Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
The head-to-tail method is a graphical technique used to add or subtract vectors. It involves placing the tail of one vector at the head of another vector and drawing a line from the tail of the first vector to the head of the second vector.
Related terms
Vector Addition: The process of combining two or more vectors to obtain their resultant vector.
Resultant Vector: The single vector that represents the combined effect of multiple vectors.
Vector Components: The individual parts (usually horizontal and vertical) into which a vector can be broken down for easier analysis or calculation.