Cosine of Vector: Adjacent/Hypothenuse

[Tiven white]

Homework Statement

The cosine of a vector is equal to the opposite over its magnitude.

Homework Equations

The attempt at a solution[/b] the cosine is the ratio of the adjacent to the hypothenuse this is why i say it "came' is incorrect.

 

[haruspex]

What exactly was the original question?

 

[Tiven white]

What exactly was the original question?

That is the ?,its a true or false

 

[NascentOxygen]

That is the ?,its a true or false

What statement is true or false?

Oh, I see. It's this statement that's being questioned:

The cosine of a vector is equal to the opposite over its magnitude.

Yes, it's an incorrect statement, as you pointed out.

 

[Tiven white]

What statement is true or false?

If the cosine of a vector is its y component over its magnitude?

 

[NascentOxygen]

It's not the vector which has a cosine. It's only angles which have cosines.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Homework Statement

The cosine of a vector is equal to the opposite over its magnitude.

If this really is the statement, I would not say it was either "true" or "false". I would just say it is non-sense! The function "cosine" is not [g]defined[/b] for vectors, only for angles or numbers. Further, saying "the opposite" is non-sense. "Opposite" is an adjective not a noun and cannot take the article "the".

Homework Equations

The attempt at a solution

the cosine is the ratio of the adjacent to the hypothenuse this is why i say it "came' is incorrect.

 

[vela]

Just out of curiosity, what is

this is why i say it "came' is incorrect.

supposed to mean?

 

[NascentOxygen]

Just out of curiosity, what is
[ C A M ]
supposed to mean?

cosine = adjacent ÷ magnitude ?

 

[vela]

Wouldn't that be correct?

 

[NascentOxygen]

Wouldn't that be correct?

Clearly, OP is a little confused.

 

[Tiven white]

cosine

Clearly, OP is a little confused.

The question was asking whether the statement ' cosine means the y component of a vector over its magnitude'.
Is this true or false?

 

[NascentOxygen]

The question was asking whether the statement ' cosine means the y component of a vector over its magnitude'.
Is this true or false?

Definitely false.