Practice Problems
Vector Addition
Directions:
On this worksheet you will practice adding vectors. Remember that vectors are added graphically by using the
head-to-tail method
and that the resultant is the vector that connects the beginning of the first vector to the end of the final vector. You will be asked questions regarding each resultant's magnitude and direction. The example vectors displayed in the table below are not drawn to scale; however, they do indicate correct relative directions.
x
b
a
z
omit
Question 1
Given the vectors:
x
= (17 meters, 0º) and
z
= (6 meters, 0º).
What is the magnitude, or length, of
R
1
=
x
+ 2
z
?
5 meters
29 meters
46 meters
40 meters
omit
Question 2
What is the magnitude, or length, of
R
2
= 3
x
-
z
?
NOTE: subtracting a vector means that you should add a vector that has the same magnitude, but points in 180º the opposite direction.
33 meters
45 meters
1 meters
57 meters
omit
Question 3
What is the direction of
R
3
if
R
3
=
- R
2
270º
180º
0º
225º
omit
Question 4
Given the vectors:
x
= (17 meters, 0º) and
a
= (8 meters, 42º)
What is the magnitude, or length, of
R
4
=
x
+ 3
a
?
37.6 meters
59.0 meters
38.4 meters
41.0 meters
omit
Question 5
What is the direction of
R
4
in degrees?
26.5º
24.7º
17.3º
28.3º
omit
Question 6
Given the vectors:
a
= (8 meters, 42º) and
b
= (25 meters, 90º)
What is the magnitude, or length, of
R
5
= 3
a
- 2
b
38.3 meters
74.0 meters
16.1 meters
36.0 meters
omit
Question 7
What is the direction of
R
5
in degrees?
297.7º
117.7º
332.3º
27.7º
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