Question

A man goes 12 due south and then 35 m due west. How far is he from the starting point?
(a) 47 m
(b) 23.5 m
(c) 23 m
(d) 37 m

Answer 1

(d) 37 m



Suppose, the man starts from point A and goes 12 m due south to point B. From here, he goes 35 m due west and stops at C.
In right triangle ABC, we have:
AB = 12 m, BC = 35 m
Applying Pythagoras theorem, we get:
$$\begin{gathered} A{C}^2=B{C}^2+A{B}^2 \\ ={35}^2+{12}^2=1225+144=1369 \\ AC=\sqrt{1369}=37\mathrm{m} \end{gathered}$$