IXL - Find the magnitude of a vector (Geometry practice)

Find the magnitude of the vector. Write your answer in simplified form.

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Find the magnitude of the vector. Write your answer in simplified form.

key idea

A vector has length and direction. The length is called the

magnitude,

and equals the distance between the initial (starting) point and terminal (ending) point.

is a vector with initial point

(

)

and terminal point

(

)

Its magnitude is the distance between

and

which is 10. The arrow head at

shows its direction.

The distance between the two points

(

)

and

(

)

is given by the distance

formula.

(

–

)

(

–

)

solution

To find the magnitude of the vector, first locate its initial point at the base of the arrow and its terminal point at the tip of the arrow.

Its initial point is

(

)

and its terminal point is

(

)

Since the

-coordinates

of the initial point

(

)

and terminal point

(

)

are the same, the vector is horizontal. So, the magnitude is the absolute value of the difference of the

-coordinates,

which is

–

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Distance formula

$Confetti$

Excellent!

Now entering the Challenge Zone—are you ready?

Questions
answeredQuestions

Time
elapsedTime

hr	min	sec
00	00	06

SmartScore
out of 100
IXL's SmartScore is a dynamic measure of progress towards mastery, rather than a percentage grade. It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions. Consistently answer questions correctly to reach excellence (90), or conquer the Challenge Zone to achieve mastery (100)! Learn more

Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

B.13Distance formula

EE.1Simplify radical expressions

Lesson: Distance formula

Excellent! You got that right!

Jumping to level 1 of 1

Excellent!