Solve the problem.
-Two cars leave an intersection. One car travels north; the other east. When the car traveling north had gone 9 mi, the distance between the cars was 3 mi more than the distance traveled by the car heading east. How
Far had the east bound car traveled?
A)12 mi
B)15 mi
C)9 mi
D)18 mi

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The problem can be solved using the Pythagorean theorem. Let x be the distance traveled by the eastbound car. The distance between the cars is x + 3 miles. Since the cars form a right triangle with the northbound distance as one leg (9 miles) and the eastbound distance as the other leg (x miles), the Pythagorean theorem gives us $9^2 + x^2 = (x + 3)^2$. Solving for x gives x = 12 miles.

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