Question

A car travels straight for 20 miles on a road that is 30° north of east. What is the east component of the car’s displacement to the nearest tenth of a mile?
A.) -17.3 miles
B.) -10.0 miles
C.) 10.0 miles
D.) 17.3 miles

Answer 1

17.3 would be the correct answer.

Answer 2

Answer: The correct answer is option(D).

Explanation:

Distance travel by car in north of east = 20 miles

In a triangle ABC

$Cos\theta =\frac{BC}{AC}$

$Cos 30^o=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}=\frac{BC}{20}$

$BC=17.32$

The east component of the car’s displacement to the nearest tenth of a mile 17.32 miles.