Reviewing for exam-how would i find the displacement of two vectors?

AI Thread Summary
To find the displacement of two vectors, first determine their x and y components using the formulas rx = rcos(theta) and ry = rsin(theta). If given the lengths of the vectors, the direction can be established if the angles are also provided. For example, a plane traveling 29 meters north and then 50 meters at a 35-degree angle east requires calculating the components of both segments. The resultant displacement can then be found by combining these components. Understanding both magnitude and direction is essential for accurately determining displacement.
pebbles
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what if I'm given the length of two vectors and asked to find displacement? how would i find the direction?

i'm reviewing for an exam and looking over some example problems in a text i have. there are no solutions. would i find the x and y components? rx=rcos(theta) and ry=rsin(theta)?
 
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pebbles said:
what if I'm given the length of two vectors and asked to find displacement? how would i find the direction?
You can't.
i'm reviewing for an exam and looking over some example problems in a text i have. there are no solutions. would i find the x and y components? rx=rcos(theta) and ry=rsin(theta)?
Were you given the angle as well as the length?
 
here's the problem:

a plane goes 29 meters north, and then changes direction to go east at 35 degrees for 50 meters.
 
bumping up my thread...
 

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