Vec01 Number plus angle and components
In vector problems it is important to know how to switch from number plus angle form (of the vector) to component form (of the vector). This involves right angle trigonometry as illustrated with the drawing of a vector of magnitude A at an angle, measured counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

These are all the relationships necessary to convert vectors from number plus angle to components or vice versa. Negative numbers add a complication that requires only attention to detail.
Write these relationships on a 3 x 5 card (a convenient bookmark) and review them every time you do a vector problem until they become second nature to you.
Copyright © Robert M. Oman 2004