PROBLEM:

Find the following for path A in the figure:

(a) The distance traveled.

(b) The magnitude of the displacement from start to finish.

(c) The displacement from start to finish.

SOLUTION:

Part A

A travels from 0 to 7. The distance traveled is 7 meters.

Part B

The magnitude of the displacement is 7 meters.

Part C

The displacement is the difference between the final and initial positions.

\begin{align*}
\Delta x & =7\:\text{m}-0\:\text{m}=+7\:\text{m} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)\\
\end{align*}