Question

Foraging bees often move in straight lines away from and toward their hives. Suppose a bee starts at its hive and flies 500 m due east, then flies 420 m west, then 670 m east. Part A How far is the bee from the hive? Express your answer with the appropriate units.

Answer 1

Let us consider the east direction as positive and the west direction as negative.

Displacement of the bee in the first part = D₁ = 500 m

Displacement of the bee in the second part = D₂ = -420 m (Negative as it is directed to the west)

Displacement of the bee in the third part = D₃ = 670 m

Total displacement of the bee = D

D = D₁ + D₂ + D₃

D = 500 + (-420) + 670

D = 750 m

A) Distance of the bee from the hive = 750 m