Straight Line Distance from D to A: Calculating with Pythagorean Theorem

[1stimer]

Homework Statement

Vehicle drives from a to b (south 100mi), then from b to c (east 200mi), then from c to d (north 300mi). What is the straight line distance from d to a?

Homework Equations

Not sure. Maybe Pythagorean theorem.

The Attempt at a Solution

No idea really. I drew a diagram and labeled it and that's about as far as I got. Thanks.

 

[hage567]

Yes you will have a right angle triangle. You can figure out the lengths of two of the sides based on the information given in the question. Then use the Pythagorean theorem to get the hypontenuse. Where are you getting stuck?

 

[1stimer]

Well, I have not had a math course in about 15 years and this is my first time taking physics. The text that I have for my class is not that good as far as showing examples of how to do things. I drew the diagram and it has 3 given sides, then to find the distance it would be a 4th side, so how do you get a triangle out of it?

 

[hage567]

Draw a line from point a across to the line cd (keep it perpendicular to cd).

 

[1stimer]

OK. Gotcha. Now we have a right triangle. Didnt see it at first. Thanks a lot.