Vectors a, b.
|a-b|
I'm not sure what the first step is. Am I finding the difference in the vectors?

Question

Vectors a, b. 
|a-b|
I'm not sure what the first step is. Am I finding the difference in the vectors?

anonymous · Answer

If you have the vectors numerically, yes subtract b from a.
Then the magnitude of the vector (the two lines) is given by the square root of the sum of the squares of each component.
So if a-b came out as (3, 4, 12) , you'd get
$$|a-b| = \sqrt{3^2+4^2+12^2} = \sqrt{169}=13$$
Hope that makes sense!

anonymous · Answer

I think that does make sense... Let me try it.  Thank you for such a detailed response!!

anonymous · Answer

Vectors a= <5, -12>, b= <-3,-6> The answer should be 10, according to the book. Could you walk me through solving the problem?

anonymous · Answer

Nevermind~ I just went over a third time and found a mathematical error.  The computation makes sense.  Thanks again!

anonymous · Answer

Sorry I didn't see you had responded. Glad you got it!