STEP 1 – break each vector into its components X = - 5 Y = 0 X = - 10.8 Y = - 2.3 5 12° 11
STEP 2 – add all the X and Y components separately - 5 - 10.8 - 2.3 - 15.8 - 2.3
STEP 3 – Use the sum of the X and Y components to construct the resultant vector. Use Pythagorean theorem to determine the magnitude of the resultant 15.8 2.3 R = (15.8)2 + (2.3)2 = 16.0 ‘units’ @ 8.3°south of west Use trigonometry to determine the angle (ALWAYS back at the beginning) opp 2.3 tanθ = = adj 15.8 θ = 8.3°
Calculating relative error accepted - experimental % error = X 100 actual
= 3.13% = 5.63% = 16.9% = 41.0% 16.0 – 15.5 magnitude error = X 100 16.0 – 15.1 magnitude error = 5.63% = X 100 16.0 8.3 – 9.7 direction error = 16.9% = X 100 8.3 8.3 – 11.7 direction error = 41.0% = X 100 8.3