Vector Algebra

Prepared by
MARINETTE RIVERA
APAO

Vector Algebra: Graphical

Methods
Triangle (Tail-to-Head) Method
Scale: 1 div. =
3m

Given:
d1 = 9 m, E

Use a
protractor
to measure
the angle
(from the
x-axis)

d2 = 12 m,
N
dR = ? m
dR = 5 div
dR = 15 m,
530

Vector Algebra: Graphical

Methods
Right Angle (Tail-to-Tail) Method
Given:
d1 = 9 m,
00
d2 = 12
m,900
dR = ? m
dR = 5 div
dR = 15 m,

Scale: 1 div. =
3m

Methods
Parallelogram (Tail-to-Tail)
Given:
F1 = 15 N, E

Method

F2 = 20 N,
450
FR = ? N
FR = diagonal
line of the
parallelogram

FR = 6.5 div

Scale: 1 div. =
5N

Vector Algebra: Graphical

Methods
Polygon (Tail-to-Head) Method

The polygon method is used when adding > 2 vectors.

Given:
d1 = 4 m, E
d2 = 8 m, N
d3 = 6 m, 2100
d4 = 3 m, S
dR = ? m
Scale: 1div = 1 m
dR = 2.3 div
dR = 2.3 m, 1200
or

Vector Algebra: Analytical

Methods
Pythagorean Theorem
(

Used when adding 2 vectors that are 90 0 from each

other
Equation:

or

Exercise 1

d1 = 9 m,
E
d2 = 12
m, N
dR
b

c = a2 + b2

Vector Algebra: Analytical

Methods
Cosine
Law
(magnitude
only)
Used when adding 2 vectors that are < or > 90 from each other
0

a, b and c
are sides.
C is the
angle
opposite
side c

Equatio
n:

A
c=?N
C
B
a = 15
N

b= 20
N

Vector Algebra: Analytical

Methods
Sine Law (direction/angle)
Used when adding 2 vectors that are < or > 90 from each other
(

Equatio
n:

A
c=?N
C
B
a = 15
N

b= 20
N

FR = 32.39N, 260

Vector Algebra: Analytical

Methods
Component Method
Used when adding more than 2 vectors

Steps
1.Determine the x and y components of each
vector.
2.Find the sum of the components along each axis.
3.Determine the quadrant where the Resultant
Vector is expected by illustrating the sums in the
Cartesian plane
4.Compute the RESULTANT VECTOR using the
Pythagorean Theorem for the magnitude and
tangent function for the direction

Resolution of a Vector
Determining the components of a
vector
A vector has
many possible
pairs of
components,
but the easiest
to determine are
the components

Resolution of a Vector
Determining the x and y components
of a vector
Example: Find the x and y components
of a 20 N force directed at 500
F

F
X

FX = Fcos
= (20N)
cos500
= (20N)
(0.6428)
= 12.86 N

FY = Fsin
= (20N)
sin500
= (20N)
(0.766)
= 15.32 N

Vector Algebra: Component

S1: Determine the Method
x and y components of each vector
Example:
Find the resultant
of the
following
vectors;
v1=2.0 m/s E,
v2= 4.0 m/s N,
v3 = 5.0 m/s 300 N of
W
v4 = 3.0 m/s 2400

S2: Find the sum

along the x and y

Vector

X - Component

Y - Component

v1= 2 m/s , v1x= v1cos00

E
= (2 m/s )(1)
= 2.00 m/s

v1y= v1sin00
= (2 m/s )(0)
=0

V2= 4 m/s , v2x= v2cos900

N
= (4 m/s )(0)
=0

v2y= v2sin900
= (4 m/s )(1)
= 4.00 m/s

v3= 5 m/s , v3x= v3cos300

300 N of W
= (5 m/s )(0.866)
= -4.33 m/s

v3y= v3sin300
= (5 m/s )
(0.5)
= 2.50 m/s

v4= 3 m/s , v4x= v4cos2400

2400
= (3 m/s )(0.5)
= -1.50 m/s

v4y= v1sin2400
= (3 m/s )(0.866)
= -2.59 m/s

Sum ()

Vx =2+0-4.33-

Vy =0+4+2.5-

Vector Algebra: Component

Method

S3: Diagram X and Y in

the Cartesian Plane

S4: Determine the Resultant Vector

VR = x2 + y2
= (-3.83m/s)2 + (3.91 m/s)2
= 14.67 m2/s2 + 15.29 m2/s2
= 29.96 m2/s2
= 5.47 m/s

tan = y/x
= 3.91m/s -3.83m/s
= -1.02
= tan-1-1.02
= -460

VR = 5.5 m/s, 460 N of W