How Do You Calculate the Velocity of a Canoe Relative to a River?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the velocity of a canoe relative to a river using vector components. The canoe's velocity is 0.520 m/s southeast, while the river's velocity is 0.460 m/s east. The user correctly identifies the components of the river's velocity as <0.460, 0> m/s and approximates the canoe's components as <0.707, 0.707> m/s due to the 45-degree angle. The resultant velocity of the canoe relative to the river is calculated as <0.247, 0.707> m/s.

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Homework Statement



I have to find the magnitude of the velocity of vector Vcanoe/river of a canoe relative to the river.

The canoe has a velocity of 0.520 m/s southeast relative to the earth. The canoe is on the river that is flowing at 0.460 m/s east relative to the earth.

The angle made my both vectors is 45 degrees.


2. The attempt at a solution

I figured the components of the vector Vriver are <0.460,0> m/s
Components of the vector Vcanoe are approximately <0.707,0.707> m/s since we are working with a 45 degree angle.
Are my components correct?

I need subtract both vectors to get the Vcanoe/river.
I got <0.247,0.707> m/s. Yes?

I'm not sure if my components are correct and I'm not sure what to do afterwards.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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