Math Problem Statement
A girl delivering newspapers travels 3 blocks west, 8 blocks north, then 6 blocks east. What is the magnitude of her resultant displacement? Answer in units of blocks. 004 (part 2 of 3) 10.0 points Find the direction (measured from due east, with counterclockwise positive) of her displacement. Answer in units of ◦ . 005 (part 3 of 3) 10.0 points What is the total distance she travels? Answer in units of blocks.
Solution
Let's break down the girl's journey step by step:
Part 1: Magnitude of the Resultant Displacement
The girl travels:
- 3 blocks west,
- 8 blocks north,
- 6 blocks east.
To calculate the resultant displacement, we treat the girl's movement as a vector journey:
-
The westward and eastward movements are in opposite directions, so they partially cancel each other out:
- Net horizontal displacement = blocks east.
-
The northward movement is not canceled out:
- Net vertical displacement = 8 blocks north.
Now, the resultant displacement is the straight-line distance from the starting point to the ending point. This is found using the Pythagorean theorem:
Part 2: Direction of the Resultant Displacement
The direction of the resultant displacement is measured from due east, counterclockwise, as the angle . This angle is found using the tangent function:
Now, calculate :
Part 3: Total Distance Traveled
The total distance she travels is the sum of all the distances covered:
Final Answers:
- Magnitude of the resultant displacement = .
- Direction of the resultant displacement = counterclockwise from due east.
- Total distance traveled = .
Would you like more details or have any questions?
Here are 5 related questions for further practice:
- What if she had traveled 4 blocks south after the eastward leg—what would her new resultant displacement be?
- How does the direction change if the girl travels 5 blocks west and 8 blocks north instead?
- Can you derive the equation for the magnitude of displacement for any path?
- If the girl made the trip twice, what would be her total distance traveled?
- What if she started from a different point—how would you calculate the new direction?
Tip: Always break down movements into horizontal and vertical components when dealing with vector displacement!
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Vector Displacement
Pythagorean Theorem
Trigonometry
Distance
Formulas
Resultant displacement = sqrt(horizontal_displacement^2 + vertical_displacement^2)
tan(θ) = vertical_displacement / horizontal_displacement
Total distance = sum of individual distances
Theorems
Pythagorean Theorem
Trigonometric functions (tan)
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 9-10
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