Adding Vectors

VECTORS: magnitude AND direction.

These are the simple steps for adding vectors by components:

1. First, set your positive axes.

2. Break the vectors down into two components: X and Y.

For example the question is A - 3D. (Vector A minus three times vector D)

A chart would help to organize and visualize the X and Y components easier.

3. Solve for the sum of X and the sum of Y.

4. Using the Pythagorean theorem, the two sums can be added to get the resultant.

R = √ A2 + B2
R = √ (65.5)2 + (-14.4)2
R =  67

5. Use trigonometry to solve for the angle.

tanθ = opposite/adjacent

tanθ= 65.5/-14.4

       = -77

Therfore the completed answer is: 67 [ S 77° E]