Math Problem Statement

What is the magnitude of the x component of vector A?

What is the magnitude of the y component of vector A?

What is the magnitude of the x component of vector B?

What is the magnitude of the y component of vector B?  

What is the overall magnitude of vector C? 

What angle above the horizontal is vector C directed?

What is the magnitude of the x component of vector A? What is the magnitude of the y component of vector A? What is the magnitude of the x component of vector B? What is the magnitude of the y component of vector B? What is the overall magnitude of vector C? What angle above the horizontal is vector C directed?

Solution

To solve this, let's break down the problem step by step using vector components.

Step 1: Analyze the given vectors:

  • Vector A: 50 km at 60° northeast
  • Vector B: 20 km at 20° northeast

We need to calculate the components of these vectors in the x and y directions using trigonometry.

Step 2: Vector Components

  1. Magnitude of the x component of vector A: The x-component of vector A is given by: Ax=Acos(θA)A_x = |A| \cdot \cos(\theta_A) where A=50km|A| = 50 \, \text{km} and θA=60\theta_A = 60^\circ. Ax=50cos(60)=500.5=25.0kmA_x = 50 \cdot \cos(60^\circ) = 50 \cdot 0.5 = 25.0 \, \text{km}

  2. Magnitude of the y component of vector A: The y-component of vector A is: Ay=Asin(θA)A_y = |A| \cdot \sin(\theta_A) Ay=50sin(60)=500.866=43.3kmA_y = 50 \cdot \sin(60^\circ) = 50 \cdot 0.866 = 43.3 \, \text{km}

  3. Magnitude of the x component of vector B: The x-component of vector B is: Bx=Bcos(θB)B_x = |B| \cdot \cos(\theta_B) where B=20km|B| = 20 \, \text{km} and θB=20\theta_B = 20^\circ. Bx=20cos(20)=200.9397=18.8kmB_x = 20 \cdot \cos(20^\circ) = 20 \cdot 0.9397 = 18.8 \, \text{km}

  4. Magnitude of the y component of vector B: The y-component of vector B is: By=Bsin(θB)B_y = |B| \cdot \sin(\theta_B) By=20sin(20)=200.3420=6.8kmB_y = 20 \cdot \sin(20^\circ) = 20 \cdot 0.3420 = 6.8 \, \text{km}

Step 3: Resultant Vector C

Now, to find the overall magnitude and direction of vector C:

  • The x-component of vector C is: Cx=Ax+Bx=25.0+18.8=43.8kmC_x = A_x + B_x = 25.0 + 18.8 = 43.8 \, \text{km}

  • The y-component of vector C is: Cy=Ay+By=43.3+6.8=50.1kmC_y = A_y + B_y = 43.3 + 6.8 = 50.1 \, \text{km}

  1. Magnitude of vector C: The magnitude of the resultant vector C is: C=Cx2+Cy2|C| = \sqrt{C_x^2 + C_y^2} C=43.82+50.12=1916.64+2510.01=4426.6566.5km|C| = \sqrt{43.8^2 + 50.1^2} = \sqrt{1916.64 + 2510.01} = \sqrt{4426.65} \approx 66.5 \, \text{km}

  2. Direction of vector C: The angle above the horizontal (relative to the x-axis) is: θC=tan1(CyCx)\theta_C = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{C_y}{C_x}\right) θC=tan1(50.143.8)tan1(1.14)=48.6\theta_C = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{50.1}{43.8}\right) \approx \tan^{-1}(1.14) = 48.6^\circ

Final Answers:

  1. x-component of vector A: 25.0km25.0 \, \text{km}
  2. y-component of vector A: 43.3km43.3 \, \text{km}
  3. x-component of vector B: 18.8km18.8 \, \text{km}
  4. y-component of vector B: 6.8km6.8 \, \text{km}
  5. Overall magnitude of vector C: 66.5km66.5 \, \text{km}
  6. Direction of vector C: 48.648.6^\circ above the horizontal

Let me know if you'd like further clarification, details, or if you have any questions!


Follow-up Questions:

  1. How would the resultant change if vector B had a larger magnitude?
  2. What if vector A had an angle of 45° instead of 60°?
  3. How do you compute the components for a vector in 3D space?
  4. Can you explain the significance of vector addition in physics?
  5. How would you subtract two vectors geometrically?

Tip: Breaking vectors into components is one of the most useful tools for solving problems in physics and engineering, especially when dealing with forces or velocities!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Components
Trigonometry
Vector Addition

Formulas

Ax = A * cos(θ)
Ay = A * sin(θ)
Bx = B * cos(θ)
By = B * sin(θ)
Resultant Magnitude = sqrt(Cx^2 + Cy^2)
Angle = tan^(-1)(Cy / Cx)

Theorems

Pythagorean theorem
Trigonometric identities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12