What is the magnitude of the runner's total displacement?

[thschica]

A football player runs directly down the field for 35 m before turning to the right at an angle of 25 degrees from his original direction and running an additional 15 m before getting tackled. What is the magnitude of the runner's total displacement?

I got 38.08 but it is not right can someone tell me how to do it?

 

[whozum]

One vector pointing straight north has magnitude 35m, then another vector pointing 25 degrees to the right of north (65 north of east) has magnitude 15m, find the vector sum.

 

[thschica]

Is the vector sum 50 meters?How do you get it?

 

[mrjeffy321]

Perhaps drawing the situation might help.

Then find the over all change in position that occurred as if he ran in a straight line the entire distance.

 

[whozum]

You might want to break down components, your vectors looks like this

$$\vec{x_1} = <35,0>$$

$$\vec{x_2} = <15\cos(25), 15\sin(25)>$$

 

[thschica]

Thank you I just got the answer right (49)

 

[HallsofIvy]

That can't be the correct answer, as you phrased the problem. "Displacement" is a vector, not a number so no number could be the correct answer. 49 m (not just "49") might well be the magnitude of the displacement.