A person walks 15 meters north, then 10 meters east. What is the shortest distance from his starting point? (2023)

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Q: A person walks 15 meters north, then 10 meters east. What is the shortest distance from his starting point? (2023)

Solution: Using Pythagoras theorem, the distance is √(15^2 + 10^2) = √(225 + 100) = √325 = 18.03 meters.

Steps: 9

Step 1: Understand that the person walks in two directions: north and east.
Step 2: Visualize the path as a right triangle where one side is 15 meters (north) and the other side is 10 meters (east).
Step 3: Use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (the longest side) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
Step 4: Write the formula: Distance = √(15^2 + 10^2).
Step 5: Calculate 15^2, which is 225.
Step 6: Calculate 10^2, which is 100.
Step 7: Add the two results: 225 + 100 = 325.
Step 8: Take the square root of 325 to find the distance: √325.
Step 9: Calculate √325, which is approximately 18.03 meters.