Magnitude and Direction of a Vector - Calculator

An online calculator to calculate the magnitude and direction of a vector from it components.

Let v be a vector given in component form by
v = < v1 , v2 >
The magnitude || v || of vector v is given by
|| v || = √(v1 2 + v2 2)
and the direction of vector v is angle ? in standard position such that
tan(?) = v2 / v1 such that 0 ? ? < 2?.

Use of the calculator to Calculate Magnitude and Direction

1 - Enter the components v1 and v2 of vector v as real numbers and press "Calculate Magnitude and Direction". The outputs are the magnitude || v || and direction ? in degrees of vector v.

v1 = , v2 =
Decimal Places =
Magnitude: ||v|| =
Direction: ? = °


Use the calculator of Magnitude and Direction to Answer the Questions

  1. Use the calculator to find the direction of the vectors u = < - 2 , 3 > and v = < - 4 , 6 >. Why are they equal?
  2. Find the direction of the vectors u = < 2 , 5 > and v = < - 2 , - 5 >. Why is the difference between the two directions equal to 180°?
  3. Use the calculator to find the direction of the vectors u = < 2 , 1 > and v = < 1 , 2 >. Why is the sum of the two directions equal to 90°? Find other pairs of vectors whose directions add up to 90°

More References and Links

  1. Find magnitude and direction of vectors
  2. Vector Calculators.
  3. Vector Addition and Scalar Multiplication.