Question

Which two vectors, when subtracted (i.e., when one vector is subtracted from the other), will have the largest magnitude?

Answer 1

Given: Please see the attached image below.

 

To be able to subtract vectors, we can either use the parallelogram method or the triangle method. Take note that the only difference is that alternatively adding vectors A and B, we will instead be adding A and – B. When we ponder of vector subtraction, we must anticipate about it in terms of adding a negative vector. A negative vector has the same magnitude as the original vector, however, it has an opposite direction.

 

So in this problem, the two vectors that will have the largest magnitude are A & F when subtracted (i.e., when one vector is subtracted from the other).