Question

A truck travels due east for a distance of 1.7 km, turns around and goes due west for 7.1 km, and finally turns around again and travels 3.5 km due east.
What is the total distance that the truck travels? What are the magnitude and direction of the truck's displacement?

Answer 1

1. d = 1.7 + 7.1 + 3.5 = 12.3 km.

2. D = 1.7 -7.1 + 3.5 = -1.9 km = 1.9 km , West.