Reyna's house is 12 blocks due west of school. Shaquille's house is 9 blocks due north of the school. Shaquille walks to Reyna's house every morning and then they walk to school together. What is the shortest distance Shaquille could walk on his way to school when he walks with Reyna? O 15 blocks O 27 blocks O 21 blocks O 24 blocks Reyna's house Shaquille's house School Drawing not to scale Submit Answer

Big Ideas Math A Bridge To Success Algebra 1: Student Edition 2015
1st Edition
ISBN:9781680331141
Author:HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
Publisher:HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
Chapter3: Graphing Linear Functions
Section3.1: Functions
Problem 44E
Question
**Mathematics Educational Resource**

**Problem Description:**
Reyna's house is 12 blocks due west of school. Shaquille's house is 9 blocks due north of the school. Shaquille walks to Reyna's house every morning and then they walk to school together. What is the shortest distance Shaquille could walk on his way to school when he walks with Reyna?

**Answer Options:**
- 15 blocks
- 21 blocks
- 27 blocks
- 24 blocks

**Diagram Explanation:**
The diagram shows three points representing the locations:
- Shaquille's house (top right).
- Reyna's house (bottom left).
- School (bottom right).

The houses and school are connected by lines representing the distances:
- A vertical line from the school to Shaquille's house (9 blocks).
- A horizontal line from the school to Reyna's house (12 blocks).
- A diagonal dashed line indicating the path Shaquille could walk from his house to Reyna's house and then to the school.

**Solution Approach:**
To determine the shortest distance Shaquille could walk to the school via Reyna's house, use the Pythagorean theorem for the right triangle formed by the straight paths:
\[
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
\]
where \(a = 9\) blocks (north) and \(b = 12\) blocks (west).

Calculate:
\[
c = \sqrt{9^2 + 12^2} = \sqrt{81 + 144} = \sqrt{225} = 15 \text{ blocks}
\]

Thus, the shortest distance Shaquille could walk on his way to school when he walks with Reyna is:

**15 blocks**.
Transcribed Image Text:**Mathematics Educational Resource** **Problem Description:** Reyna's house is 12 blocks due west of school. Shaquille's house is 9 blocks due north of the school. Shaquille walks to Reyna's house every morning and then they walk to school together. What is the shortest distance Shaquille could walk on his way to school when he walks with Reyna? **Answer Options:** - 15 blocks - 21 blocks - 27 blocks - 24 blocks **Diagram Explanation:** The diagram shows three points representing the locations: - Shaquille's house (top right). - Reyna's house (bottom left). - School (bottom right). The houses and school are connected by lines representing the distances: - A vertical line from the school to Shaquille's house (9 blocks). - A horizontal line from the school to Reyna's house (12 blocks). - A diagonal dashed line indicating the path Shaquille could walk from his house to Reyna's house and then to the school. **Solution Approach:** To determine the shortest distance Shaquille could walk to the school via Reyna's house, use the Pythagorean theorem for the right triangle formed by the straight paths: \[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \] where \(a = 9\) blocks (north) and \(b = 12\) blocks (west). Calculate: \[ c = \sqrt{9^2 + 12^2} = \sqrt{81 + 144} = \sqrt{225} = 15 \text{ blocks} \] Thus, the shortest distance Shaquille could walk on his way to school when he walks with Reyna is: **15 blocks**.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Big Ideas Math A Bridge To Success Algebra 1: Stu…
Big Ideas Math A Bridge To Success Algebra 1: Stu…
Algebra
ISBN:
9781680331141
Author:
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
Publisher:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Elementary Algebra
Elementary Algebra
Algebra
ISBN:
9780998625713
Author:
Lynn Marecek, MaryAnne Anthony-Smith
Publisher:
OpenStax - Rice University
Algebra: Structure And Method, Book 1
Algebra: Structure And Method, Book 1
Algebra
ISBN:
9780395977224
Author:
Richard G. Brown, Mary P. Dolciani, Robert H. Sorgenfrey, William L. Cole
Publisher:
McDougal Littell
Intermediate Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
Algebra
ISBN:
9780998625720
Author:
Lynn Marecek
Publisher:
OpenStax College
College Algebra (MindTap Course List)
College Algebra (MindTap Course List)
Algebra
ISBN:
9781305652231
Author:
R. David Gustafson, Jeff Hughes
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Algebra for College Students
Algebra for College Students
Algebra
ISBN:
9781285195780
Author:
Jerome E. Kaufmann, Karen L. Schwitters
Publisher:
Cengage Learning