Distance on graph
a group of college students built a self-guided rover and tested it on a plane surface. they programmed the vehicle to move along the path a–b–c–d–a represented on the coordinate plane. what distance will the rover cover if it completes one circuit?

The graph can be divided into two shapes. A rectangle and a right triangle.

The distance that the rover will cover if it completes one circuit can be computed using the Pythagorean theorem and adding the sides of the rectangle.

Rectangle:
Width = 4 - 2 = 2 meters 
Length = 11 - 2 = 9 meters

Triangle = 16 - 2 = 14 ; 14 - 2 = 12 meters  (this is the short leg)
long leg of the triangle = length of the rectangle = 9 meters.

12² + 9² = c²
144 + 81 = c² 
225 = c² 
√225 = √c²
15 = c

Point A to B = 4 - 2 = 2 meters
Point B to C = 15 meters
Point C to D = 16 - 2 = 14 meters
Point D to A = 11 - 2 = 9 meters

Total distance traveled = 2 + 15 + 14 + 9 = 40 meters.

The vertex of the quadratic function is (1.5, -.75)