Question

A man goes 12 m due south and then 35 m due west. How far is he from the starting point?

Answer 1

In right triangle SOW
By using Pythagoras theorem, we have
$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{OW}}^2={\mathrm{WS}}^2+{\mathrm{SO}}^2 \\ ={35}^2+{12}^2 \\ =1225+144 \\ =1369 \\ \therefore {\mathrm{OW}}^2=1369 \\ \Rightarrow \mathrm{OW}=37\mathrm{m} \end{gathered}$$
Hence, the man is 37 m away from the starting point.