Starting at station P, a survey team moves 26 km East, then 20 km North, then 14 km West, then 11 km South. Find the straight-line distance between its final position and P.

Last Updated: 07 Sept 2026

A17 km

B15 km

C13 km

D71 km

Correct Answer: 15 kmYour Answer: B

Explanation

Step 1: Mark the starting point as O(0,0) and choose East as +x and North as +y. | Step 2: Horizontal calculation: +26 + −14 = 12 km; hence the final point is east of O by 12 km. | Step 3: Vertical calculation: +20 + −11 = 9 km; hence it is north of O by 9 km. | Step 4: The two remaining components are perpendicular, so form a right triangle with sides 12 km and 9 km. | Step 6: The total route is 71 km, but that is not the required shortest distance; the direct displacement is 15 km. | Final Answer: Option B — 15 km.

Important Notes

Separate total path length from displacement; the question asks for the straight-line gap between start and finish. |
Use East = +x, West = −x, North = +y and South = −y. |
Combine all horizontal moves and all vertical moves before using a formula. |
A route may be long while its displacement is small, so never add every segment unless total distance is requested. |
Recheck squares, the square root and rounding before marking the answer.

Test your Distance and Direction knowledge

Start Topic Test

Same Topic MCQs

View All

Before sunset, a vertical pole casts a shadow towards East. Identify the Sun's dire...A tree casts its shadow towards West in the early morning. In which direction is th...In the evening, Ajay's shadow falls on his left. Determine the direction he is faci...

Starting at station P, a survey team moves 26 km East, then 20 km North, then 14 km West, then 11 km South. Find the straight-line distance between its final position and P.

Explanation

Important Notes

Related Questions

Test your Distance and Direction knowledge

Same Topic MCQs