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CGP EDU Academic Team
Published on: September 12, 2026
A motorboat is observed to travel 10 km h –1 relative to the earth in the direction 37º north of east. If the velocity of the boat due to the wind only is 2 km h –1 westward and that due to the current only is 4 km h –1 southward, what is the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the boat due to its own power ?
Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsThe correct answer is:
A
Step 1: Define the vectors involved.
The velocity of the boat relative to the earth (V_BE) is 10 km h-1 at 37º north of east.
Convert this to its component form:
V_BE_x = 10 * cos(37º) and V_BE_y = 10 * sin(37º).
Step 2: Calculate the components:
V_BE_x = 10 * 0.7986 ≈ 7.986 km h-1 (eastward)
V_BE_y = 10 * 0.6018 ≈ 6.018 km h-1 (northward)
Step 3: Note the contributions from wind and current:
Wind velocity (V_W) = -2 km h-1 (westward, negative in x)
Current velocity (V_C) = -4 km h-1 (southward, negative in y)
Step 4: Write the resulting velocity of the boat due to its own power (V_BP):
V_BP = V_BE - V_W - V_C
V_BP_x = V_BE_x + 2 km h-1 (eastward)
V_BP_y = V_BE_y + 4 km h-1 (northward)
Step 5: Substitute values:
V_BP_x = 7.986 + 2 = 9.986 km h-1 (eastward)
V_BP_y = 6.018 + 4 = 10.018 km h-1 (northward)
Step 6: Find the magnitude:
\|V_BP\| = \sqrt{(9.986)^2 + (10.018)^2} \approx \sqrt{99.72 + 100.36} = \sqrt{200.08} \approx 14.14 km h-1.
Step 7: Find the direction:
\theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{10.018}{9.986}\right) \approx \tan^{-1}(1.003) \approx 45.0º north of east.
Therefore, the magnitude is approximately 14.14 km h-1 and the direction is approximately 45º north of east.
The velocity of the boat relative to the earth (V_BE) is 10 km h-1 at 37º north of east.
Convert this to its component form:
V_BE_x = 10 * cos(37º) and V_BE_y = 10 * sin(37º).
Step 2: Calculate the components:
V_BE_x = 10 * 0.7986 ≈ 7.986 km h-1 (eastward)
V_BE_y = 10 * 0.6018 ≈ 6.018 km h-1 (northward)
Step 3: Note the contributions from wind and current:
Wind velocity (V_W) = -2 km h-1 (westward, negative in x)
Current velocity (V_C) = -4 km h-1 (southward, negative in y)
Step 4: Write the resulting velocity of the boat due to its own power (V_BP):
V_BP = V_BE - V_W - V_C
V_BP_x = V_BE_x + 2 km h-1 (eastward)
V_BP_y = V_BE_y + 4 km h-1 (northward)
Step 5: Substitute values:
V_BP_x = 7.986 + 2 = 9.986 km h-1 (eastward)
V_BP_y = 6.018 + 4 = 10.018 km h-1 (northward)
Step 6: Find the magnitude:
\|V_BP\| = \sqrt{(9.986)^2 + (10.018)^2} \approx \sqrt{99.72 + 100.36} = \sqrt{200.08} \approx 14.14 km h-1.
Step 7: Find the direction:
\theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{10.018}{9.986}\right) \approx \tan^{-1}(1.003) \approx 45.0º north of east.
Therefore, the magnitude is approximately 14.14 km h-1 and the direction is approximately 45º north of east.
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