Question

A cruise ship is traveling south going approximately 22 mph when it hits the Gulf Stream flowing east at 4 mph. Which expression would find the resultant velocity?
a) sqrt(22^2 + 4^2)
b) sqrt(22^2 - 4^2)
c) 22^2 - 4^2
d) 4(22)

Answer 1

Hello!

The answer is:

The correct option is

a) $Resultant=\sqrt{22^{2} +4^{2} }$

Why?

Since a right triangle is formed, we can calculate the resultant force using the Pythagorean Theorem which states that:

$c=\sqrt{a^{2}+b^{2}}$

Where,

c, is the hypothenuse.

a, is one triangle leg.

b, is the other triangle leg.

So, we are given the information:

$a=22mph$

$b=4mph$

So, calculating the resultant force (hypothenuse), we have:

$Resultant=\sqrt{22^{2} +4^{2} }$

Hence, the expression that would find the result velocity is:

a) [tex]Resultant=\sqrt{22^{2} +4^{2} }[/tex]

Have a nice day!