Question

A person walked 40 metres towards North, took a left turn and walked 20 metres. He again took a left turn and walked 40 metres. How far and in which direction is he from the starting point?

• A. 28 metres South
• B. 20 metres North
• C. 30 metres East
• D. 20 metres West

Hint:

Observe that the first and third movements are opposite (North 40m and South 40m). They cancel each other out, leaving only the middle movement (20m West).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Direction problems are solved by tracking the path on a 2D plane (North-South, East-West).
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Assign North as +y, South as -y, East as +x, and West as -x.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
1. Start at (0, 0).
2. Walk 40m North: Position = (0, 40).
3. Turn left (West) and walk 20m: Position = (-20, 40).
4. Turn left (South) and walk 40m: Position = (-20, 40 - 40) = (-20, 0).
5. The final coordinates are (-20, 0). This means the person is 20 metres away in the West direction.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The person is 20 metres West from the starting point.