# Quick vector math question...

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Hey guys, here's an easy one. Here's a scenario based on the above picture, and you'll have to forgive me if my math terminology is lousy. I have a line whose normalized vector coordinates are (-0.894, 0.447). I know that this vector passes through Y at the graph coordinates (0, -8). This vector also passes through X, at the graph coordinates (?, 0). I'm trying to figure out how I get an answer to the question mark! Would any of you guys post a formula I can use to get the question mark answered? Thanks in advance for the help, I really appreciate it!

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The vector describes a direction. Let the components be dx=-0.894, dy=0.447. Starting at a given point P (0, -8), you must add t multiples of dx and dy to get to any other given point Q (?, 0).

So:
Qx = Px + dx * t
Qy = Py + dy * t

You know Px and Py, dx and dy:
Qx = 0 + -0.894 * t = -0.894 * t
Qy = -8 + 0.447 * t

You also know Qy:
0 = -8 + 0.447 * t
8 = 0.447 * t
t = 8 / 0.447

So you can determine Qx:
Qx = -0.894 * 8 / 0.447
Qx = -16

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An easier way might be as follows:

You have point p0 (0, -8) and point p1 (?, 0). The slope of the line that connects these two points is :

(y1 - y0)   (0 - -8)--------- = --------(x1 - x0)   (? -  0)

You already know the slope of your line from the vector (0.447, -0.894), so now just solve for ? below.

(0 - -8)    0.447-------- = ------(? -  0)   -0.894? = -16

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Cool, thanks for the replies!

I can understand Kippesoep's method, because he posted equasions on how to accomplish what he was describing. But I don't understand ascorbic's method at all, and I'd like to know it too... Exactly how did you get -16 out of what you posted? It's been years since I've attended a geometry class, so even something as simple as 'slope' is hazy to me. If you could step though the process like Kippesoep did, then that would be awesome!

Thanks again!

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If you understand the equation (y = mx + b) then this equation pretty much solves itself.

m stands for the slope of the vector you are using. Slope is merely the amount your vector changes in the y direction for every 1 unit your vector changes in the x direction. Maybe not so obviously, but your normalized vector is used to determine the slope.

Change in y = 0.447
Change in x = -0.894

m = Change in y / Change in x = 0.447 / -0.894 = -0.5

Now the equation you need to solve reads y = -0.5x + b

You gave us a point (0, -8) that you know is on the line. This is in the form (x, y). Whenever x=0, the y value is called the y-intercept. This is the same as b in the equation we need to solve for. Now substitute for b.

y = -0.5x + (-8)

The other point you gave was (?, 0). I'm changing ? to f, so (f, 0). Once again in the form (x, y), substitute this into the formula. You get:

0 = -0.5f + (-8)

Now solve for f and you get -16.

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Now THAT makes sense! Thanks for the tutorial, ascorbic. I'll play around with both equasions and see which one works better for me. I'm sure I'll find a use for both ideas.

Thanks again!

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