Math Problem Statement

find your distance from the starting point in m. That is, you first walk leg B, which is 24 m in a direction exactly 44° west of north, and then leg A, which is 11.5 in a direction exactly 15° south of west.

Solution

To find the distance from the starting point after walking the two legs of the journey, we can use vector addition and trigonometry. We treat each leg of the journey as a vector, resolve them into their components, and then sum those components to get the resultant displacement vector.

Step 1: Break down each vector into its components

Vector B (24 m at 44° west of north)

This vector is directed 44° west of north, so the angle relative to the positive yy-axis (north) is 44°.

  • The north (or y) component:
    By=24×cos(44)B_y = 24 \times \cos(44^\circ)

  • The west (or x) component:
    Bx=24×sin(44)B_x = -24 \times \sin(44^\circ)
    (negative because it’s westward)

Vector A (11.5 m at 15° south of west)

This vector is directed 15° south of west, so the angle relative to the negative xx-axis (west) is 15°.

  • The west (or x) component:
    Ax=11.5×cos(15)A_x = -11.5 \times \cos(15^\circ)

  • The south (or y) component:
    Ay=11.5×sin(15)A_y = -11.5 \times \sin(15^\circ)
    (negative because it’s southward)

Step 2: Sum the components

Now sum the x-components and y-components of vectors A and B to get the total displacement components.

  • Total x-component:
    xtotal=Bx+Axx_{\text{total}} = B_x + A_x

  • Total y-component:
    ytotal=By+Ayy_{\text{total}} = B_y + A_y

Step 3: Find the magnitude of the resultant displacement

The distance from the starting point is the magnitude of the resultant vector, which is given by:

d=(xtotal)2+(ytotal)2d = \sqrt{(x_{\text{total}})^2 + (y_{\text{total}})^2}

Let me calculate this.The distance from the starting point is approximately 31.24 meters.

Would you like a detailed breakdown of the steps or any further clarifications?

Here are 5 related questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How can vector addition be used in other real-life navigation problems?
  2. What is the significance of resolving vectors into components?
  3. How would the process change if you had three or more legs in the journey?
  4. What is the difference between displacement and distance traveled?
  5. How would the result change if you changed the direction of the legs?

Tip: Always check the direction of each vector component carefully, as positive and negative signs are crucial in vector addition.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Addition
Trigonometry
Pythagorean Theorem

Formulas

Component of vector in x-direction: A_x = A * cos(θ)
Component of vector in y-direction: A_y = A * sin(θ)
Magnitude of the resultant vector: d = √(x_total^2 + y_total^2)

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12