Problem 33 of 34geo-033
Two friends leave a campsite at the same time. Maya jogs due north at 6 miles per hour, and Leo bikes due east at 8 miles per hour. In a straight line, how many miles apart are they after 2 hours?
Try it first
The walkthrough opens once you check an answer.
Solution walkthrough1:41
- North and east meet at a right angle, so the two paths and the gap between the friends make a right triangle.
- Distance speed time. Maya: miles north. Leo: miles east.
- In a right triangle, . The gap is the longest side, so .
- , so miles.
- Traps: is the gap after only hour. adds the speeds. adds the two paths, but the straight gap is shorter.