Question

a man travels a distance of 1.5m towards then 2.0m towards south and finally 4.5m towards east. what is the total distance travelled? What is the resultant displacement?

Answer 1

i) total distance traveled= 1.5+2.0+4.5=8m
ii) total displacement = 1.5+4.5= 6m

Answer 2

Given details:

Man travels 1.5 m  in a direction , 2 m in south , 4.5 m east.

It is assumed that the man travels 1.5 m in east ( since it is not mentioned in the question)

Solution:

Total distance travelled by the man = 1.5+2+4.5 = 8 m

Resultant displacement can be found using the Pythagoras theorem.

Resultant displacement will be given by the hypotenuse, if the distance in east direction (i.e.) 1.5+4.5= 6 m is considered as base of the triangle and distance in south direction (i.e.) 2 m is considered as height of the triangle.

Resultant displacement = √(6² + 2²) = √40 = 2√10 m