What are the trig equations we use to find a vector's x and y components, and it's directional angle?
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Any vector directed in two dimensions can be thought of having an influence in two different directions, i.e., it can be thought of having two parts, each part of a 2-dimensional vector is known as a component.
For example, in the vector , the x-axis (horizontal) component is 5 and y-axis (vertical) component is 2.
Consider a vector as shown below,
Draw a perpendicular from tip of vector on x-axis, then is the projection of on x-axis. Similarly, is the projection of on y-axis.
Magnitude of tells how much of much exists in x-direction and magnitude of tells how much of exists in y-direction.
Also, graphically we have =+ and these three vectors form a right angle triangle.
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