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?

Answer 1

The shortest distance they must travel to return to their starting point is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs of 8 miles and 5 miles.

Using the Pythagorean theorem,
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
8^2 + 5^2 = c^2
64 + 25 = c^2
89 = c^2
√89 ≈ 9.43

Therefore, the shortest distance they must travel to return to their starting point is approximately 9.43 miles.