V E C T O R O P E R AT I O N I N

Analytical & Graphical

Method
Group 2

Bedar, Katrina D.
Dejucos, Nicole R.
Galang, Cecilia P.
Narciso, Desiree France V.
3.2 SCALARS VS. VECTORS
• A scalar is a quantity that is sufficiently
defined by simply stating a magnitude.

• In contrast, a vector is not fully defined by

stating only a magnitude.

• Indicating the direction of the quantity is

also required.

• Vectors are denoted by boldface type (v).

3.3 Graphical Vector Analysis

• Graphical analysis uses scaled

lines at specific angles.
• CAD's precise geometric
constructions have allowed precise
application of graphical
techniques.
3.4 DRAFTING TECHNIQUES REQUIRED
IN GRAPHICAL VECTOR ANALYSIS
• Graphical mechanism and vector analysis are
identical.
• Drafting requires fine lines and circular arcs for

accuracy.
• So, keep drawing tools sharp.
• Lines must be drawn to scale, and linear
measurements must be accurate. Using a 50-part
engineering scale is recommended.
3.5 CAD KNOWLEDGE
REQUIRED IN Using drafting equipment or CAD, graphical
mechanism and vector analysis are identical. CAD
GRAPHICAL VECTOR improves accuracy. Graphical vector analysis requires
limited CAD skills. CAD is preferred and shouldn't
ANALYSIS require a large "learning curve" investment. Vector
analysis uses precise lengths and angles to draw lines
graphically. Vector analysis requires CAD skills.
 3.6 TRIGONOMETRY
REQUIRED IN
ANALYTICAL VECTOR
ANALYSIS
Trigonometry is the study of the properties of triangles. The first
type of triangle examined is the right triangle.
3.6.1 Right Triangle
The basic trigonometric functions apply only to right triangles.
3.6.2 Oblique Triangle
Figure 3.5 shows a general triangle. Again, a, b, and c denote the length
of the sides and <A, <B, and <C represent the interior angles.
3.7 Vector
• Throughout the analysis of mechanisms, vector quantities
must be manipulated in different ways.

Manipulation • In a similar manner to scalar quantities, vectors can be

added and subtracted. However, unlike scalar quantities,
these are not simply algebraic operations. Because it is
also required to define a vector and direction must be
accounted for during mathematical operations.

• The direction of a vector is just as important as the

magnitude. During vector addition 1+1, does not always
equal 2; it depends on the direction of the individual
vectors.
3.8 Graphical Vector
Addition (+ >)
Is an operation that determines the net effect
of vectors.

The second vector is

The tail of the first vector is The process then is repeated
relocated so that its tail is
designated as the origin (point for all remaining vectors.
placed on the tip of the first
O).
vector.
3.8 Graphical Vector
Addition (+ >)

This technique is known as the tip-to-tail

method of vector addition. The combined effect
is the vector that extends from the tail of the
first vector in the series to the tip of the last
vector in the series.
Mathematically, an equation can be written that represents the combined effect
of vectors:

R = A +> B +> C +> D +> ...

Vector R is a common notation used to represent the resultant of a series of

vectors. The resultant vector is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the tip
of the last vector. Also note that the symbol + > is used to identify vector
addition and to differentiate it from algebraic addition.

The process of combining vectors can be completed graphically, using either manual drawing techniques or
CAD software. Whatever method is used, the underlying concepts are identical.
Sample Problem

Graphically determine the combined effect of velocity vectors A and B, as

shown in the Figure.
3.9 Analytical Vector Addition
(+ >): Triangle Method

• Two analytical methods can be used to determine the net effect of

vectors.
• The first method is best suited when the resultant of only two
vectors is required. Here, the length of the third side and a reference
angle must be determined through the laws of sines and cosines to
fully define the resultant vector.
Sample Problem

Analytically determine the resultant of two acceleration vectors as shown in the

Figure.
3.10 Components of a The tail of the horizontal vector is placed at the tail of the original, and
the tip of the vertical vector is placed at the tip of the original vector.

Vector
• The second method for analytically determining the
resultant of vectors is best suited for problems where more
than two vectors are to be combined.

• Resolution of a vector is the reverse of combining vectors.

A single vector can be broken into two separate vectors, Notice that the magnitude of the components can be found from
along convenient directions. determining the sides of the triangles shown in the Figure. These
triangles are always right triangles. Standard notation consists of
defining horizontal vectors directed toward the right as positive. All
vertical vectors directed upward are also defined as positive.
3.10 Components of a The magnitude of the two components can be computed from the basic
trigonometric relations as:

Vector
• An alternative method to determine the rectangular
components of a vector is to identify the vector’s angle
with the positive x-axis of a conventional Cartesian
For example, a vector that points into the second quadrant of a
coordinate system. This angle is designated as .
conventional Cartesian coordinate system have an angle between 90°
and 180°. The cosine of such an angle results in a negative value, and
the sine results in a positive value. The equations imply that the
horizontal component is negative and the vertical component is
positive.
Sample Problem
A force, F, of 3.5 kN is shown in the Figure. Using the analytical triangle
method, determine the horizontal and vertical components of this force.
 3.11 Analytical Vector Addition
(+>): Component Method

• Best suited when more than two vectors need to be combined.

• Method involves resolving each individual vector into horizontal and vertical components.
• Standard to use the algebraic sign convention for the components.
• All horizontal components may then be added into a single vector component. This component
represents the net horizontal effect of the series of vectors.
• The component magnitudes can be simply added together because they all lay in the same
direction. These components are treated as scalar quantities.
• A positive or negative sign is used to denote the sense of the component. This concept can be

summarized in the following equation:

• All vertical components may be added together into a single vector component. This

component represents the net vertical effect of the series of vectors:

Two net components may then be added This resultant is the combined
vectorially into a resultant. Trigonometric effect of the entire series of
relationships can be used to produce the
vectors. This procedure can be
following equations:
conducted most efficiently when
the computations are arranged in
a table.
Sample Problem
Three forces act on a hook as shown in Figure 3.17. Using
the analytical component method, determine the net effect
of these forces.
• Use x-axis, Angle Method to Determine Resultant Components.
2. Combine the Resultant Components.
Vector Subtraction (–>):
The symbol denotes vector subtraction, which differentiates it from algebraic
subtraction.

Subtracting vectors is accomplished in a manner similar to adding them. subtraction

adds the negative, or opposite, of the vector to be subtracted.

The negative of a vector is equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction.

Figure 3.20 illustrates a
vector A and its negative, ->
A:

Whether a graphical or analytical method

is used, a vector diagram should be
drawn to understand the procedure.
Consider a general problem where vector
B must be subtracted from A.
This subtraction can be accomplished by first drawing the negative of vector B, as shown in
figure 3.21b. Then, vector -> B can be added to vector A, as shown in Figure 3.21c. This
subtraction can be stated mathematically as:

This expression is identical to the subtraction of scalar quantities through basic algebraic
methods.

The outcome of the vector subtraction has been designated J.

The notation R is typically reserved to represent the result of vector addition.

Figure 3.21d shows the same vector subtraction result by placing vector B onto vector A, but
opposite to the tip-to-tail orientation. This method is usually preferred after some confidence
has been established because it eliminates the need to redraw a negative vector.

Vectors are added in a tip-to-tail format whereas they are subtracted in a tip-to-tip format.
 Graphical Vector Subtraction ( –>)

To graphically The process of

Vector subtract vectors, subtracting vectors can Whatever method is
subtraction they are relocated to be completed used, the underlying
graphically, using either
closely parallels scale to form a tip- concepts are
manual drawing
vector addition. to-tip vector techniques or CAD
identical.
diagram. software.
Sample Problem
Graphically determine the result of subtracting the velocity vector B from,

as shown in Figure 3.22.

 Construct the Vector Measure the Result
1 Diagram 2 or idea

The resultant extends from the tail of A,

the origin, to the tail of B. The length
vector J is measured as 56.8 in./s. The
direction is also required to fully define
the vector J. The angle from the
horizontal to vector J is measured as 99°.
 Analytical Vector Subtraction ( –>):
Triangle Method
As in analytically adding vectors, the triangle method is best
suited for the manipulation of only two vectors. The triangle
laws can be used to determine the result of vector subtraction.
Sample Problem
Analytically determine the result of the vectors shown in Figure 3.26
 1. Sketch a Rough Vector Diagram

4. Determine the Direction of the Result

5. Fully Specify the Result

2. Determine an Internal Angle

3. Determine the Magnitude of the Result

Analytical Vector Subtraction ( –>):
Component Method
The component method can be best used to analytically determine the result of the subtraction of a
series of vectors.
Consider the general problem of vector subtraction defined by the following equation:

A sign convention to denote the sense of the component is required.

The convention that was used in “Components of a Vector” designated components that point
either to the right or upward with a positive algebraic sign.
 The individual components can be algebraically combined by addition or subtraction. The
horizontal and vertical components of the result can be written as follows:

The components of C are subtracted from all the other components. This is consistent with the
desired vector subtraction.

The two result components may then be combined vectorially into a resultant using the equations:

This resultant is the result of the vector manipulation of the entire series of vectors.

The procedure can be conducted most efficiently when the computations are arranged in a table.
Sample Problem
Analytically determine the result for the velocity vectors shown in Figure 3.28
 1. Sketch a Rough Vector Diagram

2. Use x-axis, Angle Method to Determine Components.

3. Determine the Components of the Solution

4. Combine the Components of the Solution

3.16 Vector Equations
Vector equations can be manipulated in the same
way that algebraic equations can. By modifying
their signs, the terms can be transposed.

A + > B -> C = D

A+>B=C+>D
3.17 Application of Vector Equations

Each vector in an equation

represents two quantities: a
magnitude and a direction.
Navigating by air
3.18 Graphical Determination of Vector
Magnitudes
To solve this problem graphically, place the known
vectors on each side of the equation tip-to-tail (or
tip-to-tip if the vectors are subtracted) from a
common origin.
Example:
• Rewrite Vector Equations

First, the equation is rewritten so that the unknown

magnitudes appear as the last term on each side of
the equation.

B+>C+>A=D+>E
• Place All Fully Known Vectors into the Diagram

Vectors B and C can be drawn

tip-to-tail by using point as the
common origin. Vector D should
be drawn from the origin
because it is on the opposite side
of the equation.
3.19 Analytical Determination of Vector
Magnitudes
The desired results are obtained by simultaneously solving the two equations. When either of the
determined magnitudes has a negative sign, the result indicates that the vector's assumed sense was
incorrect. As a result, the determined magnitude and opposite sense fully define the unknown
vector. The following example problem demonstrates this method.
Thank You!
 ACTIVITY
• Graphically determine the combined effect of force vectors A, B, C, and D, as shown in the
Figure.

Determine the angle, , and the length, s , of the two identical support links in the Figure when x
= 150mm and y = 275mm.