Question

A particle moves 3m north, then 4m east, and then 12m vertically upwards, its displacement is

Answer 1

Distance:

(3+4+6)m = 13m

(Displacement)^2 =3^2+4^2

9+16 = 25

So,Displacement= 5m

Answer 2

disp =
$\sqrt{ {3}^{2} + {4}^{2} + {12}^{2} } = \sqrt{ {13}^{2} } = 13 \: m$
displacement will be the length of diagonal of cuboid formed by displacement made in three mutually perpendicular directions.