can anyone help? im failing right now. thank you

Answer:
c = 2.5 miles
Step-by-step explanation:
James didn't follow PEMDAS and didn't do the exponents first.
How he should've done it:
2² + 1.5² = c²
4 + 2.25 = c²
6.25 = c²
√6.25 = √c²
2.5 miles = c
Answer:
2.5 miles
Step-by-step explanation:
Using Pythagoras Theorem,
[tex]h^{2} =p^{2} +b^{2}\\\\h^{2} =(2miles)^{2} +(1.5miles)^{2} \\\\h^{2} =4miles^{2} +2.25miles^{2} \\\\h=\sqrt{6.25miles^{2} } \\\\h=2.5miles[/tex]
The mistake is in the third line where he has added in place of squaring them. It is a mistake. He should square first then he should add.