With the aid of a diagram solve: A rocket travels a distance of 4m southwards and 3m westwards, determine the magnitude
To find the magnitude of the displacement of the rocket, we can use the Pythagorean theorem.
The rocket traveled 4m southwards and 3m westwards, forming a right triangle.
Let's label the sides of the triangle as follows:
- The southward distance as "a" (4m)
- The westward distance as "b" (3m)
- The displacement (the hypotenuse) as "c" (unknown magnitude)
By applying the Pythagorean theorem, we have:
c² = a² + b²
c² = (4m)² + (3m)²
c² = 16m² + 9m²
c² = 25m²
Taking the square root of both sides, we find:
c = √(25m²)
c = 5m
Therefore, the magnitude of the displacement of the rocket is 5m.