A car is driven 215 km west and then 85 km southwest. What is the displacement of the car from the point of origin (magnitude and direction)?

1 Answer
Mar 13, 2016

#"displacement="281,59 km" (magnitude)"#
#theta =77,68^o " from S to SW (angle of direction)"#

Explanation:

enter image source here

enter image source here

#x=215+85sqrt2/2=275,10 km#
#y=85sqrt2/2=60,10#
#"displacement="sqrt((275,10)^2+(60,10)^2)#
#"displacement="281,59 km" (magnitude)"#
#tan theta=(275,10)/(60,10)=4,577#
#theta =77,68^o " from S to SW (angle of direction)"#