Question

A person moves a distance of 3 km toward east, then 2 km towards north and then 3.5 km towards east. Find: (a) The distance covered by the person (b) The displacement of this motion.

Answer 1

total distance = 3+2+3.5 = 8.5 km

displacement is the distance between the initial and final positions. 
$=\sqrt{2^2+(3+3.5)^2}=6.8\ km\\\\ direction=Tan^{-1}\frac{2km}{6.5km}\\=17.10^0 North\ of\ East$

Answer 2

Answer:

total distance = 3+2+3.5 = 8.5 km

the displacement of this motion is: Displacement is the length of the shortest path between the initial and the final position. It is a vector quantity (Vector quantities are the ones which have both magnitude,called speed and direction)

Here displacement can be found out using Pythagorean theorem

Displacement ²=2²+6.5²

Displacement=√4+42.25

Displacement=√46.25=6.8(approx)