I am facing West. I turn 100° in the anticlockwise direction and then 145° in the clockwise direction. Which direction am I facing now?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → North-West
Turns in opposite directions cancel each other in part, so only the net turn matters. Measuring directions clockwise from North (North 0°, East 90°, South 180°, West 270°):
Start: West, 270°
100° anticlockwise: \(270-100=170^\circ\), just short of South
145° clockwise: \(170+145=315^\circ\), halfway between West (270°) and North (360°), that is, North-West
Tip: The net turn here is \(145-100=45^\circ\) clockwise, and 45° clockwise from West is North-West. Working out the net turn first saves tracking each turn.