Two joggers run 8 miles north and then 5 miles west. What is the shortest distance they must travel to return to their starting point?
The two joggers have formed a right triangle with legs of 8 miles and 5 miles. To find the shortest distance they must travel to return to their starting point, we can use the Pythagorean theorem.
According to the Pythagorean theorem, c^2 = a^2 + b^2, where c is the hypotenuse (shortest distance), and a and b are the legs of the right triangle.
So, c^2 = 8^2 + 5^2
c^2 = 64 + 25
c^2 = 89
c = √89
c ≈ 9.43 miles
Therefore, the shortest distance the two joggers must travel to return to their starting point is approximately 9.43 miles.