Question

On her way home from school, Palama walked 5 blocks west to the grocery store, 2 blocks south to visit her aunt, then 5 blocks north to go home. What direction is her home from school?

Answer 1

the home is

5.83 blocks 31° North of west of the school

Explanation:

Resolving the displacement to vertical and horizontal axis

Let north and south represent positive and negative vertical axis, also east and west represent positive and negative horizontal axis;

Vertical axis; , 2 blocks south to visit her aunt, then 5 blocks north to go home

Ry = -2 + 5

Ry = +3

Horizontal axis; 5 blocks west to the grocery store

Rx = -5

Resultant distance = R = √(Rx^2 + Ry^2)

R =√(-5^2 + 3^2)

R = √34

R = 5.83 blocks

For the direction;

∅ = arctan(Ry/Rx) = arctan(3/5)

∅ = 31°

Therefore, the home is

5.83 blocks 31° North of west of the school.