Adding two vectors A and B graphically can be visualized like two successive walks, with the vector sum being the vector distance from the beginning to the end point. Representing the vectors by arrows drawn to scale, the beginning of vector B is placed at the end of vector A. The vector sum R can be drawn as the vector from the beginning to the end point.

The process can be done mathematically by finding the components of A and B, combining to form the components of R, and then converting to polar form.

Finding the components of vectors for vector addition involves forming a right triangle from each vector and using the standard triangle trigonometry.

The vector sum can be found by combining these components and converting to polar form.

After finding the components for the vectors A and B, and combining them to find the components of the resultant vector R, the result can be put in polar form by

Some caution should be exercised in evaluating the angle with a calculator because of ambiguities in the arctangent on calculators.

After finding the components for the vectors A and B, these components may be just simply added to find the components of the resultant vector R.

The components fully specify the resultant of the vector addition, but it is often desirable to put the resultant in polar form.

Vectors are resolved into components by use of the triangle trig relationships. You may change the length or angle of the polar form of the vector, and the components will be calculated below.

If the components of a vector are known, then its magnitude and direction can be calculated with the use of the Pythagorean relationship and triangle trig. This is called the polar form of the vector.

Vector addition involves finding vector components, adding them and finding the polar form of the resultant.

Vector addition involves finding vector components, adding them and finding the polar form of the resultant.