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Magnitude and direction of <0, 4>

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Magnitude and direction, unit vector · Precalculus

Step by step

The question

Question: find the magnitude and the direction of v = ⟨0, 4⟩.

v = ⟨0, 4⟩

1 Draw the arrow

Draw the grid.

The arrow starts at the origin.

It goes up 4.

2 Find the length

The arrow goes straight up.

So its length is just 4.

‖v‖ = 4

3 Read the angle

The arrow points straight up: a quarter turn.

So θ = 90°.

θ = 90°

So the magnitude is 4 and the direction is 90°.

‖v‖ = 4 and θ = 90°

4 Check

Let's check on the grid: the green arc turns to the arrow.

That is 90°.

Right!

θ = 90°: a quarter turn

Let's look back.

First: draw the arrow.

Then: find the length.

Then: read the angle.

Last: check.

Answer
‖v‖ = 4 and θ = 90°

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find the magnitude and the direction of v⟨0, 7⟩
Show the answer
‖v‖ = 7 and θ = 90°

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