Distance and Displacement: Definitions, Examples and FAQs - Free Printable

The image illustrates the concept of distance as the length of the path between two points, specifically showing a journey from point A to point C via point B.

Problem:

We are given a path that goes from point A → B → C, with the following distances:
- From A to B: 4 meters
- From B to C: 3 meters
- From A to C directly: 5 meters (this is shown as a diagonal path)

But the total distance traveled along the path A → B → C is being calculated.

---

Step-by-step Solution:

1. Identify the path taken:
The person starts at point A, goes to B, then to C.

2. Add the lengths of each segment of the path:
- Distance from A to B = 4 m
- Distance from B to C = 3 m

So, total distance traveled =
$$
4\,\text{m} + 3\,\text{m} = 7\,\text{m}
$$

However, in the image, it says:
> "Distance here will be = 4m + 3m + 5m = 12 m"

This seems incorrect unless there's an additional segment.

Let’s double-check the diagram:
- There is a direct path from A to C labeled as 5 m.
- But if the path is only A → B → C, then only 4 m + 3 m = 7 m should be added.

However, the image includes the 5 m path from A to C in the sum, which suggests a misunderstanding or mislabeling.

But wait — perhaps the total distance covered includes going from A to B to C and back to A? That would make sense if the path were A → B → C → A, but that's not stated.

Alternatively, maybe the 5 m is the direct distance from A to C, and the actual path is A → B → C, so we don’t include the 5 m unless we're taking that route.

But the image says:
> "Distance here will be = 4m + 3m + 5m = 12 m"

This implies three segments are being added: AB, BC, and AC — which doesn't make sense for a single path.

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Conclusion:

There appears to be a mistake in the explanation in the image.

- If the path is A → B → C, then the total distance is:
$$
AB + BC = 4\,\text{m} + 3\,\text{m} = 7\,\text{m}
$$

- The 5 m is the straight-line distance from A to C, which is not part of the path unless the person takes that route.

- Therefore, the correct distance for the path A → B → C is 7 meters, not 12 meters.

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Correct Answer:

> The length of the path from A to C via B is 7 meters.

The statement in the image ("4m + 3m + 5m = 12 m") is incorrect because it adds the direct path (AC) to the actual path, which is not logical.

✔ Correct calculation:
$$
\text{Distance} = AB + BC = 4\,\text{m} + 3\,\text{m} = \boxed{7\,\text{m}}
$$

Let me know if you'd like clarification on displacement vs. distance or how to calculate shortest paths!