Question #97fb1

1 Answer
Aug 19, 2017

49.810hati +4.358hatj

Explanation:

We're asked to find the components of a vector, given its magnitude and direction.

Vectors are a fundamental concept in linear algebra and physics, so it would be useful to remember some relatively simple equations to calculate the components of them.

For magnitude ||vecv|| and direction theta, the components of the vector are given by

  • ul(x = ||vecv||costheta

  • ul(y = ||vecv||sintheta

(You may recognize these for calculating the corresponding rectangular coordinate of a polar one, where we use the equations x = rcostheta abd y = rsintheta.)

Thus, we have

x = 50cos(5^"o") = 49.810

y = 50sin(5^"o") = 4.358

Or, in unit vector component notation,

color(red)(ulbar(|stackrel(" ")(" "49.810hati +4.358hatj" ")|)

hati corresponds to the x-component (horizontal), and hatj corresponds to the y-component (vertical).