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When two vectors of magnitudes P and Q a...

When two vectors of magnitudes P and Q are inclined at an angle `theta`, the magnitudes of their resultant is 2P. When the inclination is changed to `180^(@)-theta`, the magnitudes of the resultant is halved. Find the ratio of `P` and `Q`.

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To solve the problem, we will use the properties of vectors and the law of cosines. Let's break it down step by step. ### Step 1: Write the equation for the resultant of two vectors at angle θ When two vectors of magnitudes P and Q are inclined at an angle θ, the magnitude of their resultant R can be given by the formula: \[ R^2 = P^2 + Q^2 + 2PQ \cos \theta \] According to the problem, the magnitude of the resultant is 2P. Therefore, we can write: \[ (2P)^2 = P^2 + Q^2 + 2PQ \cos \theta \] This simplifies to: \[ 4P^2 = P^2 + Q^2 + 2PQ \cos \theta \] ### Step 2: Rearranging the equation Now, rearranging the above equation gives us: \[ 4P^2 - P^2 - Q^2 = 2PQ \cos \theta \] This simplifies to: \[ 3P^2 - Q^2 = 2PQ \cos \theta \quad \text{(Equation 1)} \] ### Step 3: Write the equation for the resultant of two vectors at angle 180° - θ When the angle is changed to \(180^\circ - \theta\), the cosine term changes to \(-\cos \theta\). Thus, the resultant R' can be expressed as: \[ R'^2 = P^2 + Q^2 - 2PQ \cos \theta \] According to the problem, the magnitude of the resultant is halved, which means: \[ \left(\frac{2P}{2}\right)^2 = P^2 + Q^2 - 2PQ \cos \theta \] This simplifies to: \[ P^2 = P^2 + Q^2 - 2PQ \cos \theta \] ### Step 4: Rearranging the second equation Rearranging gives us: \[ P^2 - P^2 - Q^2 = -2PQ \cos \theta \] This simplifies to: \[ -Q^2 = -2PQ \cos \theta \] or \[ Q^2 = 2PQ \cos \theta \quad \text{(Equation 2)} \] ### Step 5: Solve the two equations Now we have two equations: 1. \(3P^2 - Q^2 = 2PQ \cos \theta\) (Equation 1) 2. \(Q^2 = 2PQ \cos \theta\) (Equation 2) Substituting Equation 2 into Equation 1: \[ 3P^2 - 2PQ \cos \theta = 2PQ \cos \theta \] This simplifies to: \[ 3P^2 = 4PQ \cos \theta \] ### Step 6: Express Q in terms of P Rearranging gives: \[ Q = \frac{3P^2}{4P \cos \theta} = \frac{3P}{4 \cos \theta} \] ### Step 7: Find the ratio of P and Q Now, we can find the ratio of P to Q: \[ \frac{P}{Q} = \frac{P}{\frac{3P}{4 \cos \theta}} = \frac{4 \cos \theta}{3} \] ### Conclusion Thus, the ratio of P to Q is: \[ \frac{P}{Q} = \frac{4 \cos \theta}{3} \]

To solve the problem, we will use the properties of vectors and the law of cosines. Let's break it down step by step. ### Step 1: Write the equation for the resultant of two vectors at angle θ When two vectors of magnitudes P and Q are inclined at an angle θ, the magnitude of their resultant R can be given by the formula: \[ R^2 = P^2 + Q^2 + 2PQ \cos \theta \] ...
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