A student walks 10meters east down a hallway before realizing she has dropped a book. She turns around and walks 3meters west to pick it up. She then turns back around and walks 8 more meters east to her classroom. What is the total distance? What is the total displacement?


If in doubt...sketch it out!


The total distance traveled is 8 m

Her displacement was 10 m east



The total distance traveled is 15 m

Her displacement was 3 m east



The total distance traveled is 10 m

Her displacement was 15 m east



The total distance traveled is 21 m

Her displacement was 15 m east