Question

two friends x and y start a race. x runs 12 km towards east and then 18 km towards south. y runs 2 km towards south and then 20 km towards south-east. how far are they from each other now

Answer 1

they are at the same place so distance between them is zero

Answer 2

Answer:

0 km

Step-by-step explanation:

Let A represents the starting point of both friends,

After running 12 km towards east, x's position is B and again after going 18 km south from B his final position is C,

That is, AB = 12 km, BC = 18 km,

Now, after running 2 km south from A y's position is D and again after going to 20 km south-east his final position is E,

That is, AD = 2 km, DE = 20

∵ DC = BC - AD = 18 - 2 = 16,

Suppose O is a point along the south from D,

Such that,

DO = 16,

By the pythagorean theorem,

OE = $\sqrt{20^2-16^2}$ = 12 km

It is possible when,

EC = 0,

Hence, the distance between them finally is 0 km.