METHODS OF

VECTOR ADDITION
METHODS OF VECTOR
ADDITION
1. GRAPHICAL METHOD
• Parallelogram Method
• Polygon Method
2 ANALYTICAL METHOD
• Law of sines and cosines
• Component Method
WHAT ABOUT DIRECTION?
N

W of N E of N
N of E
N of W
W E
S of W S of E

W of S E of S
S
1. GRAPHICAL METHOD
Parallelogram Method

1. Two forces A and B are acting on an object. A is 3 N directed

north and B is 4 N north of east. Find the resultant force acting
on the object using the parallelogram method.
N
expected R is
6 N, 55⁰

W E

S
2. A particle is being acted upon by the following forces:
F1= 4 N east, F2 = 6 N northeast, and F3 = 8 N south. Find the resultant using
the parallelogram method. You may add the forces according to the following
grouping R1 = F1 + F2 and R2 = R1 + F3

W E
expected R = 9 N, 25⁰

S
1. GRAPHICAL METHOD
Polygon Method
You are out for an early walk. You walk 5 m, south and 12 m east, Then you
decided to walk farther and go 4 m, southwest and 6 m, west. How far are
you now from your starting point and in what direction?
N E

expected R = 8 m, 68⁰

S
2. ANALYTICAL METHOD
Law of sines and cosines
Two forces A and B are acting on a particle. A is 3 N directed
north and B is 4 N, 30⁰ north of east. Find the resultant force
using the laws of sines and cosines.
R² = A² + B² – 2AB cos 120⁰ N
R² = (3 N) ² + (4 N)² – 2(3 N) (4 N) cos 120⁰
R = 6.1 N
W E
4N = 6.1 N
sin 120⁰
= 0.5679
Using a Pythagorean theorem,

R= Using the equation for

R= = opposite side
R= adjacent side
R= = 4
R=5 3
= 53⁰
R = 6.1 N, 53⁰ north of east
 SEATWORK:

1. Two forces A and B are acting on an object. A is 5 N directed north

and B is 8 N north of east. Find the resultant force acting on the
object using the parallelogram method and polygon method
2. Two forces A and B are acting on a particle. A is 4 N directed north
and B is 8 N, 30⁰ north of east. Find the resultant force using the laws
of sines and cosines.