Use the graphical technique for adding vectors to find the total displacement of a person who
walks the following three paths (displacements) on a flat field. First, she walks 25.0 m in a
direction 49.0º north of east. Then, she walks 23.0 m heading 15.0º north of east. Finally, she
turns and walks 32.0 m in a direction 68.0° south of east.
Adding Vectors Using Component Method
1. Find the x- and y- components for the first vector
2. Find the x- and y- components for the second vector
3. Add the x-component of the first and second vectors.
4. Add the y-component of the first and second vectors.
5. Use the Pythagorean theorem to solve for the resultant (sum of the two or more vectors)
6. Use the inverse tangent to solve for the angle of the resultant
80 degrees West of South
45 degrees W of N
Ex.
VECTOR ADDITION
ANALYTICAL METHOD
When you use the analytical method of vector addition, you can determine the
components or the magnitude and direction of a vector.
Terms to Remember:
1. Vector – magnitude with direction
2. Resultant Vector - sum of two or more vectors total displacement
3. x-component vector towards East or West (to right-left)
4. y-component vector towards North or South (Upward – Downward)
Example.
Determine the x- and y-component of the vector whose magnitude is 50 mph and it makes a 60 ° with
the negative x-axis
V x =Vcosθ
V x =50 cos 120 °
V x =−25 mph
Angle – measured from positive x-axis to the vector
V y =Vsinθ
V y =50 sin 120 °
V y =43 mph
Seatwork
1. 35 m/s at 57° from the x-axis.
2. 12 m/s at 34° S of W
3. 8 m/s South
4. 20 m/s 275° from the x-axis
Ex. Ax=3m east Ay=4mAy=4m north,
1.
A = 36 m 34° N of E
B = 23 m 64° W of N
A = 36 m 34° N of E
B = 23 m 64° W of N
Vector x-component y-component
d1 d 1 x = 36 ( cos 34° ) d 1 y = 36 ( sin 34° )
d 1 x = 29.85 m d 1 y = 20.13 m
d2 d 2 x = 23 ( cos 154° ) d 2 y = 23 ( sin 154° )
d 2 x = -20.67m d 2 y = 10.08m
To solve for the magnitude of the resultant vector:
❑ 2 ❑ 2
d R=
√(∑
dx ) (∑ )
❑ +
dy
❑
2 2
d R=√ ( 9.18 ) + ( 30.21 )
d R=31.57 m
To solve for the angle:
dy
−1
θ=tan
dx
30.21
θ=tan −1
9.18
θ=73.1°
θ=73.1° N of E
QUIZ
1. A car travels 20 mi at 60° north of west, then 35° mi at 45o north of east.
2. A hiker begins a trip by walking 25.0 km at 45° south of east from his base camp . Then he
walks 40.0 km at 60° north of east. Determine the magnitude and direction of the total
displacement.
Vertex form
f ( x )=a(x−h)2 k
y=3 (x−4 )2−2