Question

A vector has a x component of -25 units and a y component of 40 units. What is the direction of the vector in degrees?

Answer 1

First draw components of this vector in a coordinate system.

Answer 2

I did, and online it's saying that I need to take the inverse tangent of (40/-25). But it has to be (40/25)?

Answer 3

\[\theta = \tan^{-1} \frac{ y }{ x }\]

Answer 4

Plug in x and y values and you will get the direction of this vector.