Can Displacement Be Calculated Without Drawing a Scale Diagram?

AI Thread Summary
Displacement can be calculated without a scale diagram by using the Pythagorean theorem. The orienteer's total movements result in a net displacement of approximately 5.7 km. The calculations involve determining the resultant vector from her movements east, south, and west. Average speed is confirmed to be 10 km/h based on the total distance covered in one hour. The discussion emphasizes that while a scale drawing can aid understanding, it is not necessary for calculating displacement mathematically.
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Homework Statement


An orienteer runs 5km east, 4 km south and 1km west. If she completed the course in exactly 1 hour, calculate her displacement from the start.

Homework Equations


There were questions before it I've already answered but I am not sure if I can do this question through calculation, do I need to do a scale drawing because it isn't a triangle?


The Attempt at a Solution


I've drawn the sketch in my book and found distance to be 10km and average speed to be 10km/h.

It also asks for velocity but i can find that once i find displacement. Mind Blank.
 
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Did you find the displacement?
average velocity = displacement/total time
 
Yeh I just drew it. 5.7km/h
 
displacement is sqrt(32)
 

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