How do you find a resultant vector?

The resultant vector is calculated as the sum between two or more vectors. When adding vectors together, their direction and magnitude must be taken into account while calculating the resultant vector.

Vector addition varies depending on the direction of the vectors in respect to each other. Two parallel vectors in the same direction add their magnitudes; if they are in opposite directions, their magnitudes are subtracted. For vectors at an angle to each other, the resultant vector is found by drawing the vectors out head-to-tail. The resultant vector is the tangent that connects the head of the last vector to the tail of the first vector, and its magnitude is calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.