Finding Magnitude & Angle of Vector A (4.0m, -3.0m)

[dakar76]

Problem: The vector A = (4.0meters)i + (-3.0meters)j
Find a) its magnitude and b) its angle in relation to i.

Question: I know magnitude is a scalar but don't know what I am really trying to find in this problem. Am I looking for the direct point from the start of i to the end of j? Do I just need to use the pythagoream therom to find the magnitude.
To find its angle do I just need to use tangent?

 

[berkeman]

Problem: The vector A = (4.0meters)i + (-3.0meters)j
Find a) its magnitude and b) its angle in relation to i.

Question: I know magnitude is a scalar but don't know what I am really trying to find in this problem. Am I looking for the direct point from the start of i to the end of j? Do I just need to use the pythagoream therom to find the magnitude.
To find its angle do I just need to use tangent?

Welcome to the PF. Yes on Pythagoream theorem for magnitude. What trig function can you use to find the angle?

If you still have problems, just go to wikipedia and look for info on converting vectors between rectangular and polar forms.

 

[kerimek]

In this problem, you are looking for the magnitude and angle of the vector A, which represents the displacement from its initial point to its final point. The magnitude of a vector is its length, which can be found using the Pythagorean theorem. In this case, the magnitude of vector A can be calculated as √(4.0m)^2 + (-3.0m)^2 = 5.0m.

To find the angle of vector A in relation to the i-axis, you can use the inverse tangent function. The angle can be calculated as arctan(-3.0m/4.0m) = -37°. This means that vector A is pointing towards the southwest direction, with an angle of 37° from the i-axis.

It is important to note that in vector notation, the direction of the vector is indicated by the sign of its components. In this case, the negative sign on the y-component (-3.0m) indicates that vector A is pointing in the negative y-direction, which is towards the south.

I hope this helps clarify what you are trying to find in this problem. If you have any further questions, please let me know.