Simple vector question
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Simple vector question

[From: ] [author: ] [Date: 11-06-06] [Hit: ]
OK?-In answer to the question in your Additional Details: the vector IS negative, because cos185 = -0.996.......
Jane walks 400 metres due South, then 250 metres in the direction S85W and finally 180 metres in the direction N20E. Determine the magnitude and direction of her resulting displacement, relative to her starting point.

Ok,

I have have found the first vector to be -400j but here is my issue:

For the 2nd vector, the answer says:

250cos(185)i + 250cos(185)j

Where did the 185 come from?

Thanks

-
Angles are measured anticlockwise from the zero degree line, which is this case is the East direction. The second vector points into the 3rd quadrant and is only 5 degrees below the horizontal line through the end of the first vector. This line is parallel to the East-West line. So if you start from the East line and go anticlockwise, you have to go (180 + 5) = 185 to get to the second vector. OK?

-
In answer to the question in your Additional Details: the vector IS negative, because cos185 = -0.996.
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