Question

An ant on a picnic table travels 30 cm northward, then 25 cm eastward. What is the magnitude of the ant’s displacement (resultant vector)?

Answer 1

39 cm North east.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the attached photo, R is the resultant vector.

Thus, we can obtain the magnitude of the resultant vector of the ant by using the pythagoras theory as illustrated below:

NOTE: R is the Hypothenus ie the longest side

R² = 30² + 25²

R² = 900 + 625

R² = 1525

Take the square root of both side

R = √1525

R = 39.05 ≈ 39 cm

Thus, the magnitude of the resultant vector of the ant is approximately 39 cm north east.