A rectangular parcel of land starts from the point of beginning and measures 180 feet north, 90 feet east, then 180 feet south. What is the length and direction of the last side?

• A. 90 ft west
• B. 90 ft east
• C. 180 ft west
• D. 180 ft east

Answer: (A)

The path forms a rectangle, so opposite directions along the same axis must cancel to close the shape. The first move goes north 180 and the third move goes south 180, so vertically you end up on the same horizontal line as the start. The middle move goes east 90, so you’re 90 feet east of the starting point. To return to the starting point, the last side must go 90 feet to the west. So the last side is 90 ft long and directed west.