A boat travels due North at 5km/h for 3 hours, then changes course and sails due east for 2 hours, adjusting his speed to 8km/h. What is his total displacement from his original position?

  1. Begin by setting up the problem with a diagram. Yu should draw a right angled triangle, with currently unknown lengths.2) Calculate the distance travelled for the two parts of the journey. Use Distance = speed x time, i.e. for the first part the distance travelled will be 15km and for the second part, 16km.3) Use Pythagoras' theorem to determine the length of the hypotenuse, i.e. the total displacement. displacement = (152 + 162)1/2 = 29.1km
Answered by Emma C. Maths tutor

2279 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

solve the simultaneous equations x^2 + y^2 = 5 and 3x+1=y


Simplify fully (3x^2 -8x- 3)/(2x^2-6x)


Solve 3y^2 – 60y + 220 = 0 using the quadratic formula:


How do I go about adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences