A man goes 15 metres due west and then 8 metres due north. How far is he from the starting point?

Let the man starts walk from point A and finished at

Point C.

∴ In ⊿ ABC

SO AC²=AB²+BC²

AC²=8²+15²

AC²=64+225

AC²=289

AC=

AC=17 m

The man is 17 m far from the starting point.