Math ( 20 pts )
a. how far is the spot on the beach from the parking lot?
b. how far will he have to walk from the parking lot to get the refreshment stand?

A) The answer is 24 m

x - the distance from the spot on the beach to the parking lot

Triangles that are divided by x distance is similar, and therefore:
x : 18 = 32 : x
x * x = 18 * 32
x² = 576
x = √576
x = 24

Thus, the distance the spot on the beach from the parking lot is 24 m.


b) The answer is 40 m.

x - the distance from the spot on the beach to the parking lot
b - distance from the parking lot to the refreshment stand.

First, find the horizontal leg (a) of the biggest right triangle. According to the Pythagorean theorem:
a² + b² = c²
a = ?
b = ?
c = 32 m + 18 m = 50 m

Find a from the right triangle which sides are a (as a hypotenuse), x, and 18 m.
x² + 18² = a²
x = 24
24² + 18² = a²
576 + 324 = a²
900 = a²
a = √900
a = 30 m

Now, find b:
a² + b² = c²
30² + b² = 50²
900 + b² = 2500
b² = 2500 - 900
b² = 1600
b = √1600
b = 40 m

Thus the distance from the parking lot to get the refreshment stand is 40 m.