Question

A person walks 50 metres directly north, stops and then travels 32 metres directly south. What is their displacement

Answer 1

18 metres

Initially, the man covered 50 metres at North, let it be N and the starting be O. But when he stopped, he moved at South and covered a distance of 32 metres, let the point be S.

• Concept of Displacement: Displacement is the shortest length of the path covered by an object from the initial position to the final one.

∴ Shortest length = ON - NS = 50 - 32 = 18 miles.

Answer 2

Given :  Person walks 50 m directly north

             Travels 32 m directly south

To Find : Displacement

Solution :

Initially, the man covered 50 m at North

Then the man covers 32 m south

Thus,

Total Displacement = 50 m - 32 m = 18 m at north

Hence, Displacement is 18 m towards north.