Math Problem Statement

find the magnitude of R and the directional angle θ

A pilot flies two straight-line segments. The displacement vector A for the first segment has a magnitude of 220 km with a direction 30° north of east. The displacement vector B for the second segment has a magnitude of 172 km in a direction west of north. The resultant displacement vector R = A + B, and we need to find its magnitude and direction angle. Use the component method to find the magnitude and directional angle.

Solution

To solve the problem, we need to find the magnitude of the resultant displacement vector R=A+B\mathbf{R} = \mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B}, as well as the directional angle θ\theta of R\mathbf{R}.

Step 1: Decompose Vectors into Components

  1. Vector A\mathbf{A}:

    • Magnitude A=220kmA = 220 \, \text{km}
    • Direction θA=30\theta_A = 30^\circ north of east

    The components of A\mathbf{A} are: Ax=AcosθA=220cos30A_x = A \cos \theta_A = 220 \cos 30^\circ Ay=AsinθA=220sin30A_y = A \sin \theta_A = 220 \sin 30^\circ

  2. Vector B\mathbf{B}:

    • Magnitude B=172kmB = 172 \, \text{km}
    • Direction θB=52\theta_B = 52^\circ west of north

    Convert this direction to standard form: 90+52=14290^\circ + 52^\circ = 142^\circ from the positive x-axis.

    The components of B\mathbf{B} are: Bx=BcosθB=172cos142B_x = B \cos \theta_B = 172 \cos 142^\circ By=BsinθB=172sin142B_y = B \sin \theta_B = 172 \sin 142^\circ

Step 2: Sum the Components

Add the corresponding components to find RxR_x and RyR_y: Rx=Ax+BxR_x = A_x + B_x Ry=Ay+ByR_y = A_y + B_y

Step 3: Find the Magnitude of R\mathbf{R}

The magnitude of R\mathbf{R} is given by: R=Rx2+Ry2R = \sqrt{R_x^2 + R_y^2}

Step 4: Find the Directional Angle θ\theta

The angle θ\theta (relative to the positive x-axis) is found using: θ=tan1(RyRx)\theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{R_y}{R_x}\right)

Let's compute the components and the final answers:

  1. Vector A\mathbf{A} Components: Ax=220cos30=220×32190.5kmA_x = 220 \cos 30^\circ = 220 \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \approx 190.5 \, \text{km} Ay=220sin30=220×12=110kmA_y = 220 \sin 30^\circ = 220 \times \frac{1}{2} = 110 \, \text{km}

  2. Vector B\mathbf{B} Components: Bx=172cos142172×(0.7880)135.5kmB_x = 172 \cos 142^\circ \approx 172 \times (-0.7880) \approx -135.5 \, \text{km} By=172sin142172×0.6157105.8kmB_y = 172 \sin 142^\circ \approx 172 \times 0.6157 \approx 105.8 \, \text{km}

  3. Sum the Components: Rx=190.5+(135.5)55kmR_x = 190.5 + (-135.5) \approx 55 \, \text{km} Ry=110+105.8215.8kmR_y = 110 + 105.8 \approx 215.8 \, \text{km}

  4. Magnitude of R\mathbf{R}: R=552+215.823025+46591.6449616.64222.8kmR = \sqrt{55^2 + 215.8^2} \approx \sqrt{3025 + 46591.64} \approx \sqrt{49616.64} \approx 222.8 \, \text{km}

  5. Directional Angle θ\theta: θ=tan1(215.855)tan1(3.924)75.4 north of east\theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{215.8}{55}\right) \approx \tan^{-1}(3.924) \approx 75.4^\circ \text{ north of east}

Final Answers:

  • The magnitude of R\mathbf{R} is approximately 222.8 km.
  • The directional angle θ\theta is approximately 75.4° north of east.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions:

  1. How would the calculation change if A\mathbf{A} was directed south of east?
  2. What if B\mathbf{B} had a magnitude of 200 km instead?
  3. Can the resultant angle ever be greater than 9090^\circ?
  4. How does the angle change if both vectors were of equal magnitude?
  5. What is the significance of the angle measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis?

Tip: Always convert directional angles into standard form before decomposing vectors.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Decomposition
Trigonometry
Component Method
Resultant Vector

Formulas

Vector Components: A_x = A * cos(θ), A_y = A * sin(θ)
Resultant Magnitude: R = sqrt(R_x^2 + R_y^2)
Directional Angle: θ = tan^(-1)(R_y / R_x)

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem
Inverse Tangent Function

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12