2D Vector Introduction, Form Conversion
2D Vectors
Vectors have magnitude and direction. 2D vectors are represented by directed line segments in the xy-plane.
They can be given in component form by specifying the amount of horizontal and vertical change from the initial point (tail) to the terminal point (tip). The blue vector w above is manipulated by specifying the two components via the sliders or input boxes. Below these inputs we see the details of computing the magnitude and direction for this vector.
Vectors can also be determined by specifying a magnitude (length) and direction (angle with the positive portion of the x-axis). The red vector u above is manipulated by specifying the magnitude and direction via the sliders or input boxes. Below these inputs we see the details of computing the component form of this vector.