How to find out the angle between two vectors? - ProProfs Discuss
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How to find out the angle between two vectors?

Asked by Deborah , Last updated: Apr 14, 2024

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3 Answers

Ken Wilson

Ken Wilson

Want to learn new things and share my knowledge

Ken Wilson
Ken Wilson, Marketing Analyst, MBA, Miami

Answered Aug 18, 2020

Let us say that you have always had trouble with understanding physics. You need to realize that you are not alone.

These are some of the things you should know:

*This time you need to find the angle between two vectors and you do not know where to begin. This is going to be easy.

*All you have to do is to know the formula to use. One formula that people use is the dot formula that will be written like this: (A.B=|A|x|B|xcos(X)).

*Make sure to replace the information on the formula with the numbers that are given to you.

*Complete the required mathematical equation so that you can get the answer.
There are also some online calculators that will allow you to compute for the angle as long as you would provide the right details.

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O. Bickis

O. Bickis

Get immense pleasure in traveling and writing about visiting places.

O. Bickis
O. Bickis, Corporate employee, MBA, Stockton

Answered Aug 13, 2020

To calculate the angle between two vectors, you will need to use this formula: cosθ = (u • v) / (|| u|| ||v||). I will need you to assume that there is an arrow on "u" and "v" at their different places, which indicates they have direction. || u || and || v || represent the length of both vector u and vector v, while u.v represent the dot product of the two vectors.

Suppose these two-dimensional vectors have (3,3) and (0,3) as the components for vector u and v, respectively. Vector u can be written as u= 3i +3j, and vector v= 0i + 3j. To calculate the length of vector u and v, we get use ||u||² = u²1 + u² 2 and ||v||² = v²1 + v²2. This gives √18 or 3√2 for vector u, and 3 for vector v.

To calculate the dot product of the two vectors, we use u • v = u 1 v1 + u 2 v2, to get 9. However, from the formula given above, cosθ = (u • v) / (|| u|| ||v||)= 9/(3√2×3)= 9/9√2= 1/√2. At this point, you can use your calculator to find the arccos or cos -¹ of 1/√2.

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M. Klose

M. Klose

M. Klose
M. Klose, Content Writer, Oakland

Answered Aug 12, 2020

Vectors are related to math, and unlike simple shapes, they use unique formulas to find the length. The steps to find the angle between two vectors are as follows:

•First, write down the cosine formula.

•After this formula is written down; the vector should be identified.

•Then, calculate the length of each vector.

•The next step is to find the dot product for each vector.

•Once the vector, length of each vector, and the dot product are identified, those findings can be put into the formula.

•From there, based on the result from the formula, the angle of the cosine can be found.

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