SOLUTION: Hello, I do not understand completely how to find the direction of vectors. I understand that you are suppose to use this formula: θ=arctan(y/x). What I don't understand is

Question 755269: Hello,
I do not understand completely how to find the direction of vectors. I understand that you are suppose to use this formula: θ=arctan(y/x). What I don't understand is what to do if you have negative y's and/or x's, and how to solve for the different quadrants. My problem that I am really confused on is this one:
What is the magnitude and direction angle of the vector <2,-sqrt(3)>?
Here is how I tried to solve it:
Magnitude =
Magnitude =
Magnitude = =
Direction angle = arctan(y/x)
=
How would I finish solving this? Do I include the negative sign for all vectors?
Thanks!

Answer by KMST(5328) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Think of your vector as the arrow from point O to point A:

Point A is in the fourth quadrant.
It is at a distance from O.
The coordinates of A are

Your direction angle is

The angle does not help you figure out the quadrant because <-2,sqrt(3)> would give you the same angle.
The signs of {{x}}} and tell you the quadrant.
<(2,-sqrt(3)> and <(-2,sqrt(3)> are mirror images of each other.
<(-2,sqrt(3)> forms a with the positive x-axis.
RELATED QUESTIONS
This question I do not understand: Explain how to use addition to find the product of... (answered by nerdybill)

Hello, I need help with (5+3i) - (3-5i) + square root -1 can you please show me to do (answered by jim_thompson5910)

This is my second and last question. This is not in a textbook. a.)Let T be a linear... (answered by venugopalramana)

Rewrite the middle term as the sum of two terms and then factor completely: 15x^2 +... (answered by checkley75)

Hello, I am working through my application of derivatives assignment and have come across (answered by rothauserc)

Thank you for your quick response. I understood your direction; however I am still... (answered by stanbon)

I am completely lost.........I need to use my states unemployment rate (the most current... (answered by drk)

In the past, I have had questions asking what the restrictions are to the domain and... (answered by fcabanski)

can you please help me with this problem. I do not understand how to do this.... (answered by checkley71,stanbon)

SOLUTION: Hello, I do not understand completely how to find the direction of vectors. I understand that you are suppose to use this formula: &#952;=arctan(y/x). What I don't understand is

SOLUTION: Hello, I do not understand completely how to find the direction of vectors. I understand that you are suppose to use this formula: θ=arctan(y/x). What I don't understand is