Question

Vector u has its initial point at (1, -12) and its terminal point at (18, 6). Vector v points in a direction opposite that of u, and its magnitude is three times the magnitude of u. What is the component form of vector v?

Answer 1

First compute the component form of vector u by subtracting its initial values from terminal values. 18-1=17, 6-(-12)=18. So u=(17, 18). Since v points in the opposite direction, and has a magnitude three times that of u, we multuply the u by -3 and get v=(-3*17, -3*18)=(-51, -54).