ADDITION OF VECTORS

ANALYTICAL METHOD
Vector addition by components
1. Resolve the vectors into their
components in the x and y direction.
Ax = A cos , Ay = A sin

ADDITION OF VECTORS
2. Add the components in the x direction
to give Rx and add the components in
the y direction to give ry. That is
Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx = sum of xcomponents
Ry = Ay + By + Cy = sum of ycomponents

ADDITION OF VECTORS
3. Find the magnitude of the resultant
R from the components Rx and Ry.
From the Pythagorean Theorem
R = (Rx) + (Ry)

ADDITION OF VECTORS
4. Determine the direction of the
resultant R using Tan = Ry
Rx
= inv tan Ry
Rx

SAMPLE PROBLEM
GIVEN: A = 2 cm, N; B = 3 cm, 20 N
of E
C = 5 cm, 40 S or E; D = 4 cm, 40 N
or W
Ax = A cos = (2cm) (cos 90) = 0
Ay = A sin = (2cm) (sine 90) = 2cm
Bx = B cos = (3cm) (cos 20) =
2.82.cm

SAMPLE PROBLEM
Cx = C cos = (5cm) (cos 40) = 3.83
cm
Cy = C sin = (5cm) (sin 40) = -3.21
cm
Dx = D cos = (4cm) (cos 40) =
-3.06 cm
Dy = D sin = (4cm) (sin 40) = 2.57
cm
Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx + Dx
= 0 + 2.82 +3.83 + (-3.06) = 3.59
cm

SAMPLE PROBLEM
R = (Rx) + (Ry)
= (3.59 cm) + (2.39 cm)
R = 4.31 cm
Tan = Ry / Rx = 2.39 cm / 3.59 cm
= 0.6657
= inv tan 0.6657 = 33 39 11
R = 4.31 cm, 33 39 11