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An elephant walks due east for a distance of 7.9 km, turns around and then goes due west for 1.9 km, and finally turns around again and heads 3.6 km due east. What is the displacement traveled by the elephant in meters?

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Answer:

The displacement traveled by the elephant is 9600 east

Step-by-step explanation:

Displacement is defined as an object's change in position which is given by the difference between final and initial location of the object

The displacement of the elephant are, taking east as positive direction of motion;

1) 7.9 km east = + 7.9 km

2) 1.9 km west = -1.9 km

3) 3.6 km east = 3.6 km

The net (sum) displacement of the elephant, ∑Δx is given as follows;

∑Δx = 7.9 km - 1.6 km + 3.6 km = 9.6 km

Given that the sum of the displacement is positive and that 9.6 km = 9600 m, we have;

The displacement traveled by the elephant = ∑Δx = 9600 east.

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