<PRE><B>Question 159287</B>
This is equivalent to driving 500 mi south and 500 mi west. There is an isosceles right triangle.
2a^2=c^2
2*250000=500000
sqrt(500000)=707.107 mi (the slow way)
.
On the SAT test we know that if both sides are 1 then the hypotenuse is sqrt(2).
So if you multiply the side time sqrt(2) you get the answer the fast way!
500*sqrt(2)=707.107
.
Ed</PRE>