- #1
wahaj
- 156
- 2
**refer to attached picture**
I'm having some trouble understanding what is happening here. I'm trying to write this vector into its component form so I can solve an equilibrium problem. But I don't understand how the book is splitting this vector. I only drew the vector that I am having trouble with so this isn't the entire problem.
Write the vector in cartesian vector form i.e split it up into its components. i,j,k are unit vectors in the direction x,y,z respectively. F is the force.
pythagoras theorem
To find the x & y components you consider the projected vector which lies on the x-y plane. x would be 3/5F and y would be -4/5F. z can be found by looking at the original vector which comes out to be 4/5F.
So F = 3/5F i - 4/5F j + 4/5F k
But that is not what the book says, the way it's written in the book is as follows
F = 3/5(3/5F) i - 4/5(3/5F) j + 4/5F
I don't understand why the book is doing this.
I'm having some trouble understanding what is happening here. I'm trying to write this vector into its component form so I can solve an equilibrium problem. But I don't understand how the book is splitting this vector. I only drew the vector that I am having trouble with so this isn't the entire problem.
Homework Statement
Write the vector in cartesian vector form i.e split it up into its components. i,j,k are unit vectors in the direction x,y,z respectively. F is the force.
Homework Equations
pythagoras theorem
The Attempt at a Solution
To find the x & y components you consider the projected vector which lies on the x-y plane. x would be 3/5F and y would be -4/5F. z can be found by looking at the original vector which comes out to be 4/5F.
So F = 3/5F i - 4/5F j + 4/5F k
But that is not what the book says, the way it's written in the book is as follows
F = 3/5(3/5F) i - 4/5(3/5F) j + 4/5F
I don't understand why the book is doing this.