Displacement w/ vectors question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the displacement of a mailman who drives 22 miles North and then 60 miles South-East at a -60 degree angle with the x-axis. To determine the total displacement, participants recommend breaking down each leg of the journey into its vector components. Specifically, the Northward displacement is straightforward, while the South-East leg requires the use of trigonometric functions to resolve the angle into x and y components, ultimately allowing for the summation of these components to find the resultant displacement.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector components in physics
  • Basic knowledge of trigonometric functions (sine, cosine)
  • Familiarity with coordinate systems and angles
  • Ability to solve right triangles
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector addition and subtraction in physics
  • Learn how to resolve vectors into components using sine and cosine
  • Practice solving displacement problems involving angles
  • Explore the concept of resultant vectors in two-dimensional motion
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Students in physics or mathematics, particularly those learning about vectors and displacement, as well as anyone needing to apply trigonometric functions to real-world problems.

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My physics text really sucks at explaining this... I consulted my pre-calc text but it sent me on a three chapter tangent of sinusoids which really don't concern me now. I'm sort of running out of time so, please help. Here's the question (I need how to solve it not just a number and unit)

A mail-man drives 22 miles N, than drives South-East (forming a -60 degree angle with the x-axis) for 60 miles. What is his displacement from his original location?

ok I've only worked with right traingles thus far and feel kind of noob-ish. Do I find the sin of each angle and add them maybe?:confused:
 
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Why don't you add the components of each displacement to find the total.
 
do you mean to make right triangles out of every side? I suppose that might work.
 

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