Riding the Train -Vecotrs & components

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the resultant velocity of a passenger walking eastward at 5.4 mi/hr on a train traveling north at 16.0 mi/hr. The passenger's velocity is treated as a vector addition problem, where the northward velocity represents the vertical component and the eastward velocity represents the horizontal component. To find the resultant speed, the Pythagorean Theorem is applied to determine the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by these two components. The final calculation yields a resultant speed of approximately 17.2 mi/hr at an angle that can be determined using trigonometric functions.

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  • Familiarity with Pythagorean Theorem
  • Basic knowledge of trigonometric functions
  • Ability to interpret compass headings
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  • Explore trigonometric functions for angle calculations
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Riding the Train --Vecotrs & components

A passenger train is cruising directly to the north at 16.0 mi/hr.
what are the speed and (numerical) direction of a passenger with respect to the ground on this train, if he now walks east-ward at 5.4 mi/hr?
---Compass heading in degrees: N=0, E=90, S=180, and W=270

I know i have to add velocities add as vectors.

Work-
i drew a triagle, the y commponent being 16 and the x (hoizontal) component being 5.4 and i ahve to ifnd the resultant speed. aka: the hypothenuse of the triangle.
But i don't know how to do that when i don't have an angle.
Please help
 
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Hint: Pythagoras' Theorem.