a To add the vectors, you can place the tail of one vector at the tip of the other vector and find the resultant vector.
B
b To subtract the vectors, you can place the tail of one vector at the tip of the other vector and find the resultant vector.
A
a The direction of the vector representing the sum is parallel to the two original vectors.
B
b The direction of the vector representing the difference is parallel to the two original vectors.
Practice makes perfect
a Let's consider the two parallel vectors below.
Next, let's add the two vectors. To do that, we will place the tail of b at the tip of a. The resultant vector goes from the tail of a to the tip of b.
Notice that the direction of the vector representing the sum is parallel to the two original vectors.
b Let's consider the same two parallel vectors we drew in Part A.
Next, let's subtract the two vectors. To do that, we will place the tail of b at the tip of a. The resultant vector goes from the tail of a to the tip of b.
As before, the direction of the vector representing the difference is parallel to the two original vectors.
