Question

Find the scalar and vector components of the vector with initial point (2, 1) and terminal point (–5, 7).

Answer 1

The given initial point is P( 2,1 )and terminal point is Q( −5,7 ).

Formula for vector equation when initial and terminal points are given is,

PQ → =( x 2 − x 1 ) i ^ +( y 2 − y 1 ) j ^

Here, x 1 =2, x 2 =−5, y 1 =1 and y 2 =7.

Substitute the values in above formula, we get,

PQ → =( −5−2 ) i ^ +( 7−1 ) j ^ =−7 i ^ +6 j ^

Thus, the scalar components are −7 and 6, and the vector components are −7 i ^ and 6 j ^ .