Question

A man walked 5 km towards North then 8 km towards South. What is his final position with respect to his initial position?

• A. 4 units
• B. -4 units
• C. -3 units
• D. 1 unit

Answer 1

The correct option is C

-3 units

The north direction can be taken as positive and south as negative.
Then walking 5 km towards north can be taken as +5 units.
Walking 8 km towards south can be taken as -8 units.
The final position = +5 - 8 = -3 units.
Here, the '-' sign shows that he is in south direction with respect to his initial position.
$\Rightarrow$ The man's final position is 3 units to the south with respect to his initial position.