Sum of 4 Vectors: Magnitude & Angle

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the sum of four vectors A, B, C, and D in both unit-vector notation and as a magnitude and angle. The vectors are defined as A=(2.00m)i + (3.00m)j, B=4.00m at +65.0 degrees, C=(-4.00m)i - (6.00m)j, and D=5.00m at -235 degrees. Participants emphasize the importance of converting angles into component form using trigonometric functions, specifically B as 4cos(65)i + 4sin(65)j and D as 5cos(-235)i + 5sin(-235)j. The final sum is obtained by adding the x and y components separately, leading to the magnitude calculated via the Pythagorean theorem and the angle using arctan.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector notation and components
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions (sine and cosine)
  • Familiarity with the Pythagorean theorem
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations with vectors
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to convert angles to vector components using trigonometric functions
  • Study the Pythagorean theorem for calculating vector magnitudes
  • Explore the concept of vector addition in two dimensions
  • Investigate the use of arctan for determining angles from vector components
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Students and professionals in physics, engineering, and mathematics who are working with vector calculations and need to understand vector addition and component analysis.

Kp0684
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What is the sum of the following four vectors in (a) unit- vector notation, and as (b) a magnitude and (c) an angle?... A=(2.00m)i + (3.00m)j...B: 4.00m, at +65.0 degrees...C= (-4.00m)i - (6.00m)j...D: 5.00m, at -235 degrees...i understand how to get the magnitude and the angle but how would i set this up... would i start with A and C and find their sum...i believe what's confusing me is B and D...otherwise i know how to set it up...need help...
 
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HINT:Write all 4 vectors in component form.

Then simply add the 4 numbers for the "x" component and the 4 numbers for the "y" component.

Daniel.
 
Kp0684 said:
What is the sum of the following four vectors in (a) unit- vector notation, and as (b) a magnitude and (c) an angle?... A=(2.00m)i + (3.00m)j...B: 4.00m, at +65.0 degrees...C= (-4.00m)i - (6.00m)j...D: 5.00m, at -235 degrees...i understand how to get the magnitude and the angle but how would i set this up... would i start with A and C and find their sum...i believe what's confusing me is B and D...otherwise i know how to set it up...need help...


Here are the formula's you will need to apply.

Given two vectors with components A = (i,j,k) and B = (a,b,c)

magnitude \sqrt{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}
scalar product: A.B = ia + b j + ck
scalar product: A.B = magnitude of A * magnitude of B * cos(t) where t is the angle between the two vectors A and B

sum A+B = (i+a,j+b,k+c) (this is a new vector, the scalar product yields a number)
marlon
 
okay, i get -2.00i - 3.00j - 1.17k when i sum it up...iam still lost on this one...need help again...
 
i, j and k represent the 3 directions of the space, for example high, wide and length. The object will be placed this 3 distances in the space from the point you consider as reference
 
I'm very confused! Where did "k" come from? You original post said
"... A=(2.00m)i + (3.00m)j...B: 4.00m, at +65.0 degrees...C= (-4.00m)i - (6.00m)j...D: 5.00m, at -235 degrees..." with only two dimensions.

I presume that the angles are measured relative to the positive x axis.
B would be 4cos(65)i+ 4sin(65)j and D would be 5cos(-235)i+ 5sin(-235)j

Adding those four vectors does not give you any "k" component.

Of course, once you have found the sum, you find the length by the Pythagorean theorem and the angle is arctan((j component)/(x component)).
 

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