228k views
0 votes
A 20-kg object travels 3 blocks south, 20 blocks west, and 1 block north to arrive at its destination. How far did the object travel?

a) 17 blocks
b) 30 blocks
c) 16 blocks
d) 24 blocks

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The object traveled a total of 22 blocks, which is the sum of its movements in each direction: 3 blocks south, 20 blocks west, and then 1 block north.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine how far the object traveled, we simply add up the total number of blocks covered in each direction. The object moved 3 blocks south, then 20 blocks west, and finally 1 block north. Since south and north directions partially cancel each other out (moving in opposite directions), we subtract the block moved north from the blocks moved south before adding the westward travel:

  • Southward travel: 3 blocks
  • Northward travel: -1 block
  • Westward travel: +20 blocks

The total distance traveled is the sum of these values:

(3 blocks south) - (1 block north) + (20 blocks west) = 2 blocks + 20 blocks = 22 blocks.

Therefore, the object traveled a total of 22 blocks to arrive at its destination.

User Charlie Wynn
by
7.9k points