Question

A tennis ball moves 16 meters northward, then 22 meters southward, then 12 meters northward, and finally 32 meters southward.

Determine the magnitude of the distance the object traveled

Answer 1

26 m southwards.

Step-by-step explanation:

From a North, East, South, West coordinate plane, moving northwards implies positive distance. While moving southwards implies negative distance.

Thus;

It moves 16 meters northward; d = 16 m

It now moves 22 meters southward; d = -22 m

It moves 12 meters northward; d = 12 m

It moves 32 meters southward; d = -32 m

Thus, total magnitude = 16 - 22 + 12 - 32 = -26 m

Thus, the object travels 26 m southwards.