Gary and Elaine are competing as a team in an orienteering event. They follow instructions telling them to go 50 m [N], 75 m [NE] and 100 m [30o E of S].

Question

Gary and Elaine are competing as a team in an orienteering event. They follow instructions telling them to go 50 m [N], 75 m [NE] and 100 m [30o E of S].
a) Calculate the total distance travelled 
b) Draw a vector diagram to determine the resultant displacement.

Henry · Answer

a. d = 50 + 75 + 100 = b. D = 50i + 75[45o] + 100[300o] = 50i + 53+53i + 50-86.6i = 103 - 33.6i = 108.3m[-18.1o] = 18.1o S. of E.