Answer:
5 miles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pythagorean theorem [tex]a^{2}+b^{2} =c^{2}[/tex] will find any side length of a perpendicular triangle when two sides are known.
We substitute for a, the shortest side, a=3 and for b, the longer side, b=4 to find the slanted hypotenuse c.
[tex]a^{2}+b^{2} =c^{2} \\3^{2}+4^{2} =c^{2} \\9+16=c^{2}\\25=c^{2}\\5=c[/tex]
The direct route is 5 miles.
