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Vector [tex]$A$[/tex] is 2 units in length and points along the positive [tex]$x$[/tex]-axis. Vector [tex]$B$[/tex] is also 2 units in length and points in a direction [tex]$120^{\circ}$[/tex] from the positive [tex]$x$[/tex]-axis.

What is the magnitude of [tex]$A + B$[/tex]?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. 4


Sagot :

Let's find the magnitude of the resultant vector [tex]\( \mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B} \)[/tex]. Given:

- Length of vector [tex]\( \mathbf{A} \)[/tex], [tex]\( A = 2 \)[/tex] units
- Length of vector [tex]\( \mathbf{B} \)[/tex], [tex]\( B = 2 \)[/tex] units
- The angle between [tex]\( \mathbf{A} \)[/tex] and [tex]\( \mathbf{B} \)[/tex] is [tex]\( 120^\circ \)[/tex]

Here are the steps to solve the problem:

1. Convert the Angle to Radians: The angle given is [tex]\( 120^\circ \)[/tex]. Angles in vectors calculations are generally converted to radians for ease of use.
[tex]\[ \text{Angle in radians} = \frac{120 \times \pi}{180} = \frac{2\pi}{3} \approx 2.0944 \text{ radians} \][/tex]

2. Use the Law of Cosines to find the magnitude of the resultant vector [tex]\( \mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B} \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ C^2 = A^2 + B^2 + 2 \cdot A \cdot B \cdot \cos(\theta) \][/tex]
Where:
- [tex]\( C \)[/tex] is the magnitude of [tex]\( \mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B} \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( A = 2 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( B = 2 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \theta = 120^\circ \)[/tex]

3. Substitute the Values:
[tex]\[ C^2 = 2^2 + 2^2 + 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot \cos(120^\circ) \][/tex]

Now, using [tex]\( \cos(120^\circ) = -0.5 \)[/tex]:

4. Calculate:
[tex]\[ C^2 = 4 + 4 + 2 \cdot 2 \cdot (-0.5) \][/tex]
[tex]\[ C^2 = 4 + 4 - 4 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ C^2 = 4 \][/tex]

5. Find the Magnitude:
[tex]\[ C = \sqrt{4} = 2 \][/tex]

Therefore, the magnitude of [tex]\( \mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B} \)[/tex] is [tex]\( 2 \)[/tex] units.

So, the correct answer is:
c. 2