A scale drawn on the map shows that 1 inch represents 40 miles. If two cities are 2.5 inches apart on the map, what is the distance between them in real life? A. 90 miles
B. 60 miles
C. 70 miles
D. 100 miles

D. 100 miles

Step-by-step explanation:

answer: about 22.67

step-by-step explanation:

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4