Vectors degrees or radians

9

I was just wondering for vectors are the angles in degrees or radians. In the as edexcel book they were in degrees but now we know about radians should we give our ans in radians or is that only for 3d vector angles?

Reply 1

mqb2766

21

Original post

by username79352

I was just wondering for vectors are the angles in degrees or radians. In the as edexcel book they were in degrees but now we know about radians should we give our ans in radians or is that only for 3d vector angles?

Not sure there is a definitive answer, but as you should be doing for every question, check for any units or ranges/domains given in the question. From a fairly hazy memory, Id probably expect degrees, but wouldnt be surprised if a question used radians. Id doubt the 2/3d would have any bearing on it.

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 2

MaxAOC

5

Original post

by username79352

I was just wondering for vectors are the angles in degrees or radians. In the as edexcel book they were in degrees but now we know about radians should we give our ans in radians or is that only for 3d vector angles?

You can use either. Use whatever is implied by the question.

The only rule is when differentiating or integrating trig functions, you have to be in radians, since small angle approximations are used.

Reply 3

username79352

OP

9

I get that but sometimes like in numerical methods they don’t really make it clear and there isn’t a pi sign or anything but the textbook gave answers in radians so that’s why it kind of threw me off a bit. Thank you though!

Vectors degrees or radians

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