the course for a local mud race has
the shape of a right triangle. The legs consist of a 2 mile obstacle course on foot and a 4 mile swim course. What is the distance of the cycling course?
​

Respuesta :

Answer:

[tex]2\sqrt{5}[/tex] miles

Step-by-step explanation:

In this course in the shape of a right triangle, the distance of the cycling course needs to be found, which is the missing side in the right triangle.

Using the given values of the legs of the right triangle (course), the Pythagorean theorem can be used to find the distance of the cycling course, since the entire course is in the shape of a right triangle.

Given:

- Leg 1 (a) = 2 miles (obstacle course on foot)

- Leg 2 (b) = 4 miles (swim course)

- We can consider the cycling course as the hypotenuse (c) of the right triangle formed by the obstacle course and swim course.

The Pythagorean theorem states:

  • [tex]a^{2} +b^{2} =c^{2}[/tex]

Substitute the given values into the equation:

  • [tex]2^{2} +4^{2} =c^{2}[/tex]

Solve the equation:

  • [tex]4+16=c^{2}[/tex]
  • [tex]20=c^{2}[/tex]
  • [tex]\sqrt{20}=\sqrt{c^{2}}[/tex]
  • [tex]c=2\sqrt{5}[/tex]

The final answer is [tex]2\sqrt{5}[/tex], meaning that the distance of the cycling course is [tex]2\sqrt{5}[/tex] miles.