Question
Find the following for path A in Figure 3.52: (a) the total distance traveled, and (b) the magnitude and direction of the displacement from start to finish. In Figure 3.52 the various lines represent paths taken by different people walking in a city. All blocks are 120 m on a side.
<b>Figure 3.52:</b> Different paths taken by people walking in a city.
Figure 3.52: Different paths taken by people walking in a city.
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Final Answer

a) 480 m480 \textrm{ m}

b) 379 m, 71.6∘ N of E379 \textrm{ m, } 71.6^\circ \textrm{ N of E}

Solution video

OpenStax College Physics, Chapter 3, Problem 1 (Problems & Exercises)

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Itried solving it but I get 18.4 degrees instead of 71. 56. Tangent ^-1 (120/360)

You've input dx/dy in for tan^-1, it needs to be dy/dx. So you can either use blocks (360/120) or blocks (3/1). You have the right idea you just need to flip the fraction.