Question

You are standing on a number line facing in the forward(positive) direction. If you take 2 steps back, then 5 steps forward; then double the distance from your starting point;take two steps back then move half the distance towards the starting point and then take three steps backwards. How many steps from the starting point are you? A Do you need to move forward(positive direction) or backwards (negative direction) to get back to the starting point? A/

Answer 1

Initially I am standing at 0 (starting point).

Then after taking 2 steps back, I am now standing at -2.

Then after taking 5 steps forward, I am now standing at 3 (= -2 + 5).

Then after doubling the distance from my starting point, I am now standing at 6 (= 3 × 2).

Then after taking 2 steps back, I am now standing at 4 (= 6 - 2).

Then after moving half the distance towards the starting point, I am now standing at 2 (= 4 - (4 ÷ 2) ).

Then finally, after taking 3 steps backwards, I am now standing at -1 (= 2 - 3).

Answer:

(1) I am 1 step away from the starting point in the backward direction.

(2) I need to move 1 step forward to get back to the starting point ( since -1 + 1 = 0).