Thursday, October 28, 2010

How To Add Vectors

  • If the givens are collinear, set a reference direction and solve by addition/ subtraction.
  • If givens are not collinear, draw head-to-tail arrows in the direction of travel.
  • Draw and label the resultant vector. From start of first to end of last component vector.
  • Label your positive axis, for example North and East are positive, therefore South and West are negative.
  • Group and add all the X components. Do the same for Y components. (N and S are Y components, E and W are X components)
  • Using c²= a²+b² ( Pythagorean theorem), find magnitude (c²).
  • Now use SOH CAH TOA to find the angle of direction. 


Therefore, the final hypoteneuse is the resultant vector and the final angle is the angle of direction.

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