Solve.
-Two cars leave an intersection. One car travels north; the other east. When the car traveling north had gone 15 mi, the distance between the cars was 5 mi more than the distance traveled by the car heading east. How far had The eastbound car traveled?
A)25 mi
B)20 mi
C)30 mi
D)15 mi

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The problem can be solved using the Pythagorean theorem, where the distance between the two cars forms the hypotenuse of a right triangle. Let x be the distance traveled by the eastbound car. According to the problem, the hypotenuse (distance between the cars) is x + 5 miles, and the distance traveled north is 15 miles. The equation is $15^2 + x^2 = (x + 5)^2$. Solving for x gives us 20 miles.

Solve. -Two Cars Leave an Intersection. One Car Travels North; the the Other