What Is the Camper's Displacement?

[maxtheminawes]

Homework Statement

T camper went 80m in the direction of 30°. He then turned and traveled 110m in the direction of 160°. Finally, the camper walked 42m at 195°. What was the camper's displacemnt

Homework Equations

sqrt{Rx^2+Ry^2}

The Attempt at a Solution

Rx
80cos30
110cos160
190cos45
Rx=110.83

Ry
80sin30
110sin160
195sin42
Ry=210.10

(sq. root of (110.83^2+208.1^2))=235.77m

 

[BruceW]

You have the right method. But You've got the third section of his travel wrong. It was 42m at 195 degrees, but you've used something different in your answer.

 

[maxtheminawes]

thnxs i didn't realize that i made a mistake. i thought i was doing something wrong.

 

[maxtheminawes]

How do you do the square root of a negative? I'm assuming you just make it positive but I'm not sure.

 

[BruceW]

why do you want to square root a negative number? That shouldn't happen in this question.

Do you mean what is a negative number squared?