How do I know that I should do a vector addition for this?

[Blockade]

I don't need help finding the resultant of this example problem. What I do need help for is: What exactly from this prompt hinted that I must add all the vectors provided.

I have read this many times through and I still didn't know what to do. How does adding the vectors help them find the location of the keys to the Porsche? What can tell me in the future (like in a test) when I read a problem like this, I should try and add the vectors? What is the reasoning behind adding the vectors?

Thank you for your time.

Three players on a reality TV show are brought to the center of a
large, flat field. Each is given a meter stick, a compass, a calculator,
a shovel, and (in a different order for each contestant) the following
three displacements:

A: 72.4 m, 32.0° east of north
B: 57.3 m, 36.0° south of west
C: 17.8 m due south

The three displacements lead to the point in the field where the
keys to a new Porsche are buried. Two players start measuring
immediately, but the winner first calculates where to go. What
does she calculate?

 

[mfb]

You have three displacement vectors and the players are told that they have to follow all three. What else would you do with the vectors?

Calculating is really faster than walking (and measuring) the long way here I guess.

 

[Blockade]

You have three displacement vectors and the players are told that they have to follow all three. What else would you do with the vectors?

Calculating is really faster than walking (and measuring) the long way here I guess.

I understand now, thank you very much for your help!