Question 169913
Boat A was 10 km west of Boat B. Boat A travelled directly north to shore. Boat B travelled 26 km directly to the same point on the shore. Boat A's trip was how many kilometres shorter?
:
The paths and distance between the two boats form a right triangle
Using a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Let a = distance boat A is from the shore
b = 10 km
c = 26 km
:
a^2 + 10^2 = 26^2
a^2 + 100 = 676
a^2 = 676 - 100
a {{{sqrt(576)}}}
a = 24 km
:
Boat A's distance is 2 km shorter than B's