Help with A+B and 2A+3B: Magnitude & Direction

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around vector addition and the calculation of magnitudes and directions for given vectors A and B, expressed in polar form. The original poster seeks assistance with determining the magnitude and direction of A+B and 2A+3B, as well as 2A-3B.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss finding the x and y components of the vectors to facilitate the calculations. There are mentions of using trigonometric functions to derive these components and calculating magnitudes from them. Some participants express confusion about the process and seek further clarification.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem, with some participants providing guidance on how to approach the calculations. However, there is no explicit consensus on the methods or solutions, as some members are still seeking explanations.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes that they are new to the topic and requests a more detailed explanation, indicating a potential gap in foundational understanding. Additionally, there is a reference to external resources for further exploration of vector concepts.

rsixtyone
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I'm don't know how to do this at all, can anyone help me please?

If [tex]A=[A\angle\theta_{A}][/tex] and [tex]B=[B\angle\theta_{B}][/tex],

1) what is the magnitude of A+B?
2) what is the direction of A+B?
3) what is the magnitude of 2A+3B?
4) what is the direction of 2A-3B?
 
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Start by finding the x and y components of each vector, then operate on those components to find the resultants. You'll need to know that [itex]A_x = A cos\theta_A[/itex] and [itex]A_y = A sin\theta_A[/itex].
 
also keep in mind that once you know the components (x,y,z) of a vector, you can easily calculate the vector's magnitude using the formula sqrt(x²+y²+z²)

just as an addendum to Doc Al's words

regards
marlon
 
This is a new to me, I still couldn't get it. Solve and explain the problem to me Doc? Thank you.
 
Poke around here: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vect.html#vec2

I'll do the first one:
[itex]\vec{R} = \vec{A} + \vec{B}[/itex]
First the x components:
[itex]R_x = A_x + B_x = A cos\theta_A + B cos\theta_B[/itex]
Then the y components:
[itex]R_y = A_y + B_y = A sin\theta_A + B sin\theta_B[/itex]

Thus the magnitude of A + B = [itex]\sqrt{(R_x^2 + R_y^2)}[/itex]
 

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