Question

If a marathon runner runs 1.2 miles to the left, 5.9 miles to the right and 3.2 miles forward, then what is the final displacement of the runner? (please provide your answer to 1 decimal place)

Answer 1

The marathon runner is 4.7 miles to the left and 3.2 miles forward than they were in their starting position.

First, we can take away (or subtract) 1.2 from 5.9, because the latter number is bigger and cancels out because it's moving in the opposite direction. This gives us 4.7

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