Question

On his fishing trip Justin takes the boat 25 km south. The fish aren’t biting so he goes 10 km west. He follows a school of fish 15 km north. What distance did he cover? What was his displacement?

Answer 1

Distance is 50 km

Displacement is 10 km

Explanation:

Given:

Distance toward south, x = 25 km

Distance towards west, y = 10 km

Distance towards north, z = 15 km

(a) Total distance, D = ?

Total distance, D = x + y + z

                       D = 25 + 10 + 15

                       D = 50km

(b) Displacement, d = ?

Displacement = final position - initial position

                      = 10 - 0 km

                      = 10km