How Do You Calculate Vector Sums and Differences Graphically?

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Vector A is 3.00 units along the positive x-axis, and Vector B is 4.00 units along the negative y-axis. To calculate A + B graphically, one can use the parallelogram method, resulting in a vector that extends from the origin to the point (3, -4), with a magnitude of 5 and an angle of approximately -53 degrees relative to the x-axis. For A - B, the process involves translating Vector B to the origin and drawing the resultant vector from the origin to (3, 4), maintaining the same magnitude of 5 but with a positive angle. Understanding these graphical methods helps clarify vector addition and subtraction in physics.
  • #61
But you know its horizontal and vertical coordinates, right?
How can you calculate the tangent of the angle using that info?
 
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  • #62
the figure isn't a right triangle though
 
  • #63
You are to find the resultant vectur's angle to the x-axis; how can you construct a triangle in such a manner that the coordinates you've been given will help you find that angle?
 
  • #64
OOO I got it :D

extend the Line downward so the verticles of the triangle are

tan^-^1 = 4.5/2.6

(0,0) --> (2.6,0) --> (2.6,4.5)
 
  • #65
You should get 60 degrees..
 
  • #66
Yep I got 60 degrees 59.9 i think. Thanks for your help :D

nice i think i got section 3.2 and 3.3 of my textbook down ahah... tommo I will probably ask about projectile motion, hopefully you'll help me again. The textbook leaves out a lot of information. Like it leaves out little steps.
 
  • #67
No problem..
 
  • #68
its an emergency...i really need to know this...

can two vectors representing two different physical quantities be equal?

can force and displacement be equal vectors if they are in same direction and have same magnitude?? doesn't representing different phy. quantities makes them different vectors?
 
  • #69
I hate vectors! I'm in physics A and I don't get it, even though I understand all of the force, energy, and projectile motion stuff.
 

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