Back to home from a misdirected path: A boy goes 3 km South from school, then 2 km East, then 3 km North, then 1 km West to reach home. Home is in which direction from the school?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: East

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Compute net displacement from the school to the home after the loop-like path.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • South 3 then North 3 ⇒ vertical cancels to 0.
  • East 2 then West 1 ⇒ net East 1.


Concept / Approach:
Combine orthogonal components to get resultant direction.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Start (0,0) → (0,−3) → (2,−3) → (2,0) → (1,0).Home relative to school = (1,0) ⇒ East.


Verification / Alternative check:
Only an uncompensated 1 km East remains.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They require residual North/South/West components which do not exist.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming last West step overcompensates the earlier East move.


Final Answer:
East

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