In this presentation students will learn how to solve a vector addition problem for vectors at right angles.

A Typical problem reads: A boat travels 30 meters per second due west in a current that flows south at 40 meters per second. What is the resultant velocity?"

1. First step is create a mental image, identify the quantities, and assign each quantity a variable to represent it.
In this case the Boat speed is Vector AB as it goes from point A to point B.
The River Speed is Vector BC as it flows from point B to point C.
The resultant is the Vector AC, and this is what the boat does when viewed from shore.

2. Sketch a compass rose to help with the vector directions. From here you can sketch in your individual vectors.
When sketching the vectors always employ the tip to tail method.
Start with the first vector at the origin of the compass rose. Sketch the vector relative size and in correct direction from the origin.

Draw the second vector from the tip (pointy part) of the first vector. Draw the magnitude relative size and in correct direction.

In this example, we draw the boat's velocity first (in yellow). Next, we draw the water's velocity (in blue) from the pointy part of the yellow vector.

3. Sketch and label the resultant from the tail of the first vector (the boat's velocity) to the tip (pointy part) of the second vector (the water's velocity).
It is helpful to to draw the resultant in a different color(red).