Question

which is the shortest distance the student can travel to go from the bus stop to the mailbox? 20 meters 26 meters 34 meters 48 meters

Explanation:

Step1: Apply Pythagorean theorem

The path from the bus - stop to the mailbox forms a right - triangle with sides \(a = 10\)m and \(b = 24\)m. The Pythagorean theorem is \(c=\sqrt{a^{2}+b^{2}}\), where \(c\) is the hypotenuse (the shortest distance).

Step2: Calculate \(a^{2}\) and \(b^{2}\)

\(a^{2}=10^{2}=100\), \(b^{2}=24^{2}=576\).

Step3: Calculate \(a^{2}+b^{2}\)

\(a^{2}+b^{2}=100 + 576=676\).

Step4: Calculate \(c\)

\(c=\sqrt{676}=26\) meters.

Answer:

26 meters