Geometry Word Prob: how many miles apart are cars?

[paudertb]

I know this is really simple but please help with this word problem:

Two cars leave the same point at the same time and drive in opposite directions for six miles. They then both take left turns and drive eight miles. How many miles are they apart?

 

[pka]

Two cars, A & B, leave the same point (0,0) at the same time and drive in opposite directions for six miles. They then both take left turns and drive eight miles. So A ends up at (-6,-8) and B ends up at (6,8). How far apart are those two points.
You may need to review the distance formula.

 

[soroban]

Hello, paudertb!

Did you make a sketch ??

Two cars leave the same point at the same time
. . and drive in opposite directions for six miles.
They then both take left turns and drive eight miles.
How many miles are they apart?

                        *
                       /|
                      / |
                     /  |8
                    /   |
               6   /    |
            * - - * - - *
            |    /   6
            |   /
           8|  /
            | /
            |/
            *

And you've never heard of Pythagorus ??