Thomson & Dahleh Vibrations 5e: Chapter 1 - Problem 1.

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Problem 1.8
Determine the sum of two vectors 5eiπ/6 and 4eiπ/3 and find the angle between the resultant and
the first vector.

Solution

Let z1 = 5eiπ/6 and z2 = 4eiπ/3 .

z1 + z2 = 5eiπ/6 + 4eiπ/3
 π π  π π
= 5 cos + i sin + 4 cos + i sin
6 ! 6 3 3
√ √ !
3 1 1 3
=5 +i +4 +i
2 2 2 2
√ ! 
√

5 3 5
= + 2 + i + 2i 3
2 2
√ √
5 3+4 5+4 3
= +i
2 2
Find the angle θ that z1 + z2 makes with the positive real axis.
√ ! √ !
5+4 3
5 + 4 3
θ = tan−1 √2 = tan−1 √ ≈ 0.7556 ≈ 43.29°
5 3+4 5 3+4
2

Therefore, the angle between the resultant and the first vector is
π
θ− ≈ 43.29° − 30° = 13.29°.
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