What does the resultant velocity represent in a problem?

[moondawg]

Homework Statement

When finding the resultant velocity in a problem what does the resultant stand for

Homework Equations

((x²+y²)^1/2

The Attempt at a Solution

I understand I use the equation above to find the resultant velocity but is the resultant the same thing as displacement and if so why would there be a velocity to it because all displacement has to do with is position??!

Please someone explain this to me I've asked about 7 people this question today and no one could give me a good answer.

 

[PhanthomJay]

In your relevant equation, it's ((V_x^2 + (V_y ^2)) ^1/2 = V_resultant. In other words, the resultant velocity is the square root of the sum of the squares of the x and y components of the velocity. Velocity and displacement are mathematically related, but they are not the same.