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how to find angle between two vectors

Angle between Two Vectors

The discussion on direction angles of vectors focused on finding the angle of a vector with respect to the positive x-axis. This discussion will focus on the angle between two vectors in standard position . A vector is said to be in standard position if its initial point is the origin (0, 0).

Figure 1 shows two vectors in standard position.

The angle between two vectors in standard position can be calculated as follows:

ANGLE BETWEEN TWO VECTORS:

If θ is the angle between two non-zero vectors in standard position u and v:

Where

0 θ 2 π

and

v = v 1 2 + v 2 2

Let's look at some examples.

To work these examples requires the use of various vector rules. If you are not familiar with a rule go to the associated topic for a review.

Example 1: Find the angle θ between u = 6 , 3 and v = 5 , 13 .

Step 1: Find the dot product of the vectors.

Remember the result will be a scalar.

u · v = u 1 v 1 + u 2 v 2

u · v

( 6 · 5 ) + ( 3 · 13 )

30 + 39 = 69

Step 2: Find the magnitudes of each vector.

v = v 1 2 + v 2 2

||u|| = u 1 2 + u 2 2

||u|| = 6 2 + 3 2

||u|| = 45 = 3 5

______________________________

||v|| = v 1 2 + v 2 2

||v|| = 5 2 + 13 2

||v|| = 194

Step 3: Substitute and solve for θ.

c o s θ = u · v u · v

c o s θ = u · v u · v

cos θ = 69 3 5 · 194 = 23 970

θ = cos 1 23 970

θ 42 °

Example 2: Find the angle θ between u = 3 , - 6 and v = 8 , 4 .

Step 1: Find the dot product of the vectors.

Remember the result will be a scalar.

u · v = u 1 v 1 + u 2 v 2

u · v

( 3 · 8 ) + ( 6 · 4 )

24 24 = 0

Step 2: Find the magnitudes of each vector.

v = v 1 2 + v 2 2

||u|| = u 1 2 + u 2 2

||u|| = 3 2 + ( 6 ) 2

||u|| = 45 = 3 5

______________________________

||v|| = v 1 2 + v 2 2

||v|| = 8 2 + 4 2

||v|| = 80 = 2 20

Step 3: Substitute and solve for θ.

c o s θ = u · v u · v

As soon as you determine that the dot product is 0 you do not need to calculate the magnitudes. They are completed here for your benefit.

Note that when two vectors in standard position have a dot product of 0 the angle between them is 90°.

c o s θ = u · v u · v

cos θ = 0 3 5 · 2 20 = 0 6 100 = 0 60

θ = cos 1 0

θ = 90 °

how to find angle between two vectors

Source: https://www.softschools.com/math/pre_calculus/angle_between_two_vectors/

Posted by: culpepperconifice88.blogspot.com

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