Correct Option (2)
To determine the shortest distance, we analyze the net displacement in the East-West and North-South directions from the starting point (house) to the final point (bank).
- Initial movement: 10 km South.
- First turn left: 20 km East (from South, a left turn is East).
- Second turn left: 40 km North (from East, a left turn is North).
- Third turn right: 5 km East (from North, a right turn is East).
- Fourth turn right: 30 km South (from East, a right turn is South).
Calculating the net displacement:
- Net East-West displacement: 20 km (East) + 5 km (East) = 25 km East.
- Net North-South displacement: 40 km (North) - 10 km (South) - 30 km (South) = 40 km North - 40 km South = 0 km.
Thus, the bank is located 25 km to the East of the house, with no net displacement in the North-South direction. The shortest distance between the house and the bank is the straight-line distance, which is 25 km.
Incorrect Options:
Options 1 (20 km), 3 (30 km), and 4 (35 km) are incorrect. These values do not represent the calculated shortest straight-line distance of 25 km between the employee's house and the bank. They may result from partial calculations or incorrect summation of displacements.