How do I do vector subtraction?

1 Answer
Gió
Dec 30, 2014

Given two vectors #vecv# and #vecw# you have:
#vecv-vecw=vecv+(-vecw)#

Graphically we can use the Parallelogram Law:
enter image source here

If you have the vectors in components form you again use:
#vecv-vecw=vecv+(-vecw)# operating on each set of corresponding components.

For example:
#vecv=4veci+2vecj-5veck# and:
#vecw=-2veci+4vecj+veck#

#vecv-vecw=vecv+(-vecw)=[4+(2)]veci+[2+(-4)]vecj+[-5+(-1)]veck=#
#=6veci-2vecj-6veck#

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