Subtracting/multiply vector clarification on worked problem

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on vector addition and subtraction in physics, specifically addressing the computation of resultant vectors Cvector from given vectors Avector and Bvector. The user correctly calculated the components of Avector and Bvector, leading to the resultant Cvector for the first problem as Cx = 5 and Cy = -17.2, with a magnitude of 17.9 and an angle of -73.8 degrees. For the second problem, the user initially misapplied the multiplication factor to Avector instead of Bvector, but clarified that the correct approach involves treating the resultant vector as an addition equation after determining the components of 4Bvector.

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Hello! I've been studying for physics and come across a problem that I've been working on from the textbook. I would just like some clarification as we have not fully covered this subject yet in the class sessions.

Homework Statement


A vector, Avector, has a magnitude of 15 w/ an angle of 25deg with x-axis, vector B has a length of 25 and makes an angle of 70 deg with x-axis. Compute the magnitudes and directions of the vectors: Cvector = Avector + 4*Bvector and Cvector = Avector - Bvector


Homework Equations


Problem 1: Cx = Ax - Bx and Cy = Ay - By

Problem 2: Bx = KAx and By = KAy


The Attempt at a Solution



For the 1st problem:

Ax = 13.6
Bx= 8.6
Ay = 6.3
By = 23.5
Leads to Cx = 5, Cy = -17.2
Size of Cvector = 17.9 from Pythagorean theorem
Angle of cvector = arctan (Cy/Cx) = -73.8

For the 2nd problem:

Bx = KAx = 4(13.6)= 54.4
By = KAy = 4(6.3) = 25.2

Now question here, since I have the multiplied 4B components, do I just treat the rest of the problem as an addition equation? So:

Cx = Ax + Bx and Cy = Ay + By

Cx = 13.6 + 54.4 = 68
Cy = 6.3 + 25.2 = 31.5


thank you for any help :)
 
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rfig08d said:
Ax = 13.6
Bx= 8.6
Ay = 6.3
By = 23.5
Leads to Cx = 5, Cy = -17.2
Size of Cvector = 17.9 from Pythagorean theorem
Angle of cvector = arctan (Cy/Cx) = -73.8
Looks OK.
For the 2nd problem:

Bx = KAx = 4(13.6)= 54.4
By = KAy = 4(6.3) = 25.2
Why are you using the components of A? If B = (8.6, 23.5), then KB = (K*8.6, K*23.5).

Now question here, since I have the multiplied 4B components, do I just treat the rest of the problem as an addition equation?
Yes you do, but you need to find the correct vector for 4B.
 
Oh wow, can't believe I didn't notice that beforehand.

I overlooked it because I was reading the textbook and saw the formula for multiple vectors of Bx = KAx.

Thanks for the help, greatly appreciate it!:)
 

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