Direction sense – “Pass the Ball” positions: A is 20 m north of B. B is 18 m east of C. C is 12 m west of A. If the ball was initially with B and is passed to C, from B’s starting point in which direction is C located?
-
AWest
-
BNorth-West
-
CSouth-West
-
DNorth
-
ESouth
Answer
Correct Answer: West
Explanation
Introduction / Context:This is a direction-sense puzzle about relative placement of three players A, B, and C on a plane. We must report the direction of C as seen from B’s original position at the moment the ball is passed from B to C.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- A is 20 m north of B.
- B is 18 m east of C (so C is 18 m west of B).
- C is 12 m west of A (statement structure makes the set slightly inconsistent across all three constraints; we therefore rely on the minimally sufficient relation B–C for the query).
- Required: direction of C from B at the pass instant.
Concept / Approach:Use a coordinate frame. Place B at the origin for convenience. Directions: east = +x, north = +y. If B is 18 m east of C, then C is 18 m to the west of B along the negative x-axis with no north/south displacement.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Let B = (0, 0).Given “B is 18 m east of C” ⇒ C = (−18, 0).Vector from B to C is (−18, 0) i.e., due West.Verification / Alternative check:Any north/south offset would have appeared as “north of” or “south of.” Absent such text, the direction must be purely horizontal towards the west.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- North-West / South-West imply vertical displacement not stated.
- North or South contradicts the explicit east–west relation.
- South is unrelated to the described offset.
Common Pitfalls:Trying to force all three relational lines into a single consistent triangle; the question only needs B→C direction, which is unambiguous.
Final Answer:West