Final answer:
The minimum distance for a direct hit with a water cannon at 42 m/s with an 8.3 second time constraint is 348.6 meters.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the minimum distance from the principal you must be for a direct hit with a water cannon with a given time constraint, we need to calculate the horizontal distance covered by the water projectile within the allotted time. Assuming there's no vertical motion involved, and since it's merely a time-distance problem, we use the formula for distance in uniform motion:
distance = velocity × time
Given the velocity is 42 m/s and the time constraint is 8.3 seconds, we compute the distance as follows:
distance = (42 m/s) × (8.3 s) = 348.6 m
So, the minimum distance you must be from the principal for a direct hit, assuming the water can travel that far without any vertical displacement, is 348.6 meters.