Chapter 7: Problem 31
Find the magnitude of the vector a and the smallest positive angle \(\boldsymbol{\theta}\) from the positive \(\boldsymbol{x}\) -axis to the vector \(O P\) that corresponds to a. $$\mathbf{a}=\langle 3,-3\rangle$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The magnitude is \(3\sqrt{2}\) and the smallest positive angle is \(\frac{7\pi}{4}\) radians.
Step by step solution
01
Find the magnitude of the vector
To find the magnitude of vector \(\mathbf{a} = \langle 3, -3 \rangle\), use the formula for the magnitude of a vector \(\mathbf{a} = \langle x, y \rangle\), which is \(\|\mathbf{a}\| = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}\). Substituting the given values, we get: \[\|\mathbf{a}\| = \sqrt{3^2 + (-3)^2} = \sqrt{9 + 9} = \sqrt{18} = 3\sqrt{2}.\] So, the magnitude of the vector is \(3\sqrt{2}\).
02
Calculate the angle with the positive x-axis
To find the angle \(\theta\) that the vector makes with the positive \(x\)-axis, use the formula \(\tan\theta = \frac{y}{x}\). Substituting the given values, we have \(\tan\theta = \frac{-3}{3} = -1\). To find \(\theta\), we use the inverse tangent function: \[\theta = \tan^{-1}(-1).\] In the range of \(0\) to \(2\pi\), the angle whose tangent is \(-1\) is \(\frac{7\pi}{4}\) radians (or \(315^\circ\)).
03
Ensure the angle θ is positive
The angle \(\frac{7\pi}{4}\) is already positive and is measured counterclockwise from the positive \(x\)-axis to the vector \(\langle 3, -3 \rangle\). Therefore, \(\theta = \frac{7\pi}{4}\) radians, which corresponds to the desired positive angle.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Magnitude of a vector
Vectors are quantities that have both a magnitude and a direction. The magnitude, or length, of a vector is a measure of how long the line you would draw to represent the vector is, without considering the direction. For example, consider a vector \( \mathbf{a} = \langle 3, -3 \rangle \). To find its magnitude, we use the formula \( \| \mathbf{a} \| = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \). Substitute the vector's components into this equation for specific calculations:
- First, square each component: \( 3^2 = 9 \) and \( (-3)^2 = 9 \).
- Add these squares: \( 9 + 9 = 18 \).
- Finally, take the square root: \( \sqrt{18} = 3\sqrt{2} \).
Angle with the x-axis
Angles in the context of vectors measure the orientation of a vector concerning a reference axis. Here, the positive x-axis is our reference. For any vector \( \mathbf{a} = \langle x, y \rangle \), we can determine the angle \( \theta \) it makes with the x-axis using the tangent function. The formula \( \tan \theta = \frac{y}{x} \) gives us a basis to find this angle.
- For \( \mathbf{a} = \langle 3, -3 \rangle \), substitute the values into the formula to get \( \tan \theta = \frac{-3}{3} = -1 \).
Inverse tangent function
The inverse tangent function, often denoted as \( \tan^{-1} \) or \( \arctan \), is a mathematical tool used to retrieve an angle from the value of its tangent. Once we have \( \tan \theta = -1 \), the inverse tangent function helps us find \( \theta \).
- This function will provide us an angle \( \theta \) such that \( \tan \theta = -1 \).
- Within the range of 0 to \(2\pi\) (or 0° to 360° for degrees), the angle that satisfies this condition is \( \frac{7\pi}{4} \) radians or 315°.
Positive angle measurement
The concept of positive angle measurement is about ensuring that the angle calculated in relation to a reference direction is non-negative. In mathematics, angles are usually considered positive when measured in a counterclockwise direction from a reference axis, such as the positive x-axis.
- With \( \theta = \frac{7\pi}{4} \) radians (or 315°), we have a positive angle, as it effectively moves counterclockwise from the x-axis.
- This specific angle measurement technique ensures that our representation of vector direction remains consistent and understandable.