1. If the horizontal and vertical components of a force are known
2. its magnitude and direction are found from:

• Magnitude F = √(Fx² + Fy²)
• Angle with the positive x-axis tan θ = Fy ÷ Fx
• When finding the angle we must check the quadrant in which the force lies.
• If both components are positive, the angle lies in the first quadrant, that is between 0° and 90°.

Important note

• The calculator gives an angle in the first quadrant.
• If one of the components is negative, the angle must be adjusted to the quadrant in which the force lies.