How do you get speed and and direction using velocity?

Answer 1

Velocity is a vector, so you simply use vector properties, noting that speed is a magnitude of velocity. For example:

If velocity is (8x, -4y),

then the speed is:

sqrt(8^2+4^2) = sqrt(68) (by Pythagoras)

and the direction is:

tan(A) = -4/8

A = arctan (-1/2) = -26.56 degrees (or 333.43 degrees)

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