The map of a biking trail is drawn on a coordinate grid. The trail starts at P(−3, 2) and goes to Q(1, 2). It continues from Q to R(1, −1) and then to S(8, −1). What is the total length

Question

The map of a biking trail is drawn on a coordinate grid. The trail starts at P(−3, 2) and goes to Q(1, 2). It continues from Q to R(1, −1) and then to S(8, −1). What is the total length

Answer 1

use the distance formula (just the Pythagorean Theorem in disguise)

PQ = √((1+3)^2 + (2-2)^2 = 4
Now do QR and RS and add the distances.

Actually, if you plot the points, you can see that the line segments are either horizontal or vertical, so no distance formula is really necessary.