Question

A boat left a harbor and sailed 38 miles due north and then 37 miles due east. To the nearest mile, haw far away was the boat from the harbor?

Answer 1

The situation forms a right triangle.

So, we can apply the Pythagorean theorem:

c^2 = a^2+b^2

where:

c = hypotenuse ( the longest side) = x (distance between the boat and the harbor)

a & b = the other 2 legs of the triangle

Replacing:

x^2 = 38^2+37^2

Solve for x:

x^2 = 1444+1369

x^2 = 2813

x= √2813

x = 53

Answer = 53 miles