Question

Alex is walking down towards the pharmacy from his home. He has to make several stops along the way. He walks to the pet store 5 blocks east of his house, then walks 10 blocks north to the pharmacy. What is the total displacement Alex walks during this whole trip?

Answer 1

Let east be positive X direction and north be positive Y direction.

Displacement in east direction = 5 blocks = X component of displacement =X

Displacement in north direction = 10 blocks = Y component of displacement =Y

Total displacement$=\sqrt[2]{X^2+Y^2} =\sqrt[2]{5^2+10^2}=\sqrt[2]{125}= 11.18 (approx) blocks$