Can sum of two equal vectors be equal to either of the vectors

can sum of two equal vectors be equal to either of the vectors

Can the sum of two equal vectors be equal to either of the vectors?

Answer: No, the sum of two equal vectors cannot be equal to either of the vectors themselves. Here’s why:

  1. Understanding Vectors:

    • A vector has both magnitude and direction. When adding vectors, you must take both into account.
  2. Vector Addition:

    • When two vectors are added, their magnitudes are combined according to both their magnitude and direction. If the vectors are equal, they can be represented as \vec{A} and \vec{A}.
  3. Sum of Equal Vectors:

    • Using vector addition, the sum of two equal vectors \vec{A} + \vec{A} is:

      2\vec{A}
    • This result is a new vector with the same direction as \vec{A} but twice its magnitude.

  4. Conclusion:

    • Since 2\vec{A} has a greater magnitude than either of the original vectors \vec{A}, the sum cannot be equal to either \vec{A}.

Summary: The sum of two identical vectors results in a vector with double the magnitude of one vector, so it cannot equal either of the original vectors.