Lab Activity: Homeward Bound
Applying the Pythagorean Theorem to Navigation & Distance

 

In this activity, you will plan a trip home using a grid map, applying distance formulas and the Pythagorean Theorem (a2 + b2 = c2) to calculate direct distances between stops.

Activity Steps

  1. Plot your starting point (0, 0) representing your school or workplace on a grid.
  2. Identify 3 stops along your route home (e.g., library, store, friend's house).
  3. Calculate the right-triangle legs (horizontal and vertical grid units) for each leg of the trip.
  4. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the exact straight-line distance between each location.
  5. Compare the total grid distance (city block distance) with the direct straight-line distance (hypotenuse distance).