Question

Determine the displacement of a man if he walks 3 miles north then turns right and walks 4
miles east.

Answer 1

Solution. Sketch a figure of the movement of a man

Find the magnitude of the displacement of men using the Pythagorean theorem.

$$d^2=3^2+4^2=9+16=25$$

$$d=\sqrt 25=5$$

Answer. 5 miles.