Vectors a and b have magnitudes 2 and 3, respectively. If one of them is 50degrees, find the vector 5a-2b and state its magnitude.

4 answers

Use the law of cosines: You know two sides, and the included angle.

Draw the figure before you compute.
I tried that but it doesn't work.

I did (5)(2^2)+(2)(3^2)-(2)(2)(3)cos50.
vector 5a has magnitude 10 and call it at 50 degrees
vector 2 b has magnitude 6 and call it at 0 degrees
so our triangle is
10 and 6 with fifty degrees between them
so the magnitude we are looking for is from
c^2 = 10^2 + 6^2 - 10*6*cos 50
that is why it did not work.
At what angle should be adjusted the two vectors to have the same value of their llA+Bll and llA-Bll?