Question

two cars leave the same parking lot, with one heading north and the other heading east. after several minutes, the eastbound car has traveled 1 kilometer. if the two cars are now a straight - line distance of 5 kilometers apart, how far has the northbound car traveled? if necessary, round to the nearest tenth.
square kilometers

Explanation:

Step1: Define variables via Pythagoras

Let $x$ = northbound distance.
$$x^2 + 1^2 = 5^2$$

Step2: Simplify the equation

Calculate squared values.
$$x^2 + 1 = 25$$

Step3: Isolate $x^2$

Subtract 1 from both sides.
$$x^2 = 25 - 1 = 24$$

Step4: Solve for $x$

Take square root of 24.
$$x = \sqrt{24} \approx 4.9$$

Answer:

4.9 kilometers