Shyam walks 4 km north-east and then 3 km south-east. Find the total distance as well as the shortest distance between starting and end point.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 7, 5
North-east and south-east are each 45° from east, on either side of it, so the two walks meet at a right angle. The shortest distance is then the hypotenuse of a right triangle.
Total distance walked: \(4+3=7\) km
Shortest distance: \(\sqrt{4^2+3^2}=\sqrt{25}=5\) km