How to calculate total momentum a

If inelastic, then the total amount of system momentum before the collision (and after) can be determined by using the Pythagorean theorem.

If inelastic, then the total amount of system momentum before the collision (and after) can be determined by using the Pythagorean theorem. Since the two colliding objects travel together in the same direction after the collision, the total momentum is simply the total mass of the objects multiplied by their velocity.