Question 944968
He has hiked the two legs of a right triangle, so:
A is the distance south and B is the distance west, and C is distance to start
{{{C^2=A^2+B^2}}} or
{{{C=sqrt(A^2+B^2)}}}
{{{C=sqrt(7^2+4^2)}}}
{{{C=sqrt(49+16)}}}
{{{C=sqrt(65)}}}
C=8.06 miles ANSWER After walking 7 miles south and 4 miles west, Brandon is 8.06 miles from his starting point.