A man walks 12 km towards south and then 7 km towards north. From here he…
2024
A man walks 12 km towards south and then 7 km towards north. From here he walks 5 km towards his left. How far and in which direction is the man with reference to his starting point?
- A.
5km. North-west
- B.
5km. south-west
- C.
5√2, south-west
- D.
5√2, south-east
Attempted by 18 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Solution:
Take north as positive y and east as positive x.
First move: 12 km south → position (0, -12).
Second move: 7 km north → position (0, -5). Now facing north.
Third move: 5 km to his left (left of north is west) → position (-5, -5).
Net displacement vector = (-5, -5).
Distance = sqrt((-5)^2 + (-5)^2) = 5√2 km.
Direction: equal components west and south → south-west.
Answer: 5√2 km, south-west.