Rimpy walks 250 m North from home, turns right and travels 20 m East, then turns right again and goes 250 m South. How much distance must she still cover to return straight to her home?
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A25 m
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B20 m
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C4 m
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D40 m
Answer
Correct Answer: 20 m
Explanation
Introduction / Context:This is a rectangular path with two equal and opposite long legs (250 m each) and one short side (20 m). After the described movements, you must compute the straight-line distance back to home.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- North 250 m from home.
- Right turn → East 20 m.
- Right turn → South 250 m.
- Home is directly West from the endpoint by the short offset.
Concept / Approach:The northward leg and the southward leg cancel. Only the 20 m eastward shift remains. The distance to go straight back home is the horizontal offset between the current position and the vertical line through home.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Vertical: +250 − 250 = 0 → same latitude as home.Horizontal: +20 (East) → 20 m to the East of home.So she must travel 20 m West to return.Verification / Alternative check:Sketch a rectangle: the path forms two parallel 250 m sides separated by 20 m.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:25 m, 4 m, or 40 m do not match the single horizontal offset produced by the path.
Common Pitfalls:Treating the problem as a diagonal return; here the vertical part already cancels out fully.
Final Answer:20 m