Question

Suppose your school is located 1.2 miles south of your home. the mall is located 3.2 miles west of the school. what is the shortest distance between your home and the mall? round to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

a^2 + b^2 = c^2
1.2^2 + 3.2^2 = c^2
1.44 + 10.24 = c^2
11.68 = c^2
sqrt 11.68 = c
3.417 rounds to 3.42 miles = c <===

Answer 2

Use the Pythagoream theorem: a²+ b² = c²

note that c = the hypotenuse

1.2² + 3.2² = c²

Simplify

1.44 + 10.24 = c^2

Combine like terms

11.68 = c^2

isolate the c. Root both sides

√11.68 = c

c = 3.417

3.42 is your answer

hope this helps