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Addition of Vectors

1. Quantities of vector and scalar

In addition to the fundamental and derived quantities, physical quantities can still be
divided into two other types, namely scalar quantities and vector quantities. Quantities
such as mass, distance, time and volume, are scalar quantities, quantities that only have
magnitude but have no direction. Whereas magnitudes such as displacement, velocity,
acceleration, and force are vector quantities, quantities that have magnitude and also
have direction.
a. Difference between scalar and vector quantity
If you say the mass of a ball is 400 grams, this statement is enough for you to know the
mass of the ball. You don't need direction to find out the mass of the ball. Likewise with
time, temperature, volume, density, etc. There are several physical quantities that cannot
be expressed in magnitude only. If you say a child moves as far as 100 meters, then this
statement is not enough. You might ask, where did he move? Is it north, south, east, or
west? Likewise, if you say that you push the table with a force of 200 N.
Where do you drive? Well, such quantities are called vector quantities, which require an
explanation of the magnitude and direction. Examples of vector quantities are
displacement, acceleration, impulse, momentum, etc. You can understand it more clearly
when studying subjects related to that quantities.

b. Draw a vector
Vector is indicated by an arrow. The arrow is always drawn so that it points in the
direction of the vector. The length of the arrow is described as the magnitude of the
vector. For example, in the figure of a vector of force (F) with a magnitude of 2 N whose
direction is towards the northeast or 45o about the x-axis.
c. Rules for writing quantities of vector
In writing a vector, if you use handwriting, the symbol of a vector is generally written in
italics using uppercase letters, and above it needs to be added with an arrow. For printed
books, vector symbols are written in uppercase letters in bold, for example, F. For the
magnitude of the vector, if we use handwriting then the magnitude of a vector is written,
for example, |F|. For printed books, the magnitude of a vector is written in italics, for
example, F.
2. Addition of vectors - graphical methods
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There are several ways to add vectors graphically, including the Tail-to-tip method and
the parallelogram method.
a. Tail-to-tip method of adding vectors
Vector A and B are known. Vector A = 3 cm coincides with the x-axis (towards the
east). Vector B = 2 cm forms an angle of 30 o to the x-axis (towards the northeast). Add
A and B graphically using the Tail-to-tip method. a) R = A + B b) R = A - B

The magnitude of the resultant vector (R) is measured using a ruler. The direction of the
resultant vector is measured using a protractor.
Known vectors A, B, and C. Vector A = 3 cm coincides with the x-axis (towards the
east). Vector B = 2 cm forms an angle of 30 o to the x-axis (towards the northeast).
Vector C = 1 cm forms an angle of 60 o to the x-axis (towards the northeast). Add A, B,
and C graphically using the Tail-to-tip method.
a) R = A + B + C
b) R = A - B - C

The resultant vector (R) is measured using a ruler. The direction of the resultant vector is
measured using a protractor.
b. Parallelogram method
Known vectors A, B, and C. Vector A = 3 cm coincides with the x-axis (towards the
east). Vector B = 2 cm forms an angle of 30 o to the x-axis (towards the northeast).
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Vector C = 1 cm forms an angle of 60 o to the x-axis (towards the northeast). Add A, B,

and C graphically using a parallelogram.
a) R = A + B
b) R = A - B
c) R = A + B + C
d) R = A - B - C

The resultant vector (R) is measured using a ruler. The direction of the resultant vector is
measured using a protractor.
 3. Addition of vectors - analytical method
Determining the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector with the graphical
method is one approach. The accuracy of the results depends on your accuracy and
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accuracy in drawing and reading the scale. The magnitude and direction of the resultant
vector are more precisely obtained through mathematical calculations.
a. Calculating the sum of 2 vectors using the cosine rule
The formula for determining the magnitude of the resultant vector:

The formula for determining the direction of the resultant vector:

C = resultant vector
A = vector 1
B = vector 2
cos ∠(A, B) = angle formed by vectors A and B
Sample problem 1:

F1 = 2 N forms an angle of 30 about x-axis, F2 = 3 N forms an angle of 60o about x-axis,

θ = 30o.

Sample problem 2:

F1 = 2 N coincides with the x-axis, F2 = 3 N forms an angle of 90o about x-axis, θ = 90o.

b. Adding vectors by components

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Review a vector F that forms a certain angle about the x-axis, as shown in the figure
below. Fx and Fy are component vectors of vector F.
The magnitude of the component vector is determined using the formula:
Fx = F cos θ
Fy = F sin θ

Review the two vectors F1 and F2 which form a certain angle about the x-axis, as shown
in the figure below. F1x and F1y are components of vector F1, so F2x and F2y are
components of vector F2.
The component vector is determined using the formula:

F1x = F1 cos θ
F1y = F1 sin θ
F2x = F2 cos θ
F1y = F1 sin θ
Adding the component vectors:
Fx = F1x + F2x
Fy = F1y + F2y
The resultant vector is determined using the formula:

The direction of the resultant vector is determined using the formula:

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Sample problem 1:
Determine the components of vector F whose magnitude is 20 N and form an angle of
30o about the x-axis.

Fx = (20 N)(cos 30o) = 17 N

Fy = (20 N)(sin 30o) = 10 N

Sample problem 2:

F1 = 20 N forms an angle of 30o about the x-axis and F2 = 15 N forms an angle of 180o
about the x-axis. Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.

F1x = (20 N)(cos 30o) = 17 N

F2x = F1 = - 15 N

F1y = (20 N)(sin 30o) = 10 N

F2y = 0
Adding the component vectors:
Fx = F1x - F2x = 17 N – 15 N = 2 N
Fy = 10 N
The resultant vector:

F2 = Fx2 + Fy2 = 22 + 102 = 4 + 100 = 104

F = 10.2 N
Direction of the resultant vector:
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θ = tan−15 = 78.7o about the x-axis

Sample problem 3 :

F1, F2, and F3 are 20 N, 30 N and 40 N. F1 forms an angle of 60o about the x-axis, F2
forms an angle of 150o about the x-axis, and F3 forms an angle of 315o about the x-axis.
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.

F1x = (20 N)(cos 60o) = 10 N

F1y = (20 N)(sin 60o) = 17 N

F2x = (30 N)(cos 30o) = -26 N

F2y = (30 N)(sin 30o) = 15 N

F3x = (40 N)(cos 45o) = 28 N

F3y = (40 N)(sin 45o) = -28 N

Adding the component vector:
Fx = F1x - F2x + F3x = 10 N – 26 N + 28 N = 12 N
Fy = F1y + F2y - F3y = 17 N + 15 N – 28 N = 4 N
Resultant vector:

F2 = Fx2 + Fy2 = 122 + 42 = 144 + 16 = 160

F = 13 N
Direction of the resultant vector:

θ = tan−1 0.3 = 17o about the x-axis