Relative home direction after a 3-leg path: Radhika: 50 m South, then 20 m East, then 30 m North. From this point, in which direction is her home?
Verbal Reasoning
Direction Sense Test
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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ANorth
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BSouth-West
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CEast
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DNorth-West
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ENone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: North-West
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Compute net displacement and then the direction from the current point back to the origin (home).
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Total South = 50 m; total North = 30 m ⇒ net 20 m South.
- Total East = 20 m; no West ⇒ net 20 m East.
Concept / Approach:Current position relative to home is (East 20, South 20). Therefore, home from current point is the opposite bearing: 20 West and 20 North ⇒ North-West.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Start (0,0) → (0,−50) → (20,−50) → (20,−20).Home vector from (20,−20) → (0,0) is (−20,+20) ⇒ NW.Verification / Alternative check:Equal magnitudes imply a 45° NW heading.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:North suggests only y-change; East suggests only x-change; South-West is opposite.
Common Pitfalls:Giving the direction of the current point from home instead of home from current point.
Final Answer:North-West