Math Problem Statement

(24.1, 58.8) where all components are newtons. If a vectors direction is measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis what angle in degrees 0-360 does the negative of that vector make

Solution

The problem asks for the direction of the negative of the given vector, which has components (24.1,58.8)(24.1, 58.8), with the direction measured counterclockwise from the positive xx-axis.

Step 1: Find the direction of the original vector

To find the angle θoriginal\theta_{\text{original}} for the original vector (24.1,58.8)(24.1, 58.8):

tan(θoriginal)=yx=58.824.1\tan(\theta_{\text{original}}) = \frac{y}{x} = \frac{58.8}{24.1} First, let's compute this tangent value:

tan(θoriginal)=58.824.12.44\tan(\theta_{\text{original}}) = \frac{58.8}{24.1} \approx 2.44

Now, take the arctangent of this value to find the angle:

θoriginal=tan1(2.44)\theta_{\text{original}} = \tan^{-1}(2.44)

Let’s calculate that.

θoriginal67.6\theta_{\text{original}} \approx 67.6^\circ

Thus, the direction of the original vector is approximately 67.667.6^\circ counterclockwise from the positive xx-axis.

Step 2: Find the direction of the negative of the vector

The negative of a vector (x,y)(-x, -y) points in the opposite direction of the original vector. To find the angle of the negative vector, we add 180180^\circ to the original angle:

θnegative=θoriginal+180=67.6+180=247.6\theta_{\text{negative}} = \theta_{\text{original}} + 180^\circ = 67.6^\circ + 180^\circ = 247.6^\circ

Thus, the angle of the negative vector is approximately 247.6°.

Final Answer:

The angle of the negative of the vector (24.1,58.8)(24.1, 58.8), measured counterclockwise from the positive xx-axis, is 247.6°.


Do you want more details or have any other questions?

Here are some related questions you might consider:

  1. How would the angle change if one or both components were negative?
  2. How do you calculate the magnitude of this vector?
  3. What would the angle be if the vector components were swapped?
  4. How is the direction of a vector affected if it is multiplied by a scalar?
  5. What if the vector was measured in a different coordinate system?

Tip: Always visualize vectors on the coordinate plane to better understand their direction and magnitude!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Direction
Coordinate Geometry
Trigonometry

Formulas

tan(θ) = y/x
θ = tan^(-1)(y/x)
θ_negative = θ_original + 180°

Theorems

Trigonometric Functions
Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12