Very much like in a game of chess , got to have some strategy and know what each piece can do. The x and y component quantities can only move horizontally and vertically. If you have time then you have the best piece in your game because it can go diagonally. Therefore always try to find time as it is the most versatile information without direction. Use time to find the quantity that is required. The quantites obtained are in component form and therefore needs to be added using phythagoras theorem to find the resultant magnitude and tan angle to find the resultant direction of either velocity or displacement.
very detail account by eiu
