Displacement w/ vectors question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on solving a displacement problem involving vector addition. The mailman's journey consists of driving 22 miles north and then 60 miles southeast at a -60 degree angle to the x-axis. Participants suggest breaking down the displacements into components to find the total displacement. The approach involves using right triangles to calculate the sine and cosine of the angles for accurate vector addition. The focus is on understanding how to apply trigonometric functions to solve the problem effectively.
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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 origional 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.
 
Since ##px^9+q## is the factor, then ##x^9=\frac{-q}{p}## will be one of the roots. Let ##f(x)=27x^{18}+bx^9+70##, then: $$27\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)^2+b\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)+70=0$$ $$b=27 \frac{q}{p}+70 \frac{p}{q}$$ $$b=\frac{27q^2+70p^2}{pq}$$ From this expression, it looks like there is no greatest value of ##b## because increasing the value of ##p## and ##q## will also increase the value of ##b##. How to find the greatest value of ##b##? Thanks
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