Answer:
The distance saved by cutting across the lot is 7.12 feet.
Step-by-step explanation:
x² + (x + 4)² = 20² Use Pythagorean Theorem
x² + x² + 16 = 400 Square everything in the parentheses
2x² + 16 = 400 Combine like terms
- 16 - 16 Subtract 16 from both sides
2x² = 484 Divide both sides by 2
x² = 242 Take the square root of both sides
x = 15.56
Add up both of the unknown sides and fill in 15.56 for x
15.56 + 15.56 - 4 = 27.12
Compare this answer to 20
There is a 7.12 foot difference
