No Attempt at a SolutionLost & Confused: Help Needed

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving calculating a distance in a geometric context, likely related to vector addition or trigonometry. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the method to determine the distance from a starting point to an endpoint based on given lengths.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different methods to find the distance, including direct measurement, scale drawings, and trigonometric calculations. There is uncertainty about whether simply adding the lengths is appropriate.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing alternative approaches and clarifying the need for accuracy in the drawing. There is no explicit consensus on the correct method yet, but several lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the teacher has not covered the relevant material, which may contribute to the confusion. The original poster's initial attempt at a solution was based on adding lengths without considering the geometric implications.

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I am totally lost :(

Homework Statement


[URL]http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss223/fuyu0201/feb61411.jpg[/URL]


Homework Equations


umm, i have no idea. the teacher didnt really teach us this yet.


The Attempt at a Solution


i just added all the lengths together lol, but that was wrong.
 
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It just asks for the distance from start to finish - direct.
You could make a scale drawing and measure the answer.
Or use trigonometry to figure out the x,y position of the finish relative to the start.
 


wait, so i just add 105, 459, 286 and 222 together?
 


No. You must find the distance from beginning to end as the crow flies. It will be much less than 459 if the diagram is at all accurate. But you really need a very accurate drawing, made with ruler and protractor.

Or you could find the x and y components of each vector using trigonometry, and add them up separately.
 

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