Question

A man goes 15 metres due west and then 8 metres due north. How far is he from the starting point?

Answer 1

Let the starting point of the man be O and final point be A.

∴ In ΔABO, by Pythagoras theorem AO² = AB² + BO²

⇒ AO² = 8² + 15²

⇒ AO² = 64 + 225 = 289

⇒ AO = `sqrt289` = 17m

∴ He is 17m far from the starting point.