A drone flies 12 km north, then 5 km east, then 8 km south. What is the straight-line distance from its starting point to its final position?

Mon, 04 May 2026 13:16:51 +0000

**How Far Did the Drone Really Fly? The Math Behind Its Journey**
What is the straight-line distance from its starting point after flying 12 km north, then 5 km east, then 8 km south? This question blends geography, navigation, and basic geometry—in a trend gaining quiet interest in tech and urban mobility circles. As GPS tools and drone delivery services grow more common, curious minds—especially those tracking efficiency, movement, or drone logistics—are asking: *Where do these routes really end up?* The answer lies in simple but precise spatial math—no jargon, no risk, just clarity. --- **A Drone Flys 12 km North, Then 5 km East, Then 8 km South. What Is the Straight-Line Distance from Its Starting Point?**
This route—north, east, south—looks like a practical test of real-world navigation. Start north for 12 km, drift east for 5 km, then settle south for 8 km. On a map, that forms a spiraling path, but the final position can be calculated with basic vector math. The key insight: movement isn’t just additive in a straight line; directions change, affecting proximity. Though the drone never goes directly south across the entire 12 km, the net result is a shorter diagonal path back to the starting side. ---