A hiker walks 3.7 km from his base camp 55 degrees east of south and camps for the night. The next day he walks 4.1 km in a direction 25 degrees east of north.
a) How far and in what direction is the hiker from his base camp at the end of the second day?
b) If the hiker had walked only north or south the first day, and only east or west the second day, how far and in what directions would he have walked each day from his base camp to arrive at the same destination?

Question

A hiker walks 3.7 km from his base camp 55 degrees east of south and camps for the night. The next day he walks 4.1 km in a direction 25 degrees east of north. 
a) How far and in what direction is the hiker from his base camp at the end of the second day? 
b) If the hiker had walked only north or south the first day, and only east or west the second day, how far and in what directions would he have walked each day from his base camp to arrive at the same destination?

mathmale · Answer

I strongly suggest that you draw a diagram that shows both the angles and the distances involved.  Mark the axes to show N, E, S, and W.  Without a diagram it's very easy to get confused.

anonymous · Answer

I've tried to draw the diagram and get the correct triangle, that's what I've been having problems with. This was my original diagram:|dw:1389748256411:dw|