answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Consider any two points on the vector, P = (a, b) and Q = (c, d). And lext x be the angle made by the vector with the positive direction of the x-axis.

Then either a = c, so that the vector is vertical and its direction is straight up or a - c is non-zero.

In that case, tan(x) = (b - d)/(a - c)

or x = tan-1[(b - d)/(a - c)]

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How to find the direction of vector A by its x and y components?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Math & Arithmetic

How do velocities add together?

Velocity is a vector, you can sum velocity in terms of direction components such as x and y.


What are the components of a vector with a magnitude of 65.0 and a direction of 101.7?

The vector's 'x'-component is -13.181 (rounded). Its 'y'-component is +63.649 (rounded). (I'm assuming that the angle of 101.7 is stated in units of 'degrees'.)


How do you find the vector of magnitude 2 in the direction of vector i plus 2j?

The magnitude of (i + 2j) is sqrt(5). The magnitude of your new vector is 2. If both vectors are in the same direction, then each component of one vector is in the same ratio to the corresponding component of the other one. The components of the known vector are 1 and 2, and its magnitude is sqrt(5). The magnitude of the new one is 2/sqrt(5) times the magnitude of the old one. So its x-component is 2/sqrt(5) times i, and its y-component is 2/sqrt(5) times 2j. The new vector is [ (2/sqrt(5))i + (4/sqrt(5))j ]. Since the components of both vectors are proportional, they're in the same direction.


How do you find the vector components only given the magnitude and x-component?

If you assume the vector is only in two dimensions, you can find the missing y-component with Pythagoras' Theorem: y = square root of (magnitude2 - x2).


Do you use sin on x or y components?

If I understand the question correctly, it is about the component of a vector along the axes, with the angle measured from the positive direction of the x-axis. If so, sin is used on the y-component.

Related questions

How do you find the x and y components of a vector?

Suppose the magnitude of the vector is V and its direction makes an angle A with the x-axis, then the x component is V*Cos(A) and the y component is V*Sin(A)


What is vector physical?

It is a magnitude that has a size and a direction. You can also express it as having components in different directions; for example, in the x-direction and in the y-direction.


How a vector can be express in term of its rectangular component?

A vector can be represented in terms of its rectangular components for example : V= Ix + Jy + Kz I, J and K are the rectangular vector direction components and x, y and z are the scalar measures along the components.


How do velocities add together?

Velocity is a vector, you can sum velocity in terms of direction components such as x and y.


What is the difference between vector and algebraic sums?

A vector has both a magnitude and a direction. To add vectors, you graphically put them head-to-tail; or, to do it with math, separate the vector into x and y components, and add the two components separately. Or more than two components, depending on the number of dimensions used.


What two quantities are needed to get a vector quantity?

A magnitude, and a direction. Or, components in two directions, often called "x-component" and "y-component".


What are the components of a vector with a magnitude of 65.0 and a direction of 101.7?

The vector's 'x'-component is -13.181 (rounded). Its 'y'-component is +63.649 (rounded). (I'm assuming that the angle of 101.7 is stated in units of 'degrees'.)


How do you find the components to a vector?

Given the vector in angle-radius form? y-component=r sin(theta), x-component=r cos(theta)


Does a unit vector have direction?

No it doesn't. A unit vector indicates direction only. The length of the orthogonal components are RELATIVE to the absolute length of the vector, thus cannot have a unit. For instance, let X'=X/x where X is a vector, x is a scalar and X' is a unit vector. X has length and direction and x has length only, thus X' has direction only. Here's an example. C = A + B where A=3m*A' and B=4m*B' (where A and B are orthogonal) cC' = aA' + bB' C' = (a/c)A' + (b/c)B' = xA' + yB' c = sqrt(3m^2+4m^2) = 5m (by pythagorous) x = (3m/5m) = (3/5) (notice that the units cancel out!) y = (4m/5m) = (4/5) (notice that the units cancel out!)


How do vectors add?

Just add their magnitudes. The combined vector will have the same direction as the original vectors.Just add their magnitudes. The combined vector will have the same direction as the original vectors.Just add their magnitudes. The combined vector will have the same direction as the original vectors.Just add their magnitudes. The combined vector will have the same direction as the original vectors.


Is torque is a scalar or a vector quantity?

Since torque is a force, and as such has a direction, it is a vector.


How do you find the vector of magnitude 2 in the direction of vector i plus 2j?

The magnitude of (i + 2j) is sqrt(5). The magnitude of your new vector is 2. If both vectors are in the same direction, then each component of one vector is in the same ratio to the corresponding component of the other one. The components of the known vector are 1 and 2, and its magnitude is sqrt(5). The magnitude of the new one is 2/sqrt(5) times the magnitude of the old one. So its x-component is 2/sqrt(5) times i, and its y-component is 2/sqrt(5) times 2j. The new vector is [ (2/sqrt(5))i + (4/sqrt(5))j ]. Since the components of both vectors are proportional, they're in the same direction.