My neighborhood is full of one-way streets. To drive from my house to the grocery store, I have to go 1 block south, then 1 block east, then 5 blocks north, then 2 blocks east. Each block is of a mile. How much shorter would my trip be if I could fly like a bird (that is, travel in a straight line)?
+37157 Your current route is 1 + 1 + 5 + 2 = 9 miles
your NET displacement from the origin (your house ) is 3 miles east and 4 miles north
using pythag theorem, your shortest route would be sqrt (3^2 + 4^2) = 5
9 miles - 5 miles = 4miles shorter if you could travel 'as the crow flies' 
+37157 Your current route is 1 + 1 + 5 + 2 = 9 miles
your NET displacement from the origin (your house ) is 3 miles east and 4 miles north
using pythag theorem, your shortest route would be sqrt (3^2 + 4^2) = 5
9 miles - 5 miles = 4miles shorter if you could travel 'as the crow flies'
