Velocity of a ladybug relative to the ground

[TheronSimon]

Homework Statement

A ladybug with a velocity of 10 mm/s [W] crawls on a chair that is being pulled with a velocity of 40 mm/s [40 degrees N of W]. What is the velocity of the ladybug relative to the ground?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

finding the y-component
40(sin40) = 25.7

x-component requires the addition of two x-axis component vectors
40cos40 + 10 = 40.6

Now a² + b² = c²
25.7² + 40.6² = c²
c = 48.1mm/s

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi TheronSimon!

A ladybug with a velocity of 10 mm/s [W] crawls on a chair that is being pulled with a velocity of 40 mm/s [40 degrees N of W]. What is the velocity of the ladybug relative to the ground?
…
finding the y-component
40(sin40) = 25.7

x-component requires the addition of two x-axis component vectors
40cos40 + 10 = 40.6

Now a² + b² = c²
25.7² + 40.6² = c²
c = 48.1mm/s

looks ok

now you just need to state the direction of the velocity

(btw, maximum 2 significant figures in this case )

 

[TheronSimon]

so for the direction tan -1 (25.7/40.6) = 32'

so the complete answer is 48 mm/s [W32'N] ?

 

[tiny-tim]

yes

(probably best to call it "32° N of W", same as in the question )

(btw, you'll find a ° in the Quick Symbols box on the right of the Reply box)

 

[TheronSimon]

alright thank you very much Tim! :)