Finding the Direction of a Resultant Vector in Rectangular Coordinates

[raiderUM]

Homework Statement

you have a vector in the positive "x" direction with a magnitude of 450' and a vector in the positive "y" direction with a magnitude of 250' determin the magnitude and direction of the resultant

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I solved it = a^2+b^2=c^2

450^2+250^2=514.78^2 ?? How do I know which direction though?

 

[chrisbaird]

The standard way to express directionality in such a case would be to find the angle the resultant vector makes with the x-axis. Draw a diagram and you will see you can find the angle using basic trigonometry: tan(θ) = y/x. The problem is essentially asking you to covert rectangular coordinates to polar coordinates.