Derek runs 4 laps around the track. If each lap around the track is 0.25 miles long, and he starts and stops in the same location, what is Derek's displacement?

A.0.5 miles
B.0 miles
C.1.0 miles
D.0.25 miles

Question

Derek runs 4 laps around the track. If each lap around the track is 0.25 miles long, and he starts and stops in the same location, what is Derek's displacement?

 	A.0.5 miles
 	B.0 miles
 	C.1.0 miles
 	D.0.25 miles

anonymous · Answer

B. 0 miles

stormfire1 · Answer

milkcowmoo is correct.  Remember that displacement is a straight line from the starting point to the ending point, regardless of the path it took to get there.  In your question, the starting point and ending points are the same so the displacement is 0.