Jim headed south 5 miles from his house to the cleaners. From there he headed west to meet his friends. They were at a park 3 miles away. How far would he have to go if he went straight home? (Pythagorean Theorem)

Yes, use the Pyth. Thm. This situation is illustrated by a right triangle with legs 5 miles and 3 miles. What would be the equivalent straight line distance from house to cleaners?

(5 mi) ^2 + (3 mi) ^2 = (straight line distance) ^2

(25 + 9) mi^2 = (straight line distance) ^2

straight line distance = length of hypotenuse = sqrt (34 mi^2) (answer)