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
  • A
    North
  • B
    South-West
  • C
    East
  • D
    North-West
  • E
    None 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

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