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
Direction of a Vector
5:11 minutes
Problem 14
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionFind the magnitude and direction angle for each vector. Round angle measures to the nearest tenth, as necessary. See Example 1.
〈8√2, -8√2〉
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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 represents its length and is calculated using the formula √(x² + y²), where x and y are the vector's components. For the vector 〈8√2, -8√2〉, the magnitude can be found by substituting the values into this formula, providing a measure of how far the vector extends from the origin.
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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 〈8√2, -8√2〉, this involves determining the angle based on the ratio of the y-component to the x-component, 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 instance, the vector 〈8√2, -8√2〉 is in the fourth quadrant, where x is positive and y is negative, affecting the angle's final value.
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