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Vector v has a direction of (-3, 21). Find the direction angle for v.

(1 point)
O 98.1°
O 261.9°
O 81.9°
O 278.1°

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The direction angle of vector v with a direction of (-3, 21) is 98.1°, as it lies in the second quadrant where the angles are determined by adding 180° to the tangent inverse result.

Therefore, the correct answer is: option "98.1°"

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the direction angle of vector v with a direction of (-3, 21), we need to calculate the angle the vector makes with the positive x-axis.

Since the vector has a negative x-component (-3) and a positive y-component (21), it lies in the second quadrant. The angle θ in the second quadrant can be found using the tangent inverse function:

tan(θ) = y / x

tan(θ) = 21 / -3

= -7

θ = tan⁻¹(-7)

The calculator will give a negative angle because the tangent of angles in the second quadrant is negative.

However, the correct angle is found by adding 180° to the calculator's result since angles are positive in the counter-clockwise direction.

Assuming the calculator's inverse tangent function gives us an angle of approximately -81.9°, adding 180°:

θ = -81.9° + 180°

= 98.1°

Therefore, the direction angle of vector v is 98.1°.

User Nick Peranzi
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