Final answer:
The question involves using graphical techniques for adding vectors to find the total displacement resulting from three separate walking paths with specified distances and directions on a flat field.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to determining the total displacement of a person walking three different paths on a flat field using vector addition techniques. The displacement vectors are described by their magnitudes and the angles relative to east they make. To find the total displacement, one must use the graphical method to add the vectors by drawing them to scale and in the specified direction, and then measure the resultant vector from the starting point to the endpoint of the combined path.
For instance, begin by drawing the first vector 25.0 m at 49.0° north of east. Next, from the head of this vector, draw the second vector of 23.0 m at 15.0° north of east.
Finally, from the head of the second vector, draw the third vector of 32.0 m at 68° south of east. The resultant or total displacement vector is the straight line from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector. This resultant represents the shortest path, or straight-line distance, the person would travel if they could walk directly without taking the individual paths.