Question

GIVING MEDAL.
A taxicab starts at (1, -2) on the grid. It goes 4 blocks south and 3 blocks east to pick up a passenger. Then it goes 6 blocks west and 5 blocks north and drops off the passenger. How many blocks is the taxicab from its starting position?
A. 3 blocks west and 1 block north
B. 3 blocks east and 1 block south
C. 1 block east and 3 blocks south
D. 1 block west and 3 blocks south

Answer 1

Starts at (1, - 2), moves 4 down on the vertical(N/S) y- and 3 right on the horizontal(E/W) x-axis, so it gets to point ((1+3), (-2 - 4)) = (4, -6)
Respectfully the next move gets it to point ((4 - 6), (-6 + 5)) = (-2, -1)
To calculate the range, use simple algebra:
Difference in x is:
x final - starting x = -2 - 1 = -3
So it traveled 3 blocks left on the number line which is west.

Respectfully:
y path = -1 - (-2) = -1 + 2 = 1
The cab travels 1 block up on the y-axis which in the north direction.

So, correct answer is A - 3 blocks west, 1 block north.