We are not sure the answer for this is correct in the ACT answer book, so I am asking for clarification. (it is not for homework)
One hot-air balloon is 10 kilometers (km) east and 3 km north of an airport tower while a second hot-air balloon at the same altitude is 2 km west and 5 km south of the same airport. Approximately how many km separate the 2 hot-air balloons?
A. 8.2
B. 12
C. 14.4
D. 15.8
E. 20
Thanks in advance for your help.
2007-09-03 09:59:00 · 4 answers · asked by ddot2882 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
c is the answer using the Pythagorean theorem
If you start at the balloon 2 km west and 5 km south and move 12 km due east you will be 8 km south of the other balloon.
This become like a big right triangle with one leg 12 km going East to West and one leg 8 km going north and south.
8^2 + 12^2 = 208 the square root of 208 is approx 14.4 km
2007-09-03 10:11:13 · answer #1 · answered by Will 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let the airport be the origin on a graph
1st balloon is at (10, 3)
2nd balloon is at ( -2, -5)
use the distance formula
distance = Sqrt ( (x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2 )
distance = Sqrt ( 10 - - 2)^2 + (3 - - 5)^2 )
distance = Sqrt ( 12^2 + 8^2 )
distance = Sqrt (144 + 64 )
distance = Sqrt (208)
distance = 14.42
2007-09-03 17:27:41 · answer #2 · answered by Merlyn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got 14.4.
It makes a right triangle. 12 on the bottom and 8 on the side. Then all you have to do is find the hypotenuse.
2007-09-03 17:08:05 · answer #3 · answered by k_runner4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is C.
2007-09-03 17:08:00 · answer #4 · answered by Marti 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋