My neighborhood is full of one-way streets. To drive from my house to the grocery store, I have to go 1 block south, then 1 block east, then 5 blocks north, then 2 blocks east. Each block is 1/16 of a mile. How much shorter would my trip be if I could fly like a bird?
D 2 Store
4
House C
1 1
A 1 B
Total distance without flying like a bird = (1 + 1 + 5 + 2) (1/16) = 9/16 miles
Flying like a bird we have a right triangle with legs of 3 and 4
The distance from your house tothe store is (1/116) sqrt (3^2 + 4^2) = (1/16) sqrt (25) = (1/16) (5) =
5/16 miles
You travel 9/16 - 5/16 = 4 / 16 = 1 / 4 mile less flying like a bird