What does vector subtraction for two non-perpendicular vectors look like?

In summary: B}##; if you go to the left you trace the path ##\mathbf{A}-\mathbf{B}=0##.In summary, subtraction of vectors is simple but i cant visualise the subtraction please help.
  • #1
homeworkhelpls
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confused
vector subtraction of ppl is simple but i cant visualise the subtraction please help
 
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  • #2
If a -b = a + (-b) for scalars, what do you think it would be for vectors?
 
  • #3
Can you visualize the addition of vectors?
 
  • #4
AddSubtract.png
 
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  • #5
Vanadium 50 said:
If a -b = a + (-b) for scalars, what do you think it would be for vectors?
same thing?
 
  • #6
homeworkhelpls said:
same thing?
What @Vanadium 50 meant is that subtraction is actually addition of the (additive) inverse. In basic arithmetic, subtraction is seen as a separate arithmetic operation. But, as you progress in mathematics you'll see that there is only really addition.
 
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  • #7
In general A+ (-B ) = A - B. We can think of this visually as drawing the tail of a vector from the tip of B to the tip of A. This will be A - B. Assuming A and B originate at the same point.

Here is another way. As shown in Kuraman's diagram:

Multiplying by a negative 1, changes the direction of a vector, but keeps it magnitude the same. Then follow the parallelogram rule for addition of vectors. This is what's occurring in the diagram.
 
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  • #8
To @homeworkhelpls :
Since you asked specifically about the difference between two vectors, here is a recipe for subtracting vectors graphically which summarizes what has already been said.
  • Put the vectors tail to tail and connect the tips with a line segment. This is the magnitude of the difference, ##|\mathbf{A}-\mathbf{B}|.##
  • Put an arrowhead at the end of the segment touching the tip of the vector that comes first in the difference that you want to represent. This will convert the segment from a magnitude to a vector, i.e. define the direction of the difference.
Note that when you start where the tails are together and move in the direction of the arrows:
  • in (1) if you go to the left, you reach directly the tip of ##\mathbf{A}##; if you go to the right, you trace the path ##\mathbf{B}+(\mathbf{A-B})=\mathbf{A}##, same place.
  • in (2) if you go to the right, you reach directly the tip of ##\mathbf{B}##; if you go to the left you trace the path ##\mathbf{A}+(\mathbf{B-A})=\mathbf{B}##, same place.
VectorSubtraction.png
 
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FAQ: What does vector subtraction for two non-perpendicular vectors look like?

What is vector subtraction?

Vector subtraction is a mathematical operation that involves finding the difference between two vectors. It is used to determine the displacement or change in position between two points in a given direction.

How is vector subtraction different from vector addition?

Vector subtraction is the opposite of vector addition. While vector addition combines two or more vectors to find their resultant vector, vector subtraction finds the difference between two vectors to determine their relative positions.

What does the result of vector subtraction represent?

The result of vector subtraction represents the displacement or change in position between two points in a given direction. It can also be interpreted as the magnitude and direction of the difference between the two vectors.

Can vector subtraction be performed on any two vectors?

Yes, vector subtraction can be performed on any two vectors, regardless of their magnitude or direction. However, the result may be negative if the two vectors are in opposite directions.

How is vector subtraction for non-perpendicular vectors different from perpendicular vectors?

Vector subtraction for non-perpendicular vectors involves using the parallelogram method or the head-to-tail method to find the resultant vector. This is because the two vectors are not at right angles to each other, so their components cannot be easily added or subtracted. On the other hand, for perpendicular vectors, the components can be directly added or subtracted to find the resultant vector.

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