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Trigonometry

Resultant Vector by Rectangular Components

See how to break four force vectors into x and y components, add them, and find a 10 N resultant along the positive x-axis.

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Y Combinator

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Problem

Find the resultant vector for part (e).

Step 1: Decompose the Vectors

To find the resultant vector, decompose each vector into its xx and yy components using

Vx=Vcos(θ)V_x = V\cos(\theta)

and

Vy=Vsin(θ).V_y = V\sin(\theta).

Step 2: Sum the Components

After calculating the components for all four vectors, sum the xx-components and yy-components separately:

Rx=12.8+7.220+10=10 NR_x = 12.8 + 7.2 - 20 + 10 = 10\text{ N}

and

Ry=9.69.6+0+0=0 N.R_y = 9.6 - 9.6 + 0 + 0 = 0\text{ N}.

Step 3: Determine the Resultant

Since the yy-component is zero, the resultant vector lies entirely along the XX-axis.

Therefore, the final resultant is

10 N\boxed{10\text{ N}}

directed along the XX-axis.

Concepts

Vector Operations

Vectors have both magnitude and direction, represented in component form a,b\langle a, b \rangle. Operations include addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication, and finding the magnitude. Unit vectors have magnitude 1.

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