Resultant of 1 cm and 4 cm Vectors: Max & Min

[MoreZitiPlease]

What is the maximum resultant of a 1 centimeter vector and a 4 centimeter vector? What is the minimum?

This questions is like foreign to me. I am rather keen with vectors; however, I have never seen a question like this.

Help. please.

 

[cristo]

Ok, so first you should ask yourself "what is the resultant of two vectors."

 

[MoreZitiPlease]

i believe it is 4

 

[MoreZitiPlease]

dont i use a2+b2=c2

 

[James R]

When you add the two vectors head to tail, what's the longest vector you can end up with? What is the shortest one?

 

[MoreZitiPlease]

5 and 4?

 

[amolv06]

5 is correct, 4 is not. Try $$\vec{V_{1}} + \vec{V_{2}}$$ where $$\hat{V_{1}} = - \hat{V_{2}}$$.

 

[MoreZitiPlease]

what?

 

[amolv06]

The vectors can have an opposite direction.

 

[rock.freak667]

Ok...how did you get 5 and what was your reasoning behind it?

 

[MoreZitiPlease]

4+1=5

 

[rock.freak667]

if that would give you the largest resultant...what do you think would give you the least?

 

[MoreZitiPlease]

-3?

 

[Joshrk22]

<4,0> + <1,0> produces <5,0>

<1,0> + (-4,0> produces <-3,0>