Calculating Relative Velocity of a Canoe on a River

[Edwardo_Elric]

Homework Statement

A canoe has a velocity of 0.30m/s northwest relative to the earth. The canoe is on a river that is flowing 0.50m/s west relative to the earth. Find the velocity (magnitude and direction ) of the canoe relative to the river.

Homework Equations

E = earth
R = river
C = canoe
V_{C/E} = V_{C/R} + V_{R/E}
V_{C/E} - V_{R/E} = V_{C/R}

The Attempt at a Solution

the answer at the back of the book is .36m/s 53.6 degrees east of north

to get to the book's answer, i used the pythagorean theorem
\sqrt{{V_{C/E}}^2 - {V_{R/E}}^2} = V_{C/R}
and i confusingly substituted
\sqrt{((0.30)cos(45) - .50)^2 - ((.30) sin 45))^2} = V_{C/R}
then get .36
and i don't know how the V_{C/E}'s x components got involved ...

 

[Edwardo_Elric]

ohhh
ok i got it already:
since : V_{C/E} - V_{R/E} = V_{C/R}
x component: -(.21)- (-.50)
y component: .21 - 0
(.29)^2 + (.21)^2 = V_resultant^2
0.36

\theta = arctan\frac{.21}{.29}
\theta = 35.9degres north of east
or 90 - 35.9 = 54.1 e of n

 

[berkeman]

I like these kind of threads!