What are the parallelogram and the polygon methods?

1 Answer
A08
Mar 19, 2016

Parallelogram method is a method for finding sum or resultant of two vectors.
The polygon method is a method for finding sum or resultant of more than two vectors. (Can be used for two vectors also).

Explanation:

Parallelogram method

![hotmath.com](useruploads.socratic.org)

In this method, two vectors vecu and vec v are moved to a common point and drawn to represent two sides of a parallelogram, as shown in the picture. Diagonal of the parallelogram represents sum or resultant of the vecu+vecv

Polygon method

![tutorvista.com](useruploads.socratic.org)

In polygon method of finding the sum or resultant of vectors vecP, vecQ,
vecR, vecS, vecT, are vectors are drawn from head to tail to form an open polygon, as shown. The starting point A is arbitrary. The resultant vector vecR is drawn from the tail of first vector to head of the last vector.
it may so happen that head of the last may end at the tail of first vector, resulting in a closed polygon. In such a case vecR=0 or it is called null vector.

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