resultant vector?

Question

how do you know how to solde for a resultant vector?

Answer 1

You can use little arrows to represent each vector. The direction of the arrow indicates the direction of the vector. The length of the arrow represents the magnitude of the vector.

To add two vectors (A and B for example). Draw A and then draw B, starting with the tail of B on the point of A. Your answer, the vector C for example, is the new arrow you get by drawing it from the tail of A to the point of B, with the point of C being on the B point and the tail of C being on the A tail.

To subtract two vectors, draw A and then draw B, but this time with its tail starting on A's tail. Your answer, C, is then the new vector you can get by drawing it from the point of A to the point of B.

There are of course equations you can learn, but that is beyond the scope of this answer. Try the graphical way and play around with a bunch of vectors until you get the hang of it.