Calculate, correct to the nearest degree, the angle between the vectors \(\begin{pmatrix} 13 \\ 1

FURTHER MATHEMATICS
WAEC 2009

Calculate, correct to the nearest degree, the angle between the vectors \(\begin{pmatrix} 13 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\) and \(\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix}\).

  • A. 58°
  • B. 72°
  • C. 74°
  • D. 87°

Correct Answer: B. 72°

Explanation

\(a . b = |a||b| \cos \theta\)

\(\begin{pmatrix} 13 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}. \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} = 13 \times 1 + 1 \times 4 = 13 + 4 = 17\)

\(17 = (\sqrt{13^{2} + 1^{2}})(\sqrt{1^{2} + 4^{2}}) \cos \theta\)

\(17 = (\sqrt{170})(\sqrt{17}) \cos \theta\)

\(\cos \theta = \frac{17}{17\sqrt{10}} = \frac{\sqrt{10}}{10} = 0.3162\)

\(\theta = \cos^{-1} 0.3162 = 72°\)



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