Question

Ashwin walks 10m north, 12m east, 3m west and 5m south and then stops to drink water. What is the magnitude of displacement from his original point

Answer 1

Given: Ashwin walks 10m north, 12m east, 3m west and 5m south and then stops to drink water.

To find: Magnitude of displacement from his original point.

Solution:  

• Now we have given that ashwin walks certain distance, so lets calculate the distance traveled in y axis, for that let north movement be positive and south movement be negative.

• So, distance traveled is y = 10m − 5m = 5m

• Similarly, lets consider his movement in east as positive and movement towards west as negative.

• So, distance traveled is x = −3m + 12m = 9m

• Now using Pythagoras theorem, the displacement will be:

           Displacement = √5² + 9²

           Displacement = √25 + 81

           Displacement = √106

           Displacement = 10.29 m

Answer:

       So the magnitude of displacement from his original point is 10.29 m.