I have to do a lot of physics problems, so I frequently have to resolve vectors into x and y components to add them. Is there a different way to deal with vectors, even one that's more complicated?
Here's an example of the kinds of problems I'm talking about:
F1 = 6kN
F2 = 2kN
Both forces act on P. Find the magnitude of the resultant force.
Ans:
- arctan(12/5) = 67°
- F1 = (cos(67°)*6 i + sin(67°)*6 j) kN
- F2 = (-cos(60°)*2 i - sin(60°)*2 j) kN
- Fr = (1.3 i + 3.8 j)kN
- Magnitude = 4.01 kN
Just to specify, I don't need help with this problem, I'm just curious if there's a different way to do it than what I usually do.