Average Velocity Vector Diagram

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ThomasMagnus
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Homework Statement



Untitled-1.png



Homework Equations






The Attempt at a Solution


I thought it was "D". The correct answer is "A". Can you help me figure out why?
 
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What was your thought process that led you to believe it was D?
 
This is the diagram I used.

Untitled-2.png
 
ThomasMagnus said:
This is the diagram I used.

Untitled-2.png

Ah, I see. You changed the direction on the wrong vector. When subtracting vectors, you want to change the sign of the 2nd vector (the one being subtracted), not the resultant vector. Right now, assuming the velocity components are [tex]\vec{v_1}, \vec{v_2}[/tex], the final vector you drew was:

[tex]-(\vec{v_2} + \vec{v_1})[/tex]

when you want:

[tex]\vec{v_2}-\vec{v_1}[/tex]

I hope that helps!

(edit) messed up the subscripts, it should be correct now.