Final answer:
The Pythagorean theorem can be used to calculate the length of the resultant vector obtained from the addition of two vectors that are at right angles to each other.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pythagorean theorem can be used to calculate the length of the resultant vector obtained from the addition of two vectors that are at right angles to each other. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. In this case, the two vectors are the other two sides of the right triangle, and the resultant vector is the hypotenuse.
For example, if vector A has a length of 3 units and vector B has a length of 4 units, and they are at right angles to each other, we can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of the resultant vector:
- Calculate the squares of the lengths of vector A and vector B:
- A^2 = 3^2 = 9
- B^2 = 4^2 = 16
- Add the squares of the lengths of vector A and vector B:
- A^2 + B^2 = 9 + 16 = 25
- Take the square root of the sum:
- Square root of 25 = 5
Therefore, the length of the resultant vector is 5 units.