Hey all. I'm a beginner trying to wrap my head around unit vectors.
Let's say the unit vector of v is: (12/√ ̅ 169, 5/√ ̅ 169). That's how I've been shown to represent the answer. I'm having trouble with the fact that this doesn't return a magnitude of 1 unless you square it. You end up with 17/13, if I'm right. (144/169, 25/169) does return a magnitude of 1.
So I guess my question is why is the former used to represent a unit vector if it doesn return a magnitude of 1?
This is, of course, assuming I've understoof the subject correctly. I've no doubt missed something simple. Any help would be appreciated, though.
Let's say the unit vector of v is: (12/√ ̅ 169, 5/√ ̅ 169). That's how I've been shown to represent the answer. I'm having trouble with the fact that this doesn't return a magnitude of 1 unless you square it. You end up with 17/13, if I'm right. (144/169, 25/169) does return a magnitude of 1.
So I guess my question is why is the former used to represent a unit vector if it doesn return a magnitude of 1?
This is, of course, assuming I've understoof the subject correctly. I've no doubt missed something simple. Any help would be appreciated, though.