What is the Equation for Finding Vector Magnitude in 2D and 3D?

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To find the magnitude of a vector in 2D or 3D, the formula involves the components Vx and Vy, with the assumption that Vz is zero if not provided. The equation for magnitude is derived from the Pythagorean theorem, where magnitude = √(Vx² + Vy²) for 2D, and √(Vx² + Vy² + Vz²) for 3D. In this case, since Vz is assumed to be zero, the calculations yield the same result regardless of whether the context is 2D or 3D. The discussion emphasizes that knowing the dimension is important, but the absence of a Vz value simplifies the situation. Thus, the magnitude can be calculated effectively using the given components.
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Homework Statement



Vx = 18 m/s and Vy = 45 m/s

Homework Equations



This is what I am not understanding, could anyone help with the equation process to finding the magnitude?

Thank you!
 
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Do we know if the movement takes place in 2 or in 3 dimensions?
 
cwasdqwe said:
Do we know if the movement takes place in 2 or in 3 dimensions?

It does not matter.

To the OP: what is the formula for the magnitude of a vector if we know all its components? You must have seen this somewhere...
 
nrqed said:
...what is the formula for the magnitude of a vector if we know all its components? You must have seen this somewhere...

To define all its components you must know the dimension... but okay, let's assume v_{z}=0...
 
cwasdqwe said:
To define all its components you must know the dimension... but okay, let's assume v_{z}=0...

Yes, I assume that v_z =0 since no value is provided. It would be strange if ## v_z ## was not zero and they would not give us the value. My point is that then we get the same answer whether we use the magnitude equation in 2D or in 3D.
 
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