Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Vector Addition
Vector addition involves combining two or more vectors to form a resultant vector. In this case, to find v + w, you add the corresponding components of vectors v and w. For example, if v = i - j and w = 3i - 7j, the resultant vector is obtained by adding the i components and the j components separately.
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Dot Product
The dot product (or scalar product) of two vectors is a way to multiply them that results in a scalar. It is calculated by multiplying the corresponding components of the vectors and then summing those products. For vectors u and v, the dot product is given by u ⋅ v = u_x * v_x + u_y * v_y, where u_x and u_y are the components of vector u.
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Component Form of Vectors
Vectors can be expressed in component form, which breaks them down into their horizontal (i) and vertical (j) components. For instance, the vector u = 5i + 2j has a horizontal component of 5 and a vertical component of 2. Understanding this form is essential for performing operations like addition and dot product, as it allows for straightforward manipulation of the vector components.
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