How do you give the complex number form of the vector with the given initial and terminal point respectively (-2, 5) and (1, 3)?

1 Answer
Neefgi
Jun 5, 2018

<3i, -2j>

Explanation:

Assuming that we are given P(-2, 5) and Q(1, 3), we can use the following formula to calculate the commonly used "i and j form" of the vector:

< (x_2-x_1)i, (y_2-y_1)j >

Notice it's very similar to the slope formula, but written in point notation and using "<" instead of parentheses.

Now let's solve:

< 1-(-2),3-5 >
< 1+2,3-5 >
<3i, -2j>

Should you want to go on to find the magnitude of the vector, you would use the formula sqrt((a)^2 + (b)^2), with a representing i and b representing j, but those are for more intricate problems.

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