Answer:
He should travel directly
Step-by-step explanation:
Given
[tex]x = 0.5[/tex] --- East
[tex]y =1[/tex] --- North
If he goes through east north direction, the distance (d) traveled is:
[tex]d = x + y[/tex]
[tex]d = 0.5 + 1[/tex]
[tex]d = 1.5 mile[/tex]
If he travels directly, the distance (d) is:
[tex]d = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}[/tex] ---- Pythagoras theorem
[tex]d = \sqrt{0.5^2 + 1^2}[/tex]
[tex]d = \sqrt{0.25 + 1}[/tex]
[tex]d = \sqrt{1.25}[/tex]
[tex]d = 1.12mile[/tex]
By comparison, he will travel the shortest distance if he travels directly because [tex]1.12 < 1.5[/tex]
Hence, he should travel directly
