Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
8. Vectors
Geometric Vectors
Problem 7.13a
Textbook Question
Find the magnitude and direction angle for each vector. Round angle measures to the nearest tenth, as necessary.
〈-4, 4√3〉
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1
Identify the components of the vector: \( \langle -4, 4\sqrt{3} \rangle \). The horizontal component is \(-4\) and the vertical component is \(4\sqrt{3}\).
Calculate the magnitude of the vector using the formula \( \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \), where \(x\) and \(y\) are the components of the vector.
Substitute the components into the magnitude formula: \( \sqrt{(-4)^2 + (4\sqrt{3})^2} \).
Determine the direction angle \(\theta\) using the formula \( \theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{y}{x}\right) \).
Substitute the components into the direction angle formula: \( \theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{4\sqrt{3}}{-4}\right) \), and adjust the angle to the correct quadrant since the vector is in the second quadrant.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Magnitude of a Vector
The magnitude of a vector is a measure of its length and is calculated using the formula √(x² + y²), where x and y are the components of the vector. For the vector 〈-4, 4√3〉, the magnitude can be found by substituting the values into this formula, providing a numerical representation of the vector's size.
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Direction Angle of a Vector
The direction angle of a vector is the angle it makes with the positive x-axis, typically measured in degrees. It can be calculated using the arctangent function: θ = arctan(y/x). For the vector 〈-4, 4√3〉, this involves determining the angle based on the components, taking into account the quadrant in which the vector lies.
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Quadrants in the Coordinate Plane
The coordinate plane is divided into four quadrants, each defined by the signs of the x and y coordinates. Understanding which quadrant a vector lies in is crucial for determining the correct direction angle. For example, the vector 〈-4, 4√3〉 is in the second quadrant, where x is negative and y is positive, affecting the angle calculation.
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