Question

Mr kumar goes 5km towards the south at a temple then he turn and goes 12 km towards east. Claculate 1) total distance.
2) net displacement

Answer 1

Dear student,

Given :-

• distance in east = 12 km
• distance in south = 5 km

To find :-

• total distance traveled
• net displacement

Solution :-

We know the total distance traveled by a body could be any path taken to travel and reach a certain position.

Mr Kumar first traveled 5 km in south at a temple and then he turn and goes 12 km towards east.

In the journey, the distance covered by Mr Kumar is given by;

   x = 5 + 12

  x = 17 km

Hence, the total distance traveled by Mr Kumar is 17 km.

Now, for displacement, we consider the final and initial position and join the two points. If we do here, we obtain a right angle triangle where the hypotenuse is the net displacement.

So, by Pythagoras theorem, for hypotenuse, we have;

    s² = 5² + 12²

    s  = √25 + 144

    s = √169

    s = 13 km

Hence, the net displacement is 13 km.