1.

08: Resolution of vectors

When adding and subtracting vectors in polar form (lengths/magnitudes and angles), you a limited to working with
them geometrically – that is, translating (sliding) them into a triangle and using trigonometry to find unknown vector
lengths/magnitudes and angles. To use this method, and to do it successfully, you need to:

1. Obey rules of geometry when sliding so your angles stay the same.
2. Know and use trigonometry rules for right and non-right-angle triangles
3. Only be working with 3 vectors

We know that adding and subtracting with vectors in component form (𝑥, 𝑦) or 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 is much easier, as we only
have to add and subtract the corresponding components. We only work with numbers and not triangles so we aren’t
limited to only working with 3 vectors.

Consequently, it is easiest and best to resolve (convert) vectors into components to do problems where vectors need
to be added or subtracted.