Question:medium

A boy leaves his house. He travels 6 km towards South, then travels 8 km towards West and further travels 9 km towards South. How far and in which direction is he from his house now?

Updated On: May 1, 2026
  • 13 km, South West
  • 17 km, South West
  • 17 km, North West
  • 13 km, West
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To ascertain the boy's final distance and bearing from his residence, we will map his movement and compute the net displacement.

1. The boy's initial displacement is 6 km southward.

2. Subsequently, he moves 8 km westward.

3. His final movement is an additional 9 km southward.

This cumulative southward movement totals \(6 + 9 = 15\) km.

The boy's journey forms a right-angled triangle with legs measuring 15 km south and 8 km west.

The direct distance from his home is the hypotenuse, calculated using the Pythagorean theorem:

\[c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}\]

Here, \(a = 15\) km and \(b = 8\) km.

Substituting these values yields:

\[c = \sqrt{15^2 + 8^2}\]

\[c = \sqrt{225 + 64}\]

\[c = \sqrt{289}\]

\[c = 17\]

Consequently, the boy is located 17 km from his house.

Regarding his direction, given his travel south and west, his bearing from home is south-west.

Therefore, the boy is positioned 17 km South West of his origin.

Was this answer helpful?
4


Questions Asked in CUET (UG) exam