Vector Addition - Interactive Visualization

Explore the geometrical meaning of vector addition using this interactive tool. Vectors are mathematical quantities used to represent concepts such as force or velocity which have both a magnitude and a direction.

Addition of Vectors

If vectors \( \vec{A} \) and \( \vec{B} \) are given by their components as follows:

\[ \vec{A} = \langle u_1 , v_1 \rangle \quad \text{and} \quad \vec{B} = \langle u_2 , v_2 \rangle \]

then the components of vector \( \vec{A} + \vec{B} \) are given by:

\[ \vec{A} + \vec{B} = \langle u_1 + u_2 , v_1 + v_2 \rangle \]

Interactive Vector Addition

Vector Components
Vector A
x:
y:
Vector B
x:
y:
Vector Sum (A + B)
x:
y:
Zoom Controls
Translate Coordinate System
Vector A
Vector B
Vector B (translated)
Vector A + B (sum)

Vector Addition Visualization

Vector Results
Magnitude of A
2.24
Magnitude of B
3.61
Magnitude of A+B
4.47
Angle between A and B
63.4°
How to Use This Tool

The parallelogram method shows how vector addition works geometrically: place the tail of vector B at the head of vector A, then draw the vector from the tail of A to the head of B.