1973 AHSME Problems/Problem 20

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Problem

A cowboy is 4 miles south of a stream which flows due east. He is also 8 miles west and 7 miles north of his cabin. He wishes to water his horse at the stream and return home. The shortest distance (in miles) he can travel and accomplish this is

$\textbf{(A)}\ 4+\sqrt{185} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 16 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 17 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 18 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \sqrt{32}+\sqrt{137}$

Solution

First, you draw a reflection of the cowboy across the river. Then, you draw the straight line from the "cowboy" to his cabin. This will be a $8, 15, 17$ Pythagorean triple, so the answer is $17$, which is $\boxed{\textbf{(C)}}$.

See Also

1973 AHSME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
1972 AHSME
Followed by
1974 AHSME
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