Question

A caterpillar travels straight for 3 cm, and then turns left and crawls 4 centimeters farther. If its final position is east of its initial position, what is its displacement from its initial position?

Answer 1

3-squared + 4-squared = 5-squared

The bug's displacement is 5cm east.

Answer 2

Answer:

Displacement 5 cm from 45 degree above the initial position.

Explanation:

A caterpillar travels straight for 3 cm and then turns left 4 cm. Displacement is the difference between the final and initial position. Displacement is a vector quantity.

vector addition:

$R = \sqrt {3^2+4^2} = 5 cm$