Displacement Math Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
A person walks 5 m east and then 5 m west. What is their displacement?

Solution

  1. 1
    Step 1: Represent east as positive x and west as negative x.
  2. 2
    Step 2: Displacement =+5+(−5)=0= +5 + (-5) = 0 m.
  3. 3
    Step 3: The person is back at their starting point — zero displacement.

Answer

Displacement = 0 m (back to start).
Displacement is the straight-line vector from the starting point to the ending point. It depends only on start and end positions, not the path taken. Total distance walked was 10 m, but displacement was 0 — an important distinction.

About Displacement

The straight-line change in position from start to end, with both a distance and a direction.

Learn more about Displacement →

More Displacement Examples

Example 2 medium

A robot moves from point [formula] to point [formula]. Find the displacement vector and its magnitud

Example 3 easy

A car drives 3 km north, then 4 km east. What is the magnitude of the total displacement?

Example 4 hard

A particle undergoes three displacements: [formula], [formula], [formula]. Find the net displacement

← All Displacement Examples Displacement Concept