solutions by richwmiller, stanbon:
Answer by richwmiller(17219) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a^2+b^2=c^2
a=6
c=72
6^2+b^2=7.2^2
b^2+36 = 51.84
b = 3.97995

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A hiker goes six miles east and then turns south. If the hiker finishes 7.2 miles from the starting point, how far did the hiker go?
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Use Pythagoras:
6^2 + s^2 = 7.2^2
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s^2 = 15.84
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south = 3.98 miles
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Total walk:: 6 +3.98 = 9.98 miles
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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