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Vector Resolution

Vector direction can be determined using trigonometric functions. The mnemonic SOH CAH TOA relates the sine, cosine, and tangent functions to the sides of a right triangle. These functions can be used to determine the measure of an angle in a triangle. For example, if given the lengths of two sides of a right triangle, SOH CAH TOA can help calculate the measure of the acute angle between those sides. This determined angle is not always the direction of a vector however. While the trigonometric functions give an angle within the triangle, the actual direction of a vector may be different when using the counterclockwise from East convention.

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100 views3 pages

Vector Resolution

Vector direction can be determined using trigonometric functions. The mnemonic SOH CAH TOA relates the sine, cosine, and tangent functions to the sides of a right triangle. These functions can be used to determine the measure of an angle in a triangle. For example, if given the lengths of two sides of a right triangle, SOH CAH TOA can help calculate the measure of the acute angle between those sides. This determined angle is not always the direction of a vector however. While the trigonometric functions give an angle within the triangle, the actual direction of a vector may be different when using the counterclockwise from East convention.

Uploaded by

Vekneswaraj
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vector Resolution

That is, any vector directed in two dimensions can be thought of as having two components. For
example, if a chain pulls upward at an angle on the collar of a dog, then there is a tension force directed
in two dimensions. This tension force has two components: an upward component and a rightward
component.

Using Trigonometry to Determine a Vector's Direction

The direction of a resultant vector can often be determined by use of trigonometric functions.
Most students recall the meaning of the useful mnemonic SOH CAH TOA from their course in
trigonometry. SOH CAH TOA is a mnemonic which helps one remember the meaning of the
three common trigonometric functions - sine, cosine, and tangent functions. These three
functions relate an acute angle in a right triangle to the ratio of the lengths of two of the sides
of the right triangle. The sine function relates the measure of an acute angle to the ratio of the
length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. The cosine function
relates the measure of an acute angle to the ratio of the length of the side adjacent the angle to
the length of the hypotenuse. The tangent function relates the measure of an angle to the ratio
of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the side adjacent to the angle. The
three equations below summarize these three functions in equation form.

These three trigonometric functions can be applied to the hiker problem in order to determine
the direction of the hiker's overall displacement. The process begins by the selection of one of
the two angles (other than the right angle) of the triangle. Once the angle is selected, any of the
three functions can be used to find the measure of the angle. Write the function and proceed
with the proper algebraic steps to solve for the measure of the angle. The work is shown below.
Once the measure of the angle is determined, the direction of the vector can be found. In this
case the vector makes an angle of 45 degrees with due East. Thus, the direction of this vector is
written as 45 degrees. (Recall from earlier in this lesson that the direction of a vector is the
counterclockwise angle of rotation which the vector makes with due East.)

The measure of an angle as determined through use of SOH CAH TOA is not always the
direction of the vector. The following vector addition diagram is an example of such a situation.
Observe that the angle within the triangle is determined to be 26.6 degrees using SOH CAH
TOA. This angle is the southward angle of rotation which the vector R makes with respect to
West. Yet the direction of the vector as expressed with the CCW (counterclockwise from East)
convention is 206.6 degrees.
Test your understanding of the use of SOH CAH TOA to determine the vector direction by
trying the following two practice problems. In each case, use SOH CAH TOA to determine
the direction of the resultant. When finished, click the button to view the answer.

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