guy runs 300m north and then 400m southeast at a 45 degree angle north. at a consistent speed, how far is he from the starting position?

Question

Can you help me solve this problem; also by including the steps used to solve problem?

Answer 1

Quincy,

 

Guy runs 300 meter N

Then he runs 400 m South east at 45 degrees angle

 

You need to plot this on a paper

 

You will notice that he is North east of his starting point

 

Assume he is x meters east and y meters North of starting position

 

Sin 45 = x/400 or x = 400*0.707 = 282.8 m

 

Also Cos 45 = (300 - y)/400

300-y = 282.8

y = 17.2 m

 

So he is 17.2 m North and 282.8 m East of his starting position.