Question

A man runs backwards 8 meters, and then runs sideways for 14 meters. At this point, he decides to run forwards 48 meters. What is the magnitude of the man's displacement?

Answer 1

42.4 m

Step-by-step explanation

Displacement is the distance in a specific direction.

So in this case we should get the direct distance from his initial position to the last point after the 48 m.

After moving 48 m forwards, he passes the starting point by (48-8) m.

48 - 8 = 40 m

He have move 14 m sideways. This makes a right triangle with legs of 40 m by 14 m. Hypotenuse is the required distance.

c² = 14² + 40²

= 1796

c = √1796

= 42.4 m

The magnitude of the displacement is 42.4 m.