Question

A man goes 10 m due south and then 24 m due west. How far is he from the starting point? 

Answer 1

Let the man starts from point D and goes 10 m due south at E. He then goes 24 m due west at F.
In right ΔDEF, we have: 

DE = 10 m, EF = 24 m 

 

`DF^2=EF^2+DE^2` 

`DF=sqrt(10^2+24^2)` 

`=sqrt(100+576)` 

`=sqrt676` 

=26 m 

Hence, the man is 26 m away from the starting point.