Question

a tortoise, bernard, starting at point a travels 12 m west and then 150 millimeters (mm) east. how far west of point a is bernard after completing these two motions?

Explanation:

Step1: Convert units

Since \(1\ m = 1000\ mm\), then \(150\ mm=\frac{150}{1000}m = 0.15m\)

Step2: Calculate the net displacement west

Let the west - ward direction be positive. The tortoise moves \(d_1 = 12m\) west and \(d_2=- 0.15m\) (east is the opposite of west). The net displacement \(d=d_1 + d_2\)
\(d=12+( - 0.15)\)
\(d = 11.85m\)

Answer:

\(11.85m\)