Question

Three balls initially at rest are released from the origin in the same direction and covers a distance of $5\text{m}$, $9\text{m}$ and $15\text{m}$ respectively. What will be the position of the ball farthest from the origin w.r.t the ball nearest to the origin?

Answer 1

Assuming the distance is covered in positive direction.

Given,
Position of the farthest ball, $x_f=+15\text{m}$

Position of the nearest ball, $x_n=+5\text{m}$

Position of farthest w.r.t nearest ball, $x_{fn}=x_f-x_n=15-5=+10\text{m}$

We may also assume the distance is covered in negative direction. Then $x_{fn}=-10\text{m}$

But since only positive values are given in the option, it means only magnitude is asked.

Hence, option $\left(\text{D}\right)$ is the correct answer.