Resolutes

[fredrick]

I dont understand what a scalar resolute is i mena whats the point of it? am i missing something?

[Mao]

the magnitude of the vector resolute

[polky]

Ok, so instead of memorising separate formulas for vector and scalar resolutes, can I just find the vector resolute and then find the magnitude of that?  So I only need one formula xD

[fredrick]

Right why cant they just say magnitude..

[riadnicolas]

i dont get this whole concept to well, can anyone direct me to notes or sumthing to help me out

[bturville]

For two vectors u and v, (with v being the hypotenuse vector of a triangle, and u being the base):

(ûv)û is the vector resolute, while ûv is the scalar resolute, being the magnitude. This is the vector resolute of v parallel to u btw.

 I haven't done this shit in ages, sorry if thats wrong and/or confusing.

[ell]

Ok, so instead of memorising separate formulas for vector and scalar resolutes, can I just find the vector resolute and then find the magnitude of that?  So I only need one formula xD

Well you would find the scalar resolute in the process of finding the vector resolute anyway

[fredrick]

[IMG]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2971/vecdq5.png[/img]
[IMG]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/vecdq5.png/1/w287.png[/img]

Lets say we have 2 vectors and , to find the vector resolute of in the direction of you just apply the formula . (just breaking the vector into components)This will give us another vector that is on the same line as and i will denoted it as in the image. Now you can see in the image that . Essentially when they say find the vector resolute of perpendicular to you are finding in that image.
The thing i didnt understand was what is meant by the scalar resolute of in the direction of but now i understand that to be the magnitude..

Hope that helped