# Math Help - critical thinking trig problem

1. ## critical thinking trig problem

"There are two and only two vectors acting on a point. The system is in equilibrium. Must the vectors be opposites?" Or, in other words, is the only pair of vectors that can produce equilibrium a pair of opposites?

Thinking about it in terms of geometric addition, it seems like the answer must be yes, but I was hoping someone could verify it for me one way or the other. Thanks.

2. Originally Posted by sinewave85
"There are two and only two vectors acting on a point. The system is in equilibrium. Must the vectors be opposites?" Or, in other words, is the only pair of vectors that can produce equilibrium a pair of opposites?

Thinking about it in terms of geometric addition, it seems like the answer must be yes, but I was hoping someone could verify it for me one way or the other. Thanks.
I would of thought so.

RonL

3. Thinking about it analytically you have two vectors a and b. They add to 0. What is b in terms of a?

-Dan