Question

A new cellular phone tower services all phones within a 17 mile radius. Doreen lives 15 miles and and 8 miles south of the tower. Is she within the area serviced by the tower. Explain

Answer 1

Doreen is within the radius of the tower (at the limit).

Explanation:

(Assuming that the first 15 miles is East or West)

We can calculate Doreen's distance to the tower using Pythagoras theorem, as these coordinates form a triangle with a 90 degrees angle:

Distance^2 = 15^2 + 8^2

Distance^2 = 225+64

Distance^2 = 289

Distance = 17 miles

Doreen is at 17 miles from the tower, and the tower range is 17 miles, so Doreen is within the radius of the tower (at the limit).