Vector [tex]\( j \)[/tex] represents 1 mile per hour north. According to her GPS, at a particular instant, Tia is biking [tex]\( 30^{\circ} \)[/tex] west of north at 16 miles per hour. One of the following vectors represents Tia's velocity, in miles per hour, at that instant. Which one?

A. [tex]\( -8 i -8 \sqrt{3} j \)[/tex]

B. [tex]\( -8 i +8 \sqrt{3} j \)[/tex]

C. [tex]\( 8 i +8 \sqrt{3} j \)[/tex]

D. [tex]\( 8 \sqrt{3} i -8 j \)[/tex]

E. [tex]\( 8 \sqrt{3} i +8 j \)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine Tia's velocity in vector form, we first note that she is traveling at a speed of 16 miles per hour at an angle of [tex]\(30^\circ\)[/tex] west of north.

1. Convert the Angle:
- Since Tia's direction is [tex]\(30^\circ\)[/tex] west of north, we can consider the angle relative to the north direction.
- The north direction is typically represented by the positive [tex]\(j\)[/tex] direction (the y-axis), and west would be in the negative [tex]\(i\)[/tex] direction (the x-axis).

2. Calculate the Components of the Velocity Vector:
- We break down the velocity into its components using trigonometry. Specifically, we use sine and cosine for the angle relative to the north direction.

3. Velocity in the North (y) Direction:
- The northward component (y-component) is given by the cosine of the angle times the speed because it is adjacent to the angle.
- So, this component is [tex]\( vy = 16 \cdot \cos(30^\circ) \)[/tex].

4. Velocity in the West (x) Direction:
- The westward component (x-component) is given by the sine of the angle times the speed because it is opposite to the angle. Note that this direction is negative in the standard Cartesian plane.
- So, this component is [tex]\( vx = -16 \cdot \sin(30^\circ) \)[/tex].

5. Values of Sine and Cosine for [tex]\(30^\circ\)[/tex]:
- [tex]\(\sin(30^\circ) = \frac{1}{2}\)[/tex]
- [tex]\(\cos(30^\circ) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\)[/tex]

6. Calculate the Components:
- [tex]\( vx = -16 \cdot \frac{1}{2} = -8 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( vy = 16 \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 8\sqrt{3} \)[/tex]

7. Combine into a Velocity Vector:
- The vector representing Tia's velocity is therefore [tex]\( \vec{v} = -8i + 8\sqrt{3}j \)[/tex].

Hence, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ B. \, -8i + 8\sqrt{3}j \][/tex]

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