pythagorean theorem word problem

[Guest]

ok...i get the pythagorean theorem, but i can't picture the triangle in the problem, please help.


carla lives 20 miles due north of her favorite radio station. while driving due east from her house, she was able to keep the radio signal for about 75 miles. what is the broadcasting range of her favorite radio station?

any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[pka]

\(\displaystyle \L
\sqrt {20^2 + 75^2 }\)

 

[soroban]

Hello, brendaursula!

Did you even try to draw a picture?

Carla lives 20 miles due north of her favorite radio station.
While driving due east from her house, she was able to keep the radio signal for about 75 miles.
What is the broadcasting range of her favorite radio station?

      H        75         C
      * - - - - - - - - - *
      *               *
   20 *           *
      *       *
      *   *
      *
      R

Carla's house is at \(\displaystyle H\).
The radio station is at \(\displaystyle R\).
She drove 75 miles east to point \(\displaystyle C\).

They are asking for the length of \(\displaystyle RC\).

Got it?

 

[Guest]

i did draw the picture like the one you drew, and i did complete the problem correctly, i just wasn't sure. thanks again.