Algebra Demystified 2nd Ed

Chapter 11 QuaDraTiC appliCaTionS 439

2. Let t represent the number of hours after the joggers began jogging.
   The distance covered by the southbound jogger after t hours is 8t, and
   the distance covered by the eastbound jogger is 6t.

b = 8t c = 5

a = 6t

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

(6t)^2 + (8t)^2 = 5^2

FIGURE 11-7

() 68 () 5

36 64 25

100 25

25

100

1

4

222

22

2

2

2

tt

tt

t

t

t

+=

+=

=

=

=

tt

t

=

=

1

4

1

2

The joggers will be five miles apart after 21 hour or 30 minutes.