VECTOR ALGEBRA

Vectors and Scalars

Finding the Resultant by Graphical
and Analytical Method
Unit vector
Surveyors use accurate measures of
magnitudes and directions to create
scaled maps of large regions.
Vectors
Objectives: After the discussion
of this topic, student should be
able to:
Demonstrate that you meet mathematics
expectations: unit analysis, algebra, scientific
notation, and right-triangle trigonometry.
Define and give examples of scalar and vector
quantities.
Determine the components of a given vector.
Find the resultant of two or more
vectors.(Addition or Subtraction)
Expectations
You must be able convert units of
measure for physical quantities.
Convert 40 m/s into kilometers per hour.
40--- x ---------- x -------- = 144 km/h
m
s
1 km
1000 m
3600 s
1 h
Expectations (Continued):
College algebra and simple formula
manipulation are assumed.
Example:
0
2
f
v v
x t
+
| |
=
|
\ .
Solve for v
o

Expectations (Continued)
You must be able to work in scientific
notation.
Evaluate the following:
(6.67 x 10
-11
)(4 x 10
-3
)(2)
(8.77 x 10
-3
)
2

F = -------- = ------------
Gmm
r
2

F = 6.94 x 10
-9
N = 6.94 nN
Expectations (Continued)
You must be familiar with SI prefixes
The meter (m) 1 m = 1 x 10
0
m
1 Gm = 1 x 10
9
m 1 nm = 1 x 10
-9
m
1 Mm = 1 x 10
6
m 1 m = 1 x 10
-6
m
1 km = 1 x 10
3
m 1 mm = 1 x 10
-3
m
Expectations (Continued)
You must have mastered right-triangle
trigonometry.
y
x
R
u
y = R sin u
x = R cos u
sin
y
R
u =
cos
x
R
u =
tan
y
x
u = R
2
= x
2
+ y
2

Distance: A Scalar Quantity
A scalar quantity:
Contains magnitude
only and consists of a
number and a unit.
(20 m, 40 mi/h, 10 gal)
A
B
Distance is the length of the actual path
taken by an object.
s = 20 m
DisplacementA Vector Quantity
A vector quantity:
Contains magnitude
AND direction, a
number, unit & angle.
(12 m, 30
0
; 8 km/h, N)
A
B
D = 12 m, 20
o

Displacement is the straight-line
separation of two points in a specified
direction.
u
Distance and Displacement
Net displacement:
4 m,E
6 m,W
D
What is the distance
traveled?
10 m !!
D = 2 m, W
Displacement is the x or y coordinate of
position. Consider a car that travels 4
m, E then 6 m, W.
x = +4 x = -2
Identifying Direction
A common way of identifying direction
is by reference to East, North, West,
and South. (Locate points below.)
40 m, 50
o
N of E
E W
S
N
40 m, 60
o
N of W
40 m, 60
o
W of S
40 m, 60
o
S of E
Length = 40 m
50
o
60
o

60
o

60
o

Identifying Direction
Write the angles shown below by using
references to east, south, west, north.
E W
S
N
45
o

E W
N
50
o

S
50
0
S of E 45
0
W of N
Vectors and Polar Coordinates
Polar coordinates (R,u) are an excellent
way to express vectors. Consider the
vector 40 m, 50
0
N of E, for example.
0
o

180
o

270
o

90
o

u
0
o

180
o

270
o

90
o

R
R is the magnitude and u is the direction.
40 m
50
o

Vectors and Polar Coordinates
(R,u) = 40 m, 50
o
(R,u) = 40 m, 120
o

(R,u) = 40 m, 210
o

(R,u) = 40 m, 300
o

50
o
60
o

60
o

60
o

0
o
180
o

270
o

90
o

Polar coordinates (R,u) are given for each
of four possible quadrants:
Rectangular Coordinates
Right, up = (+,+)
Left, down = (-,-)
(x,y) = (?, ?)
x
y
(+3, +2)
(-2, +3)
(+4, -3) (-1, -3)
Reference is made to
x and y axes, with +
and - numbers to
indicate position in
space.
+
+
-
-
Trigonometry Review
Application of Trigonometry to Vectors
y
x
R
u
y = R sin u
x = R cos u
sin
y
R
u =
cos
x
R
u =
tan
y
x
u = R
2
= x
2
+ y
2

Trigonometry
Example 1: Find the height of a building
if it casts a shadow 90 m long and the
indicated angle is 30
o
.
90 m
30
0

The height h is opposite 30
0
and
the known adjacent side is 90 m.
h
h = (90 m) tan 30
o

h = 57.7 m
0
tan30
90 m
opp h
adj
= =
Finding Components of Vectors
A component is the effect of a vector along
other directions. The x and y components of
the vector (R,u) are illustrated below.
x
y
R
u
x = R cos u
y = R sin u
Finding components:
Polar to Rectangular Conversions
Example 2: A person walks 400 m in a
direction of 30
o
N of E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
x
y
R
u
x = ?
y = ?
400 m
30
o

E
N
The y-component (N) is OPP:
The x-component (E) is ADJ: x = R cos u
y = R sin u
E
N
Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk in a
direction of 30
o
N of E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
x = R cos u
x = (400 m) cos 30
o

= +346 m, E
x = ?
y = ?
400 m
30
o

E
N
Note: x is the side
adjacent to angle 30
0

ADJ = HYP x Cos 30
0

The x-component is:
R
x
= +346 m
Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk in a
direction of 30
o
N of E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
y = R sin u
y = (400 m) sin 30
o
= + 200 m, N
x = ?
y = ?
400 m
30
o

E
N
OPP = HYP x Sin 30
0

The y-component is:
R
y
= +200 m
Note: y is the side
opposite to angle 30
0

Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk in a
direction of 30
o
N of E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
R
x
=
+346 m
R
y
=
+200 m
400 m
30
o

E
N
The x- and y-
components are
each + in the
first quadrant
Solution: The person is displaced 346 m east
and 200 m north of the original position.
Signs for Rectangular Coordinates
First Quadrant:
R is positive (+)
0
o
> u < 90
o

x = +; y = +
x = R cos u
y = R sin u
+
+
0
o

90
o

R
u
Signs for Rectangular Coordinates
Second Quadrant:
R is positive (+)
90
o
> u < 180
o

x = - ; y = +
x = R cos u
y = R sin u
+
R
u
180
o

90
o

Signs for Rectangular Coordinates
Third Quadrant:
R is positive (+)
180
o
> u < 270
o

x = - y = -
x = R cos u
y = R sin u
-
R
u
180
o

270
o

Signs for Rectangular Coordinates
Fourth Quadrant:
R is positive (+)
270
o
> u < 360
o

x = + y = -
x = R cos u
y = R sin u
360
o
+
R
u
270
o

Resultant of Perpendicular Vectors
Finding resultant of two perpendicular vectors is
like changing from rectangular to polar coord.
R is always positive; u is from + x axis
2 2
R x y = +
tan
y
x
u =
x
y
R
u
Example 3: A 30-lb southward force
and a 40-lb eastward force act on a
donkey at the same time. What is the
NET or resultant force on the donkey?
30 lb
40 lb
Draw a rough sketch. Choose rough scale:
Ex: 1 cm = 10 lb
4 cm = 40 lb
3 cm = 30 lb
40 lb
30 lb
Note: Force has direction just like length
does. We can treat force vectors just as we
have length vectors to find the resultant
force. The procedure is the same!
Finding Resultant: (Cont.)
40 lb
30 lb
40 lb
30 lb
Finding (R,u) from given (x,y) = (+40, -30)
R
|
u
R
y

R
x

R = x
2
+ y
2

R = (40)
2
+ (30)
2
= 50 lb
tan | =
-30
40
| = -36.9
o

u = 323.1
o
Unit vector notation (i,j,k)
x
z
y
Consider 3D axes (x, y, z)
Define unit vectors, i, j, k
i
j
k Examples of Use:
40 m, E = 40 i 40 m, W = -40 i
30 m, N = 30 j 30 m, S = -30 j
20 m, out = 20 k 20 m, in = -20 k
Example 4: A woman walks 30 m, W;
then 40 m, N. Write her displacement
in i,j notation and in R,u notation.
-30 m
+40 m
R
|
R = R
x
i + R
y
j
R = -30 i + 40 j
R
x
= - 30 m R
y
= + 40 m
In i,j notation, we have:
Displacement is 30 m west and 40 m
north of the starting position.
Example 4 (Cont.): Next we find her
displacement in R,u notation.
-30 m
+40
m
R
|
u = 126.9
o

(R,u) = (50 m, 126.9
o
)
0
40
tan ; = 59.1
30
| |
+
=

2 2
( 30) (40) R = +
R = 50 m
u = 180
0
53.1
0

53.1
Example 5: Town A is 35 km south and 46 km
west of Town B. Find length and direction of
highway between towns.
B 2 2
(46 km) (35 km) R = +
R = 57.8 km
46 km
tan
35 km
|

| = 52.7
0
S. of W.
46 km
35
km
R = ?
|=?
A
R = -46 i 35 j
u = 232.7
0

u = 180
0
+ 52.7
0

Example 6. Find the components of the 240-N
force exerted by the boy on the girl if his arm
makes an angle of 28
0
with the ground.
28
0

F = 240 N
F
F
y

F
x

F
y
F
x
= -|(240 N) cos 28
0
|

= -212 N
F
y
= +|(240 N) sin 28
0
|

= +113 N
Or in i,j notation:
F = -(212 N)i

+ (113 N)j
Component Method
1. Start at origin. Draw each vector
approximately with tip of 1st to tail of 2nd,
tip of 2nd to tail 3rd, and so on for others.
2. Draw resultant from origin to tip of last
vector, noting the quadrant of the resultant.
3. Write each vector in i,j notation.
4. Add vectors algebraically to get resultant in
i,j notation. Then convert to (R,u).
Example 7. A boat moves 2.0 km east then
4.0 km north, then 3.0 km west, and finally
2.0 km south. Find resultant displacement.
E
N
1. Start at origin.
Draw each vector
with tip of 1st to tail
of 2nd, tip of 2nd to
tail 3rd, and so on for
others.
2. Draw resultant from origin to tip of last
vector, noting the quadrant of the resultant.
Note: The magnitude is approximated, but it is
still clear that the resultant is in the fourth
quadrant.
2 km, E
A
4 km, N
B
3 km, W
C
2 km, S
D
Example 7 (Cont.) Find resultant displacement.
3. Write each vector
in i,j notation:
A = +2 i
B = + 4 j
C = -3 i
D = - 2 j
4. Add vectors A,B,C,D
algebraically to get
resultant in i,j notation.
R =
-1 i + 2 j
1 km, west and 2
km north of origin.
E
N
2 km, E
A
4 km, N
B
3 km, W
C
2 km, S
D
5. Convert to R,u notation
See next page.
Example 7 (Cont.) Find resultant displacement.
E
N
2 km, E
A
4 km, N
B
3 km, W
C
2 km, S
D
Resultant Sum is:
R = -1 i + 2 j
R
y
= +2
km
R
x
= -1 km
R
|
Now, We Find R, u
2 2
( 1) (2) 5 R = + =
R = 2.24 km
2 km
tan
1 km
|
+
=

| = 63.4
0
N or W
Reminder of Significant Units:
E
N
2 km
A
4 km
B
3 km
C
2 km
D
For convenience, we
follow the practice of
assuming two (2)
decimal places for
the final answer.
In the previous example, we assume that the
distances are 2.00 km, 4.00 km, and 3.00 km.
Thus, the answer must be reported as:
R = 2.24 km, 63.4
0
N of W
Example 8: Find R,u for the three vector
displacements below:
A = 5 m B = 2.1 m
20
0

B
C =
0.5 m
R
u
A = 5 m, 0
0

B = 2.1 m, 20
0

C = 0.5 m, 90
0

Example 8: Find R,u for the three vector
displacements below: (A table may help.)
Vector | X-component (i) Y-component (j)
A=5 m 0
0
+ 5 m 0
B=2.1m 20
0
+(2.1 m) cos 20
0
+(2.1 m) sin 20
0
C=.5 m 90
0
0 + 0.5 m
R
x
= A
x
+B
x
+C
x
R
y
= A
y
+B
y
+C
y
A = 5 m B = 2.1 m
20
0

B
C =
0.5 m
R
u
For i,j notation
find x,y compo-
nents of each
vector A, B, C.
Example 8 (Cont.): Find i,j for three vectors:
A = 5 m,0
0
; B = 2.1 m, 20
0
; C = 0.5 m, 90
0
.
X-component (i) Y-component (j)
A
x
= + 5.00 m A
y
= 0

B
x
= +1.97 m B
y
= +0.718 m

C
x
= 0 C
y
= + 0.50 m
A = 5.00 i + 0 j
B = 1.97 i + 0.718 j
C = 0 i + 0.50 j
4. Add vectors to
get resultant R
in i,j notation.
R = 6.97 i + 1.22 j
Example 8 (Cont.): Find i,j for three vectors: A
= 5 m,0
0
; B = 2.1 m, 20
0
; C = 0.5 m, 90
0
.
2 2
(6.97 m) (1.22 m) R = +
R = 7.08 m
1.22 m
tan
6.97 m
| =
u = 9.93
0
N. of E.
R = 6.97 i + 1.22 j
5. Determine R,u from x,y:
R
x
= 6.97 m
R
u
R
y

1.22 m
Diagram for
finding R,u:
Example 9: A bike travels 20 m, E then 40 m
at 60
o
N of W, and finally 30 m at 210
o
. What
is the resultant displacement graphically?
60
o

30
o

R
|
u
Graphically, we use
ruler and protractor
to draw components,
then measure the
Resultant R,u
A = 20 m, E
B =
40 m
C = 30 m
R = (32.6 m, 143.0
o
)
Let 1 cm = 10 m
A Graphical Understanding of the Components
and of the Resultant is given below:
60
o

30
o

R
|
u
Note: R
x
= A
x
+ B
x
+ C
x

A
x
B

B
x
R
x
A

C

C
x
R
y
= A
y
+ B
y
+ C
y
0
R
y
B
y

C
y

Example 9 (Cont.) Using the Component
Method to solve for the Resultant.
60
30
o

R
|
u
A
x
B

B
x
R
x
A

C

C
x
R
y
B
y

C
y

Write each vector
in i,j notation.
A
x
= 20 m, A
y
= 0
B
x
= -40 cos 60
o
= -20 m
B
y
= 40 sin 60
o
= +34.6 m
C
x
= -30 cos 30
o
= -26 m
C
y
= -30 sin 60
o
= -15 m
B = -20 i + 34.6 j
C = -26 i - 15 j
A = 20 i
Example 9 (Cont.) The Component Method
60
30
o

R
|
u
A
x
B

B
x
R
x
A

C

C
x
R
y
B
y

C
y

Add algebraically:
A = 20 i
B = -20 i + 34.6 j
C = -26 i - 15 j
R = -26 i + 19.6 j
R
-26
+19.6
|
R = (-26)
2
+ (19.6)
2
= 32.6 m
tan | =
19.6
-26
u = 143
o

Example 9 (Cont.) Find the Resultant.
60
30
o

R
|
u
A
x
B

B
x
R
x
A

C

C
x
R
y
B
y

C
y

R = -26 i + 19.6 j
R
-26
+19.6
|
The Resultant Displacement of the bike is best
given by its polar coordinates R and u.
R = 32.6 m; u = 143
0

Example 10. Find R= A + B + C for Vectors
Shown below.
A = 5 m, 90
0

B = 12 m, 0
0

C = 20 m, -35
0

A
B
R
u
A
x
= 0; A
y
= +5 m
B
x
= +12 m; B
y
= 0
C
x
= (20 m) cos 35
0

C
y
= -(20 m) sin -35
0

A = 0 i + 5.00 j
B = 12 i + 0 j
C = 16.4 i 11.5 j
R = 28.4 i - 6.47 j
C
35
0

C
x

C
y

Example 10 (Continued). Find A + B + C
A
B
C
35
0

R
u
R
u
R
x
= 28.4 m
R
y
= -6.47 m
2 2
(28.4 m) (6.47 m) R = +
R = 29.1 m
6.47 m
tan
28.4 m
| =
u = 12.8
0
S. of E.
Vector Difference
For vectors, signs are indicators of direction.
Thus, when a vector is subtracted, the sign
(direction) must be changed before adding.
First Consider A + B Graphically:
B
A
B
R = A + B
R
A
B
Vector Difference
For vectors, signs are indicators of direction.
Thus, when a vector is subtracted, the sign
(direction) must be changed before adding.
Now A B: First change sign (direction)
of B, then add the negative vector.
B
A
B
-B
A
-B
R
A
Comparison of addition and subtraction of B
B
A
B
Addition and Subtraction
R = A + B
R
A
B
-B
R
A
R = A - B
Subtraction results in a significant difference
both in the magnitude and the direction of
the resultant vector. |(A B)| = |A| - |B|