Question

What sequence of two displacements moves from (5, 5) m to (- 5, - 5) * m while traveling a distance of exactly 20 meters? How does this distance compare to the single displacement that connects the same starting and ending point?

Answer 1

The two displacements that move from (5,5) to (-5,-5)

(5,5) → ( 5,-5) [10 units down]

(5,-5) → (-5,5) [ 10 units left ]

The single displacement that connects the 2 points is the hypotenuse of the formed triangle where each side is 10 m long.

Apply Pythagorean theorem:

c2 = 10^2+10^2

c^2 = 100 + 100

c^2 = 200

c =√200

c= 14.14

Compared to the simple displacement (14.14) that connects both points, it is greater.

20m > 14.14 m