Question

excited to see the new exhibits at the art museum, neil walked 0.5 kilometers from his car to the entrance. he then walked 0.8 kilometers in the same direction, looking at the exhibits. he wanted to buy a souvenir, so he walked 1.3 kilometers in the opposite direction to his car to get some money. finally, he walked 0.5 kilometers in the original direction back to the museum entrance. assume the direction neil started walking is the positive direction. what was neils displacement? \boxed{} kilometers

Explanation:

Step1: Assign signs to distances

Let positive = original direction, negative = opposite.
Distances: $+0.5$, $+0.8$, $-1.3$, $+0.5$

Step2: Sum all displacement values

$$0.5 + 0.8 - 1.3 + 0.5$$

Step3: Calculate the total

$$1.3 - 1.3 + 0.5 = 0.5$$

Answer:

0.5 kilometers