Simple Vector Sum Problem But My Calculated Angles Weird

In summary, the problem involves a car traveling 210 m [N32°E] and then 37 m [S51°W] and finding the distance from the origin using the cosine and sine laws. The resulting solution is 173m [N33.5E]. The conversation also includes a discussion on the angles not adding up to 180 degrees, with a clarification that the angle between the two known vectors is actually 19 degrees.
  • #1
jwj11
37
0
[SOLVED] Simple Vector Sum Problem... But My Calculated Angles Weird...

Homework Statement



A car travels 210 m [N32°E] and then travels 37 m [S51°W]. How far is the car from the origin?

Homework Equations



Cosine Law.
C^2=A^2+B^2-2(A)(B)(CosC)

Sine Law.
C/CosC=A/CosA

The Attempt at a Solution



C^2=210^2+37^2-(2)(210)(37)(Cos7)
C=173m

173/Sin7=37/Sin(theta)
Theta=1.5 Degrees

32 Degrees + 1.5 Degrees = [N33.5E]

Resultant solution = 173m [N33.5E]

I'm not sure if I got this question right... although I am sure that the magnitude is correct. However when I try to solve for all of the angles of the triangle, it does not add up to 180 Degrees. The problem is kind of funky because the angles are so small.
Can anyone tell me why the angles don't add up to 180 degrees... I have checked my solution 3 times but I still don't get where I could of made a mistake.

In fact, after I find out all the angles and add up I get this.
8.5 Degrees + 1.5 Degrees + 7 Degrees = 17 Degrees... That is way lower than 180.
I don't know how the hell I am getting 8.5 Degrees. I think it is because of some sine rule that I don't know, because 1.5 + 7 degrees = 8.5 degrees.
Can anyone explain this to me? Why is my calc saying 8.5 degrees instead of 171.5 Degrees.
 
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  • #2
Seems like if you draw this out and add the vectors graphically, you get the one going north of east at 32 degrees, then coming from the head of that vector is the second smaller one going 51 degrees south of west, and the resultant vector goes from the tail of the first to the head of the second, right?

So in that triangle, seems like the angle between the two known vectors is 19 degrees, and from looking at the picture the resultant vector's angle(in terms of degrees north of east)should be LESS than the original, not more

Also looking at it graphically, you're going to have two small angles(one of which I believe is 19 degrees)and one big one larger than 90 degrees
 
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  • #3
How did you get 19 degrees for the angle between the two known vectors.
So 90-51-32=19 eh? I would double check your subtraction.
I really don't think that is the problem at hand.
Look at my last sentence in the original post.
 
  • #4
I'm just drawing the hell out of it and I still think it's 19(which is 51-32 fyi)

But let's say it was 7, I'm assuming you used the law of sines then?

Which you typed as C/CosC=A/CosA
and man I could've sworn the law of sines included a different trig function that wasn't COsine...

Not to mention that it looks like you used capital letters for the sides, though I think that part may've been a typo(so the angle across from side C is usually denoted c)
 
  • #5
Can you explain your logic for subtracting 51-32? That whole quadrant is 90 degrees. We know that one of the angles is 32 degrees, due to opposite angles theorem. 90-32 is equal to 58 degrees, which is greater than 51 degrees. We know can conclude that there is a 7 degree angle between those two angles.

Wow you get my point. I am running on two cans of redbull here give me a break. Sine law would use Sine sorry for the mistake. And yes those capital letters to distinguish angles from length are typos.
 
  • #6
At least the two cans of redbull is probably why you could make sense of my last paragraph there(I meant to point out you used caps for both, and the same one at that...)

As for the 19, I just drew it. I'd do this in paint and upload it except I'm lazy, soooo...draw both originating from the origin, with positive y-axis as north and all the usual stuff. So I have the larger vector going north east, and the other going southwest

You're trying to find the angle between them if you drew them like you were adding them, so if the tail of the second vector originates from the head of the first

So to find this angle, couldn't you extend the tail of the first vector down into quadrant three? It's a transverse line intersecting the x axis, so from geometry, the angle between the x-axis and the extension of vector 1 into quadrant 3 is 32 degrees, and we know that the angle between the x-axis and the second vector is 51 degrees and it's also in the third quadrant...
 
  • #7
#@%@#%@#$I see my mistake now. Thanks. I drew [W51S] instead of [S51W].
God bless procrastination=hindersperformance.
 

1. What is a simple vector sum problem?

A simple vector sum problem involves finding the resultant vector when two or more vectors are added together. This is done by using the head-to-tail method or by breaking the vectors into their x and y components and adding them separately.

2. How do I solve a simple vector sum problem?

To solve a simple vector sum problem, first draw a diagram of the given vectors and their directions. Then, use the head-to-tail method or break the vectors into their x and y components. Finally, add the vectors together and find the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.

3. What are calculated angles in a simple vector sum problem?

Calculated angles in a simple vector sum problem refer to the angles formed between the resultant vector and the original vectors. These angles can be found using trigonometric functions such as sine, cosine, and tangent.

4. Why are my calculated angles weird in a simple vector sum problem?

There could be a few reasons why the calculated angles in a simple vector sum problem may seem weird. One possible reason is that there may be errors in the calculations or measurements. Another reason could be that the vectors are not drawn accurately in the diagram, leading to incorrect angles.

5. How can I check if my calculated angles are correct in a simple vector sum problem?

To check if your calculated angles are correct in a simple vector sum problem, you can use the law of cosines or law of sines to verify the results. You can also double-check your calculations and make sure that the vectors are accurately represented in the diagram.

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