Question

an aircraft flies equal distance south east and then south west to finish 120km due south of its starting point. How long is each part of its journey?
ans:84.0
but how?

Answer 1

Starting point say is AFrom A it goes south east to point BFrom B it goes south west to point CDistance AC is = 120  km AB = BC given If we draw the diagram, we find that angle ABC = 90 degreesSay, AB = x       BC. =x x^2+x^2=120^2 2x^2=14400x^2=7200 x=60*sqrt(2) km So, each part of the journey = 60*sqrt(2) km= 84 (approx)