Is the Calculation of the Bird's Average Acceleration Correct?

[RS7]

Physics question, solved but need clarification!

Homework Statement

A bird take 8.5 s to fly from position A to position B. Determine the bird's avg acceleration
Vb = 7.8 m/s [25 degrees N of E]
Va = 4.4 m/s [ 31 degrees S of E]

Homework Equations

Vax/Va = cos31
Vax/4.4 m/s = cos31
3.8 m/s

Vay/Va = sin31
Vay/4.4 m/s = sin31
2.3 m/s

Vbx/Vb = cos25
Vbx = 7.8cos25
7.1m/s

Vby/Vb = sin25
Vby= 7.8sin25
3.3m/s

Ay = Vby- Vay / t
3.3-2.3/ 8.5 s
0.12 m/s^2

Ax = Vbx- Vax / t
7.1 m/s - 3.8 m/s / 8.5 s
0.4 m/s^2

a^2 = Ax^2 + Ay^2
0.16 + 0.0144
0.174 m/s^2 and then you square root it 0.41 m/s^2

tantheta = Ay/Ax
0.12 m/s^2/0.4 m/s^2
0.3 = 17 degrees

The Attempt at a Solution

The bird's avg acceleration is 0.41 m/s^2 [17 degrees N of E]

I just need to make sure if I did this right, if anyone would clarify this that would be great!
thanks

 

[Redbelly98]

Welcome to PF

It's mostly correct. You'll want to recheck +/- signs for the velocities. Is Northward or Southward the "positive y" direction?

 

[RS7]

oo then if I messed up on the signs I guess my answer is wrong, and northward is the positive y direction I think

 

[RS7]

Vax/Va = cos31
Vax/4.4 m/s = cos31
3.8 m/s

Vay/Va = sin31
Vay/4.4 m/s = sin31
- 2.3 m/s

Vbx/Vb = cos25
Vbx = 7.8cos25
7.1m/s

Vby/Vb = sin25
Vby= 7.8sin25
3.3m/s

Ay = Vby- Vay / t
3.3 + 2.3/ 8.5 s
0.7 m/s^2

Ax = Vbx- Vax / t
7.1 m/s - 3.8 m/s / 8.5 s
0.4 m/s^2

a^2 = Ax^2 + Ay^2
0.16 + 0.49
0.65 m/s^2 and then you square root it 0.8 m/s^2

tantheta = Ay/Ax
0.7m/s^2/0.4 m/s^2
1.75 = 60 degrees

the bird's avg acceleration is 0.8 m/s^2 [60 degrees N of E]

is this right? :S
I used the signs for the velocities but not quite sure if I did it right...

 

[Redbelly98]

Looks good.