Terminal point

Definition

The terminal point is the ending point of a vector, typically represented in coordinate form. It indicates the final position after moving from the initial point according to the vector's direction and magnitude.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The terminal point can be found by adding the vector components to the initial point coordinates.
2. In trigonometry, if you have an angle and a magnitude, you can use sine and cosine to determine the terminal point in a unit circle.
3. The distance between the initial and terminal points of a vector represents its magnitude.
4. If given in polar coordinates, converting to Cartesian coordinates can help identify the terminal point.
5. Knowing how to find the terminal points is crucial for solving problems involving vector addition and scalar multiplication.

Review Questions

• How do you calculate the terminal point given an initial point and a vector?
• $What are the Cartesian coordinates of the terminal point for a vector with magnitude $r$ at an angle $\theta$?$
• Why is it important to understand how to find the terminal point when working with vectors?

Related terms

Initial Point: The starting point of a vector, often represented in coordinate form.

Magnitude: A measure of the length or size of a vector, often calculated using Euclidean distance.

Vector Addition: The process of combining two or more vectors to produce their resultant sum.