Solving vectors using component method

[yety124]

Homework Statement

Add the following vectors using component method:
Vector A=175km; 30 degrees north of east
Vector B=153km; 20 degrees west of north
Vector C=195km; West
a)Find x and y component of each vector
b)Solve for the magnitude of resultant vector
c) Solve for direction(angle)

2. The attempt at a solution
So i these are what i got
Vector A: x=175cos 30...x=151.56 y=175sin 30...y=87.5
Vector B: x=153cos 20...x=-143.77 y=153sin 20...y=52.33
(are these correct?)
so after getting this i added all the x's and y's but then i realized that the question had said that vector C goes 195km west, so i now got confused what to do next.

please help thank you for your time.

 

[NascentOxygen]

There is nothing special about "in a westerly direction". A westerly vector contributes a component D.cos 180^o in the x-direction, and D.sin 0^o in the y-direction.

 

[yety124]

well that was stupid of me, thanks for the reply finally solved it :D

 

[HallsofIvy]

If \theta is measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis then a vector of length r and angle \theta has components rcos(\theta) and r sin(\theta). Strictly speaking, you are free to choose the "positive x-axis" any way you want as long as you are consistent but the usual convention is that the positive x-axis points East.

For the first vector you are given that r= 175km and the directon is 30 degrees north of east. "north of east" is counterclockwise from east so the angle is \theta= 30 degrees.

For the second vector you are given that r= 153km and the direction is 20 degrees west of north. West is clockwise of north but north itself is 90 degrees clockwise of east. The angle is \theta= 90+20= 110 degrees.

For the third vector you are given that r= 195km and the direction is west. West is exactly opposite east so the angle is \theta= 180 degrees.