gmatblood wrote:P, Q and R are located in a flat region of a certain state. Q is x miles due east of P and y miles due north of R. Each pair of points is connected by a straight road. What is the number of hours needed to drive from Q to R and then from R to P at a constant rate of z miles per hour, in terms of x, y and z? (Assume x, y, and z are positive)

a. (√x² + y²) / z
b. (x + √ x² + y²) / z
c. (y + √x² + y²) / z
d. z / (x + √x² + y²)
e. z / (y + √x² + y²)

We see that P, Q, and R form the vertices of a right triangle, with Q as the vertex of the right angle. Furthermore, PQ = x and QR = y are the legs of the right triangle, and RP is the hypotenuse of the right triangle.

Thus, if we let RP = n, then by the Pythagorean theorem we have:

n^2 = x^2 + y^2

n = √( x^2 + y^2)

Since time = distance/rate, it takes y/z hours to drive from Q to R and √( x^2 + y^2)/z hours to drive from R to P.

So, the total driving time is [y + √( x^2 + y^2)]/z.

Answer: C