Question 1200142
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a = distance she runs south = 2
b = distance she runs west = 5
c = distance from start to finish along a straight line


Drawing
{{{drawing(400,200,-7,3,-7,3,
line(0,0,0,-2),
line(0,-2,-5,-2),
line(-5,-2,0,0),
locate(0.2,-0.8,"a = 2"),
locate(-2.5,-2,"b = 5"),
locate(-2.5,-0.1,"c")
)}}}


Use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine c.


{{{a^2 + b^2 = c^2}}}


{{{c = sqrt(a^2+b^2)}}}


{{{c = sqrt(2^2+5^2)}}}


{{{c = sqrt(4 + 25)}}}


{{{c = sqrt(29)}}} This is the exact straight-line distance from start to finish.


{{{c = 5.38516}}} This is the approximate straight-line distance from start to finish.


When rounding to the nearest tenth, we get 5.4


Answer: <font color=red size=4>5.4 miles</font>
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