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DevilTemptations
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After spending about an hour on this problem, I've become completely convinced that my math book is wrong in the answer it provides. Am I wrong or right? This is from the Harcourt Geometry and Discrete Mathematics Text.
Question:
Find the sum of the vectors u and v if theta is the angle between them.
Given:
u=3 (magnitude)
v=10 (magnitude)
theta=115 degrees
Obviously, the angles in a parallelogram equal to 360. This means the other vertexs are 65 degrees. Then I would use the cosine law to solve for the sum of the vectors. (I wish I could draw a diagram but I can't). So...
u+v^2=(10)^2+(3)^2-2(10)(3)Cos 65 degrees
therefore, u+v=9.1 (approx)
However, the back of the book says u+v=11.6
I've found that to get 11.6, instead of putting Cos 65, I'd have to put Cos 115 but that would not follow according to the laws. Another way is instead of finding the sum, I'd actually be finding the DIFFERENCE between the vectors.
Then I thought maybe I'm doing something wrong... because in the previous question, the angle between the vectors was 70 degrees. The angle between the vectors was not REALLY 70, instead it was divided into two angles and 70 degrees was one of them. Thus, an exterior angle from 70 which is 110 is given... so this proves the vertex opposite from it would be 70. Use Cosine law, I got the right answer.
However, this is an obtuse angle. There is obviously a different method but maybe I don't know it.
I'm confused
Any ideas within the next hour or two would be appreciated...
Question:
Find the sum of the vectors u and v if theta is the angle between them.
Given:
u=3 (magnitude)
v=10 (magnitude)
theta=115 degrees
Obviously, the angles in a parallelogram equal to 360. This means the other vertexs are 65 degrees. Then I would use the cosine law to solve for the sum of the vectors. (I wish I could draw a diagram but I can't). So...
u+v^2=(10)^2+(3)^2-2(10)(3)Cos 65 degrees
therefore, u+v=9.1 (approx)
However, the back of the book says u+v=11.6
I've found that to get 11.6, instead of putting Cos 65, I'd have to put Cos 115 but that would not follow according to the laws. Another way is instead of finding the sum, I'd actually be finding the DIFFERENCE between the vectors.
Then I thought maybe I'm doing something wrong... because in the previous question, the angle between the vectors was 70 degrees. The angle between the vectors was not REALLY 70, instead it was divided into two angles and 70 degrees was one of them. Thus, an exterior angle from 70 which is 110 is given... so this proves the vertex opposite from it would be 70. Use Cosine law, I got the right answer.
However, this is an obtuse angle. There is obviously a different method but maybe I don't know it.
I'm confused
Any ideas within the next hour or two would be appreciated...