QNHS-SHS : Q1/Wk2 – GENERAL PHYSICS 1

ADDITION OF VECTORS:
I. Polygon Method
Parallelogram method is a common way of adding two vectors; where the resultant is the diagonal line of the
parallelogram from the common point, of reference.

II. Mathematical / analytical method of adding vectors:

a. Method of trigonometry using Pythagorean Theorem, for two vectors to be added:
c2 = a2 + b2, simply apply the SOHCAHTOA analysis of the sides
b. Component method

Do this as Q1Wk2/TASK 1: Given this sample data, find the resultant vector displacement:
d1 = 3m, East d3 = 5m, 350 South West
d2 = 4m, South

1. Resolve the initial vectors into their components in the x and y directions
 d1 = (3,0) or Ax = 3m and Ay = 0m
 d2 = (0, -4) or Bx = 0m and By = -4m
 d3 = (-4.10, -2.87) or Cx = 5cos35m and Cy = 5sin35m
 Cx = 4.10 and Cy = -2.87
2. Solve for Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx + …. & Ry = Ay + By + Cx + …
 ∑ Rx = [3 + 0 + (-4.10)]
= -1.10m
 ∑ Ry = [0 + (-4) + (-2.87)]
= -6.87
3. Find the magnitude of the resultant vector from the components R x and Ry using Pythagorean
Theorem Ry = (Rx)2 + (Ry)2
R= (-1.1)2 + (-6.87)2
R= √ 1.21+ 47.20
R=√ 48 .41
R= 6.96m
4. Find the direction of the resultant using

 θ=¿ tan-1 ( 6.87

1.1 )
= 80.90o or 81o

The resultant displacement is in the West of South direction in the third quadrant,
counterclockwise from the negative x-axis in the cartesian plane.
5. The angle θ may be situated in any of the four quadrants depending on the directions of the total
components in x & y.

The direction of the resultant for the corresponding values of Rx and Ry:

Rx Ry Position of R How ø is measured

1 + + 1st quadrant ccw from +x – axis

2 - + 2nd quadrant cw from - x – axis

3 - - 3rd quadrant ccw from - x – axis

4 + - 4th quadrant cw from +x – axis