How Do You Calculate Displacement from Dallas to Chicago Using Vectors?

[BeckyStar678]

Homework Statement

a map suggests that atlanta is 730 miles in a direction of 5.00 degrees north of east from dallas. the same map shows that chicago is 560 miles in a direction of 21 degrees west of north from atlanta. modeling the Earth as flat, use this info to find the displacement from dallas to chicago.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

is this just using the pythagorean theorem. is it 730² + 560²

 

[LowlyPion]

Homework Statement

a map suggests that atlanta is 730 miles in a direction of 5.00 degrees north of east from dallas. the same map shows that chicago is 560 miles in a direction of 21 degrees west of north from atlanta. modeling the Earth as flat, use this info to find the displacement from dallas to chicago.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

is this just using the pythagorean theorem. is it 730² + 560²

Only if they are in direction at are right angle to each other.

Maybe you want the Law of Cosines?