Question

Q started from a point and walked towards the south for 42 m and reached point A. Q then turned right from point A and walked 2 m, he then turned right again and walked 30 m. Q turned left now and walked 10 m, he then turned left again and walked 30 m. How far is Q from point A? (All turns are 90 degree turns only)

• A. 52 m
• B. 12 m
• C. 42 m
• D. 30 m

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 12 m

Q is 12 m away from point A.

1. At Point A: Q arrives here facing South.

2. First Turn (Right): Facing South, a right turn means Q is now walking West. He walks 2 m West.

3. Second Turn (Right): Facing West, a right turn means Q is now walking North. He walks 30 m North.

4. Third Turn (Left): Facing North, a left turn means Q is now walking West. He walks 10 m West.

5. Fourth Turn (Left): Facing West, a left turn means Q is now walking South. He walks 30 m South.

Calculating the Distance from Point A

• Vertical Movement (North/South): Q went 30 m North and then came 30 m straight back South. This brings him perfectly back to the same horizontal line as Point A.

• Horizontal Movement (West): Q first walked 2 m West, and later walked another 10 m West.

Total distance West from Point A = $2\text{ m} + 10\text{ m} = \mathbf{12\text{ m}}$