Solve Simple Trig Problem: A-D = 10 Miles

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a trigonometry problem involving Diane's trip from points A to D. The total distance traveled from A to B (16 miles), B to C (15 miles), and C to D (4 miles) sums up to 35 miles. However, the direct distance from A to D is calculated to be 10 miles shorter, resulting in a total of 25 miles. The participants clarify the vertical and horizontal distances involved in the calculation, confirming that the direct distance from A to D is indeed 10 miles.

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Mbaboy
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I'm in high level math, but this little easy problem I came across I can't get!
Here it is (don't laugh):

The below shows the route of Diane's trip from her house to her job. Diane travels 16 miles from A to B, 15 miles from B to C, and 4 miles from C to D. If she were able to travel from A to D directly, how much shorter, in miles, would the trip be?
The figure is something like this (Ignore the dots I couldn't get it to work outherwise):
.........4
........C-------D
........|
........|
........|15
........|
........|
....A----------------B
......16

A quick explanation should do. I'm just having a mental block and its frusterating. The answer is 10 by the way.
 
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I think you have mixed up A and B in your diagram.

However, try to answer the following questions:
1. What is the VERTICAL distance from the level of A to to the level of D?
2. What is the HORIZONTAL distance from the level of A to the level of D?
3,. What must therefore the distince between A and D be?
 
lol. I knew it was simple.
Thanks a bunch.
 

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