1 answer
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To find the total number of blocks Joel would ride, we first need to consider the distance he biked both going and coming back.
1. **Distance Biked Initially:**
- Joel biked 9 blocks East and 12 blocks North. Therefore, the distance he biked initially is:
\[
9 + 12 = 21 \text{ blocks}
\]
2. **Distance Biked Back:**
- To return to his starting point, Joel would need to bike back the same 9 blocks West and 12 blocks South, which is another:
\[
9 + 12 = 21 \text{ blocks}
\]
3. **Total Distance:**
- The total distance for the entire trip (going and returning):
\[
21 + 21 = 42 \text{ blocks}
\]
Thus, if Joel biked back to his starting point using the most direct route, the total number of blocks he would ride altogether is:
\[
\boxed{42}
\]