Calculus II For Dummies
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You can add and subtract vectors on a graph by beginning one vector at the endpoint of another vector. You add and subtract vectors component by component, as follows:

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When you add or subtract two vectors, the result is a vector.

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Geometrically speaking, the net effects of vector addition and subtraction are shown here. In this example, the endpoint of r + s is equivalent to the endpoint of s when s begins at the endpoint of r. Similarly, the endpoint of rs is equivalent to the endpoint of –s — that is,

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Mark Zegarelli, a math tutor and writer with 25 years of professional experience, delights in making technical information crystal clear — and fun — for average readers. He is the author of Logic For Dummies and Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies.

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