An elephant walks east for a distance of 58 km, then walks north for a distance of 16 km and finally north east at 300 for 15 km. Find the magnitude of the elephant’s total displacement in kilometers.

now would i find the change in distance by subtracting numbers and the using the |v|= sqrt (x^2) + (y^2) to find the magnitude

1 answer

D = 58 + 16[90o] + 15[45o].

X = 58 + 16*Cos90 + 15*Cos45 =
58 + 0 + 10.6 = 68.4 km.

Y = 0 + 16*sin90 + 15*sin45 =
0 + 16 10.6 = 26.6 km.

D = sqrt(X^2 + Y^2) km.

Note: Northeast = 45o N. of E.