A softball player leaves the batters box, overruns first base by 3.0 meters, and then returns to first base. Compared to the total distance traveled by the player, how much smaller or larger is the magnitude of the players total displacement from the batters box?

Answer :

AL2006
The distance traveled during his run is 6 meters more than his displacement. Displacement only depends on the end points. The route taken is irrelevant to displacement.