Math Problem Statement

The vector y has magnitude 4 and direction angle 90°. The vector z has magnitude 2 and direction angle 0°. Find the magnitude and direction angle θ of the sum y + z . Round your answers to the nearest thousandth. | y + z |= θ= °

Solution

To find the magnitude and direction angle of the sum of the vectors y+zy + z, we need to use vector addition in terms of their components.

Given:

  • Vector yy has a magnitude of 4 and a direction angle of 90°.
  • Vector zz has a magnitude of 2 and a direction angle of 0°.

We can break each vector into its horizontal (xx-axis) and vertical (yy-axis) components using trigonometric functions:

  1. For vector yy: yx=4cos(90)=0y_x = 4 \cos(90^\circ) = 0 yy=4sin(90)=4y_y = 4 \sin(90^\circ) = 4 So, the components of yy are (0,4)(0, 4).

  2. For vector zz: zx=2cos(0)=2z_x = 2 \cos(0^\circ) = 2 zy=2sin(0)=0z_y = 2 \sin(0^\circ) = 0 So, the components of zz are (2,0)(2, 0).

Add the components:

xtotal=yx+zx=0+2=2x_{\text{total}} = y_x + z_x = 0 + 2 = 2 ytotal=yy+zy=4+0=4y_{\text{total}} = y_y + z_y = 4 + 0 = 4

Now, the vector sum y+zy + z has components (2,4)(2, 4).

Magnitude of y+zy + z:

The magnitude of the resultant vector is given by: y+z=xtotal2+ytotal2=22+42=4+16=204.472|y + z| = \sqrt{x_{\text{total}}^2 + y_{\text{total}}^2} = \sqrt{2^2 + 4^2} = \sqrt{4 + 16} = \sqrt{20} \approx 4.472

Direction angle θ\theta:

The direction angle θ\theta can be found using the inverse tangent: θ=tan1(ytotalxtotal)=tan1(42)=tan1(2)63.435\theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{y_{\text{total}}}{x_{\text{total}}}\right) = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{4}{2}\right) = \tan^{-1}(2) \approx 63.435^\circ

Final answer:

  • Magnitude of y+zy + z: 4.472\approx 4.472
  • Direction angle θ\theta: 63.435\approx 63.435^\circ

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Related Questions:

  1. How do you convert between polar and Cartesian coordinates?
  2. How would the result change if yy had a different direction angle?
  3. What happens if both vectors had the same direction angle?
  4. How can we apply this concept in 3D vectors?
  5. How does vector subtraction work in component form?

Tip:

Always break vectors into components for easier addition, especially when angles are involved.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Addition
Trigonometry
Polar Coordinates
Pythagorean Theorem

Formulas

Magnitude of the resultant vector: |y + z| = sqrt(x_total^2 + y_total^2)
Direction angle θ: θ = tan^(-1)(y_total / x_total)
Component form of vectors: x = magnitude * cos(angle), y = magnitude * sin(angle)

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem
Trigonometric Identities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12