Finding Velocity given x and y velocities

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SUMMARY

To find the velocity of an object given its x and y components, the Pythagorean Theorem is the correct method for calculating the magnitude of the velocity vector. Specifically, the formula used is v = √(vx² + vy²), where vx and vy are the x and y components, respectively. Additionally, trigonometric functions can be employed to determine the angle of the velocity vector relative to the axes. While some may suggest simply adding the components, this approach does not yield the correct magnitude of the resultant velocity.

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MrMiguel
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1. How do you find the velocity of an object if you are given the x and y components of the velocity?



2. Not sure!



3. It makes the most sense to use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the magnitude then trig to find the angle, but I've got a classmate telling me you simply add together the x and y components. Which is it?
 
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you are right to use the pythagorean theroem. That gives you the velocity.
 
You and your classmate are both (kind of) right. How do you add vector components?
 

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