Question

How might you describe the mathematical procedure of finding the displacement when an object travels in two opposite directions?

Answer 1

Displacement is a vector quantity. So, you incorporate the vector calculations when you try to determine the resultant vector. This is the shortest path from the starting point to the endpoint. If they are moving on one axis only, you use sign conventions. For motions moving to the left, use the negative sign. If it's moving to the right, then use the positive sign. Now, it the object moves 2 km to the left, and 2 km also to the right, the displacement is zero.

Displacement = 2 km - 2km = 0

Generally, the equation is:
Displacement = Distance of motion to the right - Distance of motion to the left