Heidi went on a hike and now needs to ride her bike back to her tent. She starts out by traveling 15 miles south. Then she turns and rides 8 miles east. How far is she from her starting position to her tent?

17 miles

Step-by-step explanation:

If Heidi starts out by traveling 15 miles south, then y = -15 miles

If she then turns and rides 8 miles east, then x = +8miles

The distance from her starting position to her tent is gotten using the pythagoras theorem as shown;

d = √(-15)²+8²

d = √225+64

d = √289

d = 17miles

Hence her distance from her starting position to her tent is 17 miles