What Are the Magnitudes and Direction Angles of the Vector R=2i + j + 3k?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a vector defined as R=2i + j + 3k, with participants exploring how to determine the magnitudes of its components and the angles it makes with the coordinate axes. The subject area includes vector analysis and trigonometry.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the understanding of vector components and their magnitudes, as well as the concept of direction angles. There are attempts to clarify the definitions and properties of vectors, including the use of the dot product.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants expressing frustration over the lack of initial attempts to solve the problem. Others are trying to guide the original poster towards understanding the basic concepts of vector magnitudes and direction angles.

Contextual Notes

There is an expectation for participants to show their work before receiving assistance, which has led to some tension in the conversation. The original poster has indicated a lack of understanding of basic vector concepts.

gearstrike
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how to solve this question??

A vector is given by R=2i + j + 3k.
find (a) the magnitude of the x,y,z components,
(b) the angels between R and the x,y and z axes..
 
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How much do you know about vectors? These questions are fairly basic.
 


punderq arunburg...m asking u to do dat question...not to comment my question...u little funky...challenge u to answer my question ...
 


Please read the forum rules. You are expected to show your work before anyone can help. And no, your questions are not "challenging" at all.
 


gearstrike, we only help after you've shown us some attempt at trying to solve it yourself.

In your class or textbook, haven't they discussed the components of a vector? And something (anything) about angles & vectors?
 


gearstrike said:
punderq arunburg...m asking u to do dat question...not to comment my question...u little funky...challenge u to answer my question ...
lmao! Funny talking little funky :p
 


im sory guys,
im really don't know about this question..
basically,im bad in basic..can you guys help me.?
 


Well, to start off, what do you understand by the "magnitude of the x,y,z components"? And for the second, what have you learned about the dot product that you can apply here?
 


ermm,
what i know abaout magnitude x,y and z is equal to = i + j + k.
 
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gearstrike said:
ermm,
what i know abaout magnitude x,y and z is equal to = i + j + k.
That makes no sense at all! The magnitude of a vector is its length- a number, not a vector. The magnitude of the vector [itex]x\vec{i}+ y\vec{j}+ z\vec{k}[/itex] is [itex]\sqrt{x^2+ y^2+ z^2}[/itex].

To find the "direction angles", the angles a vector makes with the x, y, and z axes, you find a unit vector in that direction. The components of a unit vector are the "direction cosines": a unit vector is always of the form [itex]cos(\theta)\vec{i}+ cos(\phi)\vec{j}+ cos(\psi)\vec{k}[/itex] where [itex]\theta[/itex], [itex]\phi[/itex], and [itex]\psi[/itex] are the angles the vector makes with the x, y, and z axes respectively.
 

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