Components of vectors

Any vector can be split into perpendicular components, which turns two-dimensional problems into two one-dimensional ones.

• Horizontal component: Fx = F·cos θ. Vertical component: Fy = F·sin θ.
• Add all x-components and all y-components separately.
• Recombine with Pythagoras and tan θ for the resultant.
• Components are especially useful on inclines, where axes are tilted along the slope.

• Component — the effective part of a vector along an axis.