Component Method of

Vector Addition
By: Aemie joy M. Odsinada
IV-Darwin

The component method of addition can be summarized this way:

Using trigonometry, find the x-component and the y-component for
each vector. Refer to a diagram of each vector to correctly reason the
sign, (+ or -), for each component.
Add up both x-components, (one from each vector), to get the xcomponent of the total.
Add up both y-components, (one from each vector), to get the ycomponent of the total.
Add the x-component of the total to the y-component of the total, and
then use the Pythagorean theorem and trigonometry to get the size
and direction of the total.

Right triangle trigonometry is used to find the separate

components.
Let's take this all one step at a time. First, let's visualize the xcomponent and the y-component of d1. Here is that diagram
showing the x-component in red and the ycomponent in green:

The two components along with the original vector form a right
triangle. Therefore, we can use right triangle trigonometryto
find the lengths of the two components. That is, we can use
the 'SOH-CAH-TOA' type of definitions for the sine, cosine, and
tangent trigonometry functions.

Finding the first x-component.

Let's find the x-component of d1. Notice
that the x-component is adjacent to the
angle of 34 degrees, so, we will use the
cosine function since it relates an acute
angle, the adjacent side to that angle, and
the hypotenuse of a right triangle:

Now, using trigonometry like this will not tell us the

sign, (+ or -), of this component, (or any other). So,
we must check the diagram for positive or negative
directions. This x-component is aimed to the right, so,
it is positive:

(Again, remember that these calculations presented here have decimals

that have been truncated. Presenting calculations to many more
decimals does not help clarify methods, and, also, it violates several
rules of significant digits. In other words, these calculations are
approximate. The calculator below keeps many more decimal places, so,
its outputs will differ slightly.)

Finding the first y-component.

Now, let's find the y-component of d1. Notice that the ycomponent is opposite to the angle of 34 degrees, so, we will use
the sine function since it relates an acute angle, the opposite side
to that angle, and the hypotenuse of a right triangle:

Again, check the diagram for positive or negative directions. The

y-component aims up, so, it is positive:

The calculated values for the first set of components

Here is the diagram now showing the values for the xcomponent and y-component of d1:

Find the resultant vector of A and B given in the graph below.

(sin30=1/2, sin60=3/2, sin53=4/5, cos53=3/5)

We use trigonometric equations first

and find the components of the
vectors then, make addition and
subtraction between the vectors
sharing same direction.