Solving Cartesian Vector Problems: |D|, |E|, D+E, E-D

[mwhowell]

Homework Statement

If D=3i–2j and E=–7i+5j … (a) What is |D|? (b) What is |E|?
(c) What are the vectors D+E and E–D?

!THERE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HATS OVER THE VARIABLES!


I would put up an attempt at the problem if I even knew how to attempt it.

 

[rock.freak667]

|D| just means the magnitude of the vector D, how do you find the magnitude of a vector?

 

[mwhowell]

so does that just mean D= (3,2)?

 

[rock.freak667]

so does that just mean D= (3,2)?

If you draw the vector. Starting at the origin, you'd go 3 units in the x-direction and 2 units in the negative y-direction. Join the ending of this point back to the origin. The length of the diagonal is the magnitude of the vector.