Next, use the head-to-tail method as for vector addition to obtain the resultant vector R The graphical method of adding vectors A and B involves drawing vectors on a graph and adding them by using the head-to-tail method.

The resultant vector R is defined such that A + B = R . The head-to-tail method of adding vectors involves drawing the first vector on a graph and then placing the tail of each subsequent vector at the head of the previous vector.

head-to-tail method — a method of adding vectors in which the tail of each vector is placed at the head of the previous vector. tail — the starting point of a vector; the point opposite to the head or tip of the arrow. graphical method — drawing vectors on a graph to add them using the head-to-tail method. magnitude and direction of R — then determined with a ruler and protractor.

Be able to use the Pythagorean theorem to determine the magnitude, R , of the resultant vector R. R = R x 2 + R y 2; use a trigonometric identity to determine the direction, θ , of R. θ = tan - 1 ( R y / R x ).