Components of a Vector

Consider a displacement vector pointing northeast.

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 Components of a Vector

It also has a component along the north (vertical axis).

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Components of a Vector

It has a component along the east (horizontal axis).

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Components of a Vector

A vector can be resolved into its components.

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Components of a Vector

Can you resolve the components in this vector?

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 Components of a Vector

The direction of the vector

can be presented as angle 𝜃
(Greek letter for theta),
measured in a
counterclockwise
direction from the +x-axis.

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 Components of a Vector

Consider a right triangle below.

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 Components of a Vector

The sides of the triangle can be defined from the angle.

Legend:
h = hypotenuse (hyp)
o = opposite (opp)
a = adjacent (adj)

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 Components of a Vector

Trigonometric functions can be expressed as the following

equations:

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Remember

In calculating the sine, cosine, and

tangent, make sure that your calculator
is in degree mode since the angles or
directions are given in degrees.
Otherwise, you will get a different value
for your final answer.

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 Components of a Vector

Suppose we have the following displacement vector.

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 Components of a Vector

It has a component in the vertical axis.

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 Components of a Vector

It has a component in the horizontal axis.

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 Components of a Vector

The relationships between its components and its angle can

be expressed as the given equations:

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 Components of a Vector

Hence, trigonometrically, we can define the components as

the following equations.

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When should you use the given
equations for the x- and y-
components of a vector?

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 Let’s Practice!

What are the x- and y-components of a displacement

vector with a magnitude of 50 m and an angle of 30°?

The x-component of the vector is 43.30 m while its y-

component is 25 m.
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 Let’s Practice!

A car has a displacement of 750 m, 45° north of west.

What are the components of the displacement
vector?

The x-component of the vector is ‒530.33 m while its y-

component is 530.33 m.
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 Let’s Practice!

A vector located in the second quadrant has an x-

component of ‒80 m at an angle of 20°, as shown in
the figure below. Find the magnitude of the vector
and its y-component.

The magnitude of the vector is 233.90 m while its y-

component is 219.80 m.
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 Calculating the Resultant Vector

● In the same way that a vector can be resolved into its

components, a vector’s magnitude and direction can also
be calculated using its components.

● Trigonometric functions involving the angle and the ratio

of the sides of a right triangle can also be used to
calculate the resultant vector.

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 Calculating the Resultant Vector

The resultant vector can be calculated using Pythagorean

theorem.

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 Calculating the Resultant Vector

The angle or direction of the vector is determined using the

inverse tangent function of the ratio of the x- and y-
components.

To ensure that your final answer is correct it is very

important that you check the signs of the x- and y-
components. 37
Tips

It would be very helpful to draw a

sketch to identify the location of the x-
and y-components. In this way, you will
be able to easily identify the location of
the angle (direction) in the Cartesian
plane.

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 Let’s Practice!

What is the magnitude and direction of a

displacement vector if its components are as
follows: Ax = 10 m, Ay = 5 m?

The displacement vector has a magnitude of 11.18 m

and a direction of 𝜃 = 26.57° or 26.57° north of east.
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 Let’s Practice!

An airplane covered a displacement vector with

components of Dx= ‒2500 km and Dy= 1800 km. What
is the magnitude and direction of the displacement
vector?

The displacement vector has a magnitude of 3080.58

km and a direction of 𝜃 = 144.25° from the +x-axis.
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 Let’s Practice!

A displacement vector located in the first quadrant

has a magnitude of 50 km and has an x-component
of 44 km. Find the (a) y-component of the vector and
(b) its direction from the +x-axis.

The y-component of the vector is 23.75 km. The

direction of the vector is 28.36° from the +x-axis.
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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● A vector at an angle can be resolved into its two

components: a component parallel to the
horizontal axis (x-axis) and another component
parallel to the vertical axis (y-axis).

● The components of a vector are calculated using

the trigonometric functions sine and cosine.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Angle 𝜃 should be measured in a

counterclockwise direction from the positive x-
axis to use the given equations for the x- and y-
components.

● The magnitude and direction of a vector can be

calculated through its two components using the
Pythagorean theorem and the tangent function.
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 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Components of
solve the x-
Vectors
where component of a
● Ax is the x- vector.
component of the
vector
● A is the magnitude
of the vector
● 𝜃 is the angle
measured from the
+x-axis
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 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Components of
solve the y-
Vectors
where component of a
● Ay is the y- vector.
component of the
vector
● A is the magnitude
of the vector
● 𝜃 is the angle
measured from the
+x-axis
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 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Components of
solve the magnitude
Vectors
where of a vector.
● A is the magnitude
of the vector
● Ax is the x-
component of the
vector
● Ay is the y-
component of the
vector
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 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Components of
determine the
Vectors
where direction of a vector.
● 𝜃 is the angle
● Ax is the x-
component of the
vector
● Ay is the y-
component of the
vector

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