Question

How do I find the resultant of vectors?

Answer 1

Resultant of vectors can be found using the law of cosines.

If A and B are two vectors with an angle between them equal to `theta` (`theta < pi`), their resultant R is given by,

`R = [A^2 + B^2 + 2AB Cos theta]^(1/2)`, this gives the magnitude of R.

If the vector R makes an angle `alpha` with vector A, then

`alpha = arctan [(B Cos theta)/(A + B Sin theta)]`