SOLUTION: two cars leave a crossroads at the same time. One heads north at 50 km/h and the other heads east at 70 km/h. How far apart are the cars after .5 h? after 2.0 h?

Algebra ->  Vectors -> SOLUTION: two cars leave a crossroads at the same time. One heads north at 50 km/h and the other heads east at 70 km/h. How far apart are the cars after .5 h? after 2.0 h?      Log On


   

Question 346177: two cars leave a crossroads at the same time. One heads north at 50 km/h and the other heads east at 70 km/h. How far apart are the cars after .5 h? after 2.0 h?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Rate*Time=Distance
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Since they are traveling in perpendicular directions, you can use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the distance between them (the hypotenuse).
H%5E2=%28R%5B1%5D%2At%29%5E2%2B%28R%5B2%5D%2At%29%5E2
H=sqrt%28%2850t%29%5E2%2B%2870t%29%5E2%29
H=sqrt%282500t%5E2%2B4900t%5E2%29
H=sqrt%287400t%5E2%29
H=10sqrt%2874%29%2At
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Now you have the distance as a function of time.
When t=0.5, h=10%2Asqrt%2874%29%2A0.5=5%2Asqrt%2874%29miles
Do the same fo the other times.