Question

What is the magnitude (size) of 4.3?

A. 0.43, because |4.3| = 0.43
B. 4.3, because |4.3| = 4.3
C. -4.3, because |4.3| = 4.3
D. 4.3, because |4.3| = -4.3

Answer 1

The magnitude of 4.3 is 4.3. This is found by taking the absolute value, which is the distance from zero on a number line. In a vector problem, magnitude can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude (size) of 4.3 is given by its absolute value, which corresponds to option B, because |4.3| = 4.3. The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of its direction (positive or negative). Therefore, the magnitude of 4.3 is 4.3.

Looking at a practice problem, if a vector has an x-component of 4 cm and a y-component of 3 cm, its magnitude can be found using the Pythagorean theorem. The magnitude (or length) of this vector is sqrt((4^2) + (3^2)) = sqrt(16 + 9) = sqrt(25) = 5 cm.

So, for the given practice problem, the correct answer is B. 5 cm.