Question

A person moves towards East for 3 m, then towards North for 4 m and then moves vertically up by 5 m. What is his distance now from the starting point?​

Answer 1

Answer:

9

Explanation:

goes to right 3m first then vertically 4m + more 5m = 4+5 = 9m

Answer 2

Answer:

Distance = 12m

Displacement = 7m

Explanation:

Distance is a scalar quantity. It just depend on path.

So, 3m+4m+ 5m = 12m

Displacement is a vector quantity. It is defined as shortest distance between initial & final position.

So,

the displacement after travelling north 4m

          = $\sqrt{3^{2} + 4^{2}}$ = 5m (By Pythagoras theorem)

In diagram attached below, BO = 5m

Then after travelling vertically 5m, displacement will be

           = $\sqrt{5^{2} + 5^{2}}$ = $\sqrt{50}$ = approx. 7m

In diagram attached below, CO = displacement = 7m