Rukhsana and Vikram start from the same crossing. Rukhsana walks 7 km north, then turns right and walks 9 km. Vikram walks 5 km south, then turns left and walks 4 km. How far apart are they now?

Explanation

1. 01

   Rukhsana: right from north is east, so she is 9 km east and 7 km north of the crossing.

2. 02

   Vikram: left from south is east, so he is 4 km east and 5 km south.

3. 03

   Gap: east–west $9 - 4 = 5$ km; north–south $7 + 5 = 12$ km (they are on opposite sides).

4. 04

   Distance $= \sqrt{5^2 + 12^2} = 13$ km.