2 i + j = 2 i + 1 j
is a vector of length 2 in the x direction and length 1 in the y direction
i is the unit vector in the x direction
j is the unit vector in the y direction.
Note there are no "points" involved, only lengths.
A vector from the origin to (2,1) would be 2-0 in the x direction and 1 - 0 in the y direction so would be 2 i + j
HOWEVER a vector from (3,3) to (5,4) would also be 2 i + j
as would (17, 18) to (19,19)
vectors have directions and sizes, they do not have "points". You can go east 2 and north 1 from anywhere.
If you have 2i + j would the point be ( 2,1) or 2,0? So what is j equal to in vectors when it is not with another number?
3 answers
Okay that makes sense, I wasn't sure what value the j had when it was by itself, to find magnitude.It makes sense that it is 1 and is the length in the y direction.Thanks!
You are welcome.