A man drives 10 mi North and then 20 mi to East. What are the magnitude and direction of his displacement.

Answer 1

You need the magnitude and direction of the line from his starting point to finishing point

Magnitude will be √ (10² + 20²) using Pythagorean Theorem

If ∅ is the angle between a line due North and the direction then tan ∅ = (20/10)

So ∅ = tan^-1 (20/10) = 63.4 °

So the direction can be specified as

1. 63.4 ° east of North
2. Bearing 63.4º