Could a vector ever be shorter than one of its components? Equal in length to one of its components? Explain.

Question

Terrance Irwin

Physics

7 October, 17:16

Could a vector ever be shorter than one of its components? Equal in length to one of its components? Explain.

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Aaliyah Cardenas · Answer 1

It can never be shorter than a component - magnitude of a vector is the square root of the sum of the components squared, and a square function never produces a negative number. However, it can be the same size as it's component, if that component is the only one.