MATHEMATICS

LESSON NOTE

Vectors · Vectorial Mechanics

Impulsive Motion · Coordinate Geometry

Topics Covered:
Differentiation and Integration of Vectors
Rectilinear Motion, Geometry & Kinematics
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
Lines, Circles, Conics: Ellipse, Hyperbola, Parabola

Prepared by the Mathematics Department

Academic Session 2025/2026
Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

0 1 Contents

1 Differentiation and Integration of Vectors 2

1.1 Review: Vectors and Vector Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Differentiation of Vectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2.1 Rules of Vector Differentiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2.2 Unit Tangent Vector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Integration of Vectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Vectorial Mechanics: Rectilinear Motion, Geometry and Kinematics 5

2.1 Position, Velocity and Acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Rectilinear (Straight-Line) Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Application to Geometry: Arc Length and Curvature . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.1 Arc Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.2 Curvature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4 Kinematics: Projectile Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3 Impulsive Motion: Elastic and Inelastic Collisions 8

3.1 Impulse and Momentum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.2 Conservation of Linear Momentum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.3 Coefficient of Restitution (Newton’s Law) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.4 Types of Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.4.1 Perfectly Elastic Collision (e = 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.4.2 Perfectly Inelastic Collision (e = 0) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.4.3 Partially Elastic Collision (0 < e < 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.5 Energy Lost in a Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4 Coordinate Geometry 11
4.1 Cartesian Coordinates and the Distance Formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.2 Equations of a Straight Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3 The Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.4 The Ellipse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.5 The Hyperbola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.6 The Parabola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.7 Summary: Conics at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Selected Answers to Exercises 16

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

1 1 Differentia
and Integration of Vectors
1.1. 1Review: Vectors and Vector Functions

A vector is a quantity having both magnitude and direction. It is written in bold

type, e.g. r, or with an arrow, ⃗r.
A vector function (or vector-valued function) r(t) assigns a vector to each scalar
t:
r(t) = x(t) ı̂ + y(t) ȷ̂ + z(t) k̂,
where x(t), y(t), z(t) are real-valued (scalar) functions of t.

Here ı̂, ȷ̂, k̂ are the standard unit vectors along the x-, y-, and z-axes respectively.

1.2. 1Differentiation of Vectors

The derivative of a vector function r(t) with respect to t is

dr r(t + ∆t) − r(t)

ṙ(t) = = lim .
dt ∆t→0 ∆t
Component-wise differentiation gives

dr
= ẋ(t) ı̂ + ẏ(t) ȷ̂ + ż(t) k̂.
dt

1.2.1. 1Rules of Vector Differentiation

Let u(t), v(t) be differentiable vector functions and ϕ(t) a differentiable scalar. Then:

d 
u + v = u̇ + v̇ (sum rule) (1)
dt
d 
ϕ u = ϕ̇ u + ϕ u̇ (scalar multiple) (2)
dt
d 
u · v = u̇ · v + u · v̇ (dot-product rule) (3)
dt
d 
u × v = u̇ × v + u × v̇ (cross-product rule) (4)
dt

Note
Order matters in the cross-product rule: u̇ × v ̸= v × u̇ in general.

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

Example 1. Given r(t) = t2 ı̂ + sin t ȷ̂ + et k̂, find ṙ(t) and r̈(t).

Solution.
ṙ(t) = 2t ı̂ + cos t ȷ̂ + et k̂
r̈(t) = 2 ı̂ − sin t ȷ̂ + et k̂

Example 2. If u(t) = t ı̂ + t2 ȷ̂ and v(t) = cos t ı̂ + 3t ȷ̂, verify the dot-product rule.
Solution.
u · v = t cos t + 3t3
d
[u · v] = cos t − t sin t + 9t2
dt
Also: u̇ = ı̂ + 2t ȷ̂, v̇ = − sin t ı̂ + 3 ȷ̂

u̇ · v + u · v̇ = (cos t + 6t2 ) + (−t sin t + 3t2 ) = cos t − t sin t + 9t2 ✓

1.2.2. 1Unit Tangent Vector

If r(t) traces a curve, the unit tangent vector is

ṙ(t)
T (t) =
|ṙ(t)|

1.3. 1Integration of Vectors

The integral of a vector function is performed component-wise:

Z Z  Z  Z 
r(t) dt = x(t) dt ı̂ + y(t) dt ȷ̂ + z(t) dt k̂ + C,

where C = C1 ı̂ + C2 ȷ̂ + C3 k̂ is a constant vector of integration.

Z π
Example 3. Find r(t) dt if r(t) = sin t ı̂ + cos t ȷ̂ + 2t k̂.
0
Solution.
Z π Z π Z π
sin t dt = [− cos t]π0 = 2, cos t dt = [sin t]π0 = 0, 2t dt = [t2 ]π0 = π 2
0 0 0
Z π
∴ r(t) dt = 2 ı̂ + 0 ȷ̂ + π 2 k̂
0

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

Example 4. Given r̈ = 6t ı̂ − 4 ȷ̂ + k̂, with ṙ(0) = ı̂ + 2ȷ̂ and r(0) = 0, find r(t).
Solution.
Z
ṙ(t) = r̈ dt = 3t2 ı̂ − 4t ȷ̂ + t k̂ + C1

ṙ(0) = ı̂ + 2ȷ̂ ⇒ C1 = ı̂ + 2ȷ̂

ṙ(t) = (3t2 + 1)ı̂ + (2 − 4t)ȷ̂ + t k̂
Z
t2
r(t) = ṙ dt = (t3 + t)ı̂ + (2t − 2t2 )ȷ̂ + 2
k̂ + C2

r(0) = 0 ⇒ C2 = 0

t2
r(t) = (t3 + t)ı̂ + (2t − 2t2 )ȷ̂ + 2
k̂

Q1. Differentiate r(t) = 3t3 ı̂ − ln(t) ȷ̂ + tan(t) k̂.

d
Q2. If A(t) = t2 ı̂ + 2t ȷ̂ − k̂ and B(t) = ı̂ − t ȷ̂ + t3 k̂, find [A × B].
dt
Z 1
2t ı̂ + 3t2 ȷ̂ + et k̂ dt.


Q3. Evaluate
0

Q4. Given r̈ = cos t ı̂ − sin t ȷ̂, ṙ(0) = 0, r(0) = ı̂, find r(t).

Q5. If |r(t)| = constant, prove that r · ṙ = 0.

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

2 1 Vectorial
Mechanics: Rectilinear Motion, Geometry and Kinematics
2.1. 1Position, Velocity and Acceleration
In particle mechanics, a particle’s state is fully described by its position vector r(t) relative
to a fixed origin.

Position vector: r(t) = x(t) ı̂ + y(t) ȷ̂ + z(t) k̂

Velocity vector: v(t) = ṙ(t) = ẋ ı̂ + ẏ ȷ̂ + ż k̂
Acceleration vector: a(t) = v̇(t) = r̈(t) = ẍ ı̂ + ÿ ȷ̂ + z̈ k̂
p
Speed (scalar): v = |v| = ẋ2 + ẏ 2 + ż 2 .

2.2. 1Rectilinear (Straight-Line) Motion

In rectilinear motion the particle moves along a straight line (say the x-axis). The vector
equations reduce to:

dx dv dv
v = ẋ =
, a = v̇ = ẍ = =v
dt dt dx
Standard kinematic equations (constant acceleration a):

v = u + at (5)
s = ut + 21 at2 (6)
v 2 = u2 + 2as (7)
s = 21 (u + v)t (8)

where u = initial velocity, v = final velocity, s = displacement, t = time.

Example 5. A particle starts from rest at the origin and moves along the x-axis
with acceleration a(t) = 6t − 2 m/s2 . Find the velocity and position at t = 3 s.
Solution.
Z
v(t) = a dt = 3t2 − 2t + C.

v(0) = 0 ⇒ C = 0, ∴ v(t) = 3t2 − 2t

Z
x(t) = v dt = t3 − t2 + K.

x(0) = 0 ⇒ K = 0, ∴ x(t) = t3 − t2 .
At t = 3: v(3) = 27 − 6 = 21 m/s; x(3) = 27 − 9 = 18 m.

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

Example 6 (Vector form). A particle has position r(t) = (2t2 − t) ı̂ + (t3 − 3t) ȷ̂.
Find the speed at t = 1.
Solution.
v(t) = (4t − 1) ı̂ + (3t2 − 3) ȷ̂
At t = 1: v(1) = 3 ı̂ + 0 ȷ̂, so speed = |v| = 3 m/s.

2.3. 1Application to Geometry: Arc Length and Curvature

2.3.1. 1Arc Length
The length of a curve traced by r(t) from t = a to t = b is:
Z b Z bp
L= |ṙ(t)| dt = ẋ2 + ẏ 2 + ż 2 dt
a a

Example 7. Find the arc length of the helix r(t) = cos t ı̂ + sin t ȷ̂ + t k̂ from t = 0
to t = 2π.
Solution.
p √
ṙ = − sin t ı̂ + cos t ȷ̂ + k̂, |ṙ| = sin2 t + cos2 t + 1 = 2
Z 2π √ √
L= 2 dt = 2π 2
0

2.3.2. 1Curvature
The curvature κ measures how sharply a curve bends:

|ṙ × r̈|
κ=
|ṙ|3

2.4. 1Kinematics: Projectile Motion

A projectile launched at speed u and angle θ above the horizontal (taking g = 9.8 m/s2
downward):
r(t) = (u cos θ) t ı̂ + (u sin θ) t − 21 gt2 ȷ̂
 

u2 sin 2θ u2 sin2 θ 2u sin θ

Range: R = , Max height: H = , Time of flight: T =
g 2g g

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

Example 8. A ball is projected at 20 m/s at 30◦ to the horizontal. Find the range,
maximum height, and time of flight.
Solution. (u = 20, θ = 30◦ , g = 9.8)

2 × 20 × sin 30◦ 20
T = = ≈ 2.04 s
9.8 9.8
400 × sin2 30◦ 400 × 0.25
H= = ≈ 5.10 m
2 × 9.8 19.6
400 × sin 60◦ 400 × 0.866
R= = ≈ 35.4 m
9.8 9.8

Q1. A particle moves with r(t) = (t2 + 1)ı̂ + (2t − t2 )ȷ̂. Find the velocity, speed
and acceleration at t = 2.

Q2. A car starts from rest and moves with acceleration a = (4 − t) m/s2 . Find
the maximum velocity and when the car first returns to the starting point.

Q3. Find the arc length of the curve r(t) = t ı̂ + 32 t3/2 ȷ̂ from t = 0 to t = 4.

Q4. A projectile is launched at 50 m/s at 45◦ . Find R, H, and T .

√
Q5. The position of a particle is r(t) = et ı̂ + e−t ȷ̂ + 2 t k̂. Show that the speed
is constant.

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

3 1 Impulsive
Motion: Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
3.1. 1Impulse and Momentum

The linear momentum of a particle of mass m moving with velocity v is

p = mv.

The impulse of a force F acting over time interval [t1 , t2 ] is

Z t2
J= F dt = ∆p = mv2 − mv1 .
t1

For a constant force, J = F ∆t.

3.2. 1Conservation of Linear Momentum

Theorem 3.1 (Conservation of Momentum). If no external forces act on a system of
particles, the total linear momentum is conserved:
X
mi vi = constant.
i

For a two-body collision:

m1 u1 + m2 u2 = m1 v1 + m2 v2 ,

where ui = velocities before and vi = velocities after.

3.3. 1Coefficient of Restitution (Newton’s Law)

Newton’s Law of Restitution states that for a direct collision:

speed of separation v2 − v1
e= = ,
speed of approach u1 − u2
where 0 ≤ e ≤ 1 is the coefficient of restitution.

3.4. 1Types of Collision

3.4.1. 1Perfectly Elastic Collision (e = 1)
Both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

Post-collision velocities for a 1D elastic collision:

(m1 − m2 )u1 + 2m2 u2 (m2 − m1 )u2 + 2m1 u1
v1 = , v2 = .
m1 + m2 m1 + m2
Special case: equal masses (m1 = m2 ): the particles exchange velocities, v1 =
u2 , v2 = u1 .

3.4.2. 1Perfectly Inelastic Collision (e = 0)

The particles coalesce (stick together) and move with a common velocity V :

(m1 + m2 )V = m1 u1 + m2 u2 .

Maximum kinetic energy is lost.

3.4.3. 1Partially Elastic Collision (0 < e < 1)

Solve simultaneously:
m1 u1 + m2 u2 = m1 v1 + m2 v2 (momentum)
e(u1 − u2 ) = v2 − v1 (restitution)

3.5. 1Energy Lost in a Collision

1 1
∆KE = (m1 u21 + m2 u22 ) − (m1 v12 + m2 v22 )
2 2
m1 m2 (1 − e )(u1 − u2 )2
2
∆KE = ≥0
2(m1 + m2 )

Example 9 (Elastic). A 3 kg ball moving at 8 m/s collides elastically with a

stationary 1 kg ball. Find the velocities after impact.
Solution. (m1 = 3, m2 = 1, u1 = 8, u2 = 0, e = 1)

(3 − 1) · 8 + 2 · 1 · 0 16
v1 = = = 4 m/s
4 4
(1 − 3) · 0 + 2 · 3 · 8 48
v2 = = = 12 m/s
4 4
Check KE: 21 (3)(64) = 96 J before; 21 (3)(16) + 12 (1)(144) = 24 + 72 = 96 J after. ✓

Example
Example 10 (Inelastic). A 5 kg mass at 6 m/s collides with and sticks to a 3 kg
mass at rest. Find the common velocity and energy lost.
Solution.
5×6+3×0 30
V = = = 3.75 m/s
5+3 8

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

1 1
∆KE = (5)(36) − (8)(3.75)2 = 90 − 56.25 = 33.75 J
2 2

Example 11 (Partial). Two spheres of masses 2 kg and 4 kg move towards each

other at 5 m/s and 2 m/s respectively. The coefficient of restitution is 0.5. Find
the velocities after impact.
Solution. Taking rightward as positive: u1 = 5, u2 = −2, e = 0.5.

2(5) + 4(−2) = 2v1 + 4v2 ⇒ 2v1 + 4v2 = 2 · · · (1)

0.5(5 − (−2)) = v2 − v1 ⇒ v2 − v1 = 3.5 · · · (2)

From (2): v2 = v1 + 3.5. Substitute in (1): 2v1 + 4(v1 + 3.5) = 2 ⇒ 6v1 = −12 ⇒
v1 = −2 m/s.
v2 = −2 + 3.5 = 1.5 m/s. (So body 1 reverses; body 2 moves right.)

Q1. A force of 50 N acts on a 10 kg body for 0.4 s. Find the impulse and change
in velocity.

Q2. A 6 kg ball at 9 m/s hits elastically a 2 kg ball at rest. Find the post-collision
velocities.

Q3. A 4 kg block at 7 m/s collides and sticks with a 6 kg block at 1 m/s (same
direction). Find the common velocity and energy lost.

Q4. Two identical balls of mass m collide with e = 0.6; one has speed 10 m/s, the
other is at rest. Find their velocities after collision.

Q5. Prove that the kinetic energy lost in a perfectly inelastic collision of m1 (at
m1 m2 u2
u) with stationary m2 is .
2(m1 + m2 )

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

4 1 Coordinat
Geometry
4.1. 1Cartesian Coordinates and the Distance Formula

A point in the plane is specified by an ordered pair (x, y).

Distance between P1 (x1 , y1 ) and P2 (x2 , y2 ):
p
d = (x2 − x1 )2 + (y2 − y1 )2

Midpoint of P1 P2 :  
x1 + x2 y 1 + y 2
M= ,
2 2
Section formula (dividing P1 P2 in ratio m : n internally):
 
mx2 + nx1 my2 + ny1
,
m+n m+n

4.2. 1Equations of a Straight Line

Form Equation
Slope–intercept y = mx + c (m = slope, c = y-intercept)
Point–slope y − y1 = m(x − x1 )
y − y1 x − x1
Two-point =
y2 − y1 x2 − x1
x y
Intercept form + =1
a b
General form Ax + By + C = 0

Distance from point (x0 , y0 ) to line Ax + By + C = 0:

|Ax0 + By0 + C|
d= √
A2 + B 2
Angle between two lines with slopes m1 , m2 :

m1 − m2
tan θ =
1 + m1 m2

Parallel: m1 = m2 . Perpendicular: m1 m2 = −1.

Example
Example 12. Find the equation of the line through (3, −1) and (5, 4), and the
distance from the origin to this line.

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

Solution.
4 − (−1) 5
m= =
5−3 2
5
y + 1 = (x − 3) ⇒ 5x − 2y − 17 = 0
2
Distance from (0, 0):
√
|5(0) − 2(0) − 17| 17 17 29
d= √ =√ = ≈ 3.16
25 + 4 29 29

4.3. 1The Circle

The standard equation of a circle with centre (h, k) and radius r:

(x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2

The general equation:

x2 + y 2 + 2gx + 2f y + c = 0
p
with centre (−g, −f ) and radius r = g 2 + f 2 − c.

Tangent to x2 + y 2 = r2 at (x1 , y1 ): xx1 + yy1 = r2 .

Example 13. Find the centre and radius of x2 + y 2 − 6x + 4y − 3 = 0.

Solution. Complete the square:

(x2 − 6x + 9) + (y 2 + 4y + 4) = 3 + 9 + 4 = 16

(x − 3)2 + (y + 2)2 = 16
Centre (3, −2), radius r = 4.

4.4. 1The Ellipse

Definition
The standard equation of an ellipse centred at the origin:

x2 y 2
+ 2 =1, a>b>0
a2 b

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

Semi-major axis: a (along x-axis)

Semi-minor axis: b (along y-axis)
Foci: (±c, 0) where c2 = a2 − b2
c
Eccentricity: e= , 0<e<1
a
Vertices: (±a, 0), (0, ±b)

x2 y 2
Example 14. For the ellipse + = 1, find a, b, c, eccentricity, and foci.
√25 9
Solution. a = 5, b = 3, c = 25 − 9 = 4.
4
Eccentricity e = = 0.8. Foci: (±4, 0).
5

4.5. 1The Hyperbola

The standard equations of a hyperbola centred at the origin:

Horizontal transverse axis:
x2 y 2
− 2 =1
a2 b
Vertical transverse axis:
y 2 x2
− 2 =1
a2 b
2 2 2
Key quantities (b = c − a , so c > a):

ˆ Foci: (±c, 0)

ˆ Vertices: (±a, 0)
c
ˆ Eccentricity: e = >1
a
b
ˆ Asymptotes: y = ± x
a

x2 y 2
Example 15. For − = 1, find the foci, vertices, eccentricity, and asymptotes.
16 9 √
Solution. a = 4, b = 3, c = 16 + 9 = 5.
5
Vertices: (±4, 0). Foci: (±5, 0). Eccentricity e = = 1.25.
4
3
Asymptotes: y = ± x.
4

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

4.6. 1The Parabola

Standard forms of the parabola with vertex at the origin:

Equation Opens Focus Directrix

y 2 = 4ax Right (a, 0) x = −a
y 2 = −4ax Left (−a, 0) x=a
x2 = 4ay Up (0, a) y = −a
x2 = −4ay Down (0, −a) y=a

Eccentricity of a parabola: e = 1.

Example 16. Find the focus, directrix, vertex and axis of y 2 = 12x.
Solution. Compare with y 2 = 4ax: 4a = 12 ⇒ a = 3.
Vertex: (0, 0). Focus: (3, 0). Directrix: x = −3. Axis: y = 0 (the x-axis).

Example 17. Find the parabola with focus (0, 2) and directrix y = −2.
Solution. Focus is on the y-axis above the x-axis, so the form is x2 = 4ay with
a = 2.
x2 = 8y

4.7. 1Summary: Conics at a Glance

Conic Standard Eq. Eccentricity Foci c

Circle (x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2 e=0 centre —

x2 y 2
Ellipse + 2 =1 0<e<1 (±c, 0) c2 = a2 − b2
a2 b
2
Parabola y = 4ax e=1 (a, 0) —
2
x y2
Hyperbola − =1 e>1 (±c, 0) c 2 = a2 + b 2
a2 b2
Exercises
Lines & Circles
Q1. Find the equation of the line with slope −2 passing through (4, 3).
Q2. Determine the angle between lines y = 2x + 1 and y = − 31 x + 5.
Q3. Find the centre and radius of x2 + y 2 + 8x − 6y − 11 = 0.
Q4. Find the equation of the tangent to x2 + y 2 = 25 at (−3, 4).
Ellipse & Hyperbola

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

x2 y 2
Q5. For + = 1, find the foci, vertices, and eccentricity.
49 36
y2 x2
Q6. For − = 1, find the foci, vertices and asymptotes.
25 11
Q7. Find the equation of the ellipse with foci (±3, 0) and semi-major axis 5.

Parabola

Q8. Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of y 2 = −8x.

Q9. Find the equation of the parabola with focus (−2, 0) and directrix x = 2.

Q10. An arch has the shape x2 = −20y (vertex at origin, opening downward). Find
the width at a depth of 5 m from the vertex.

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Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

4 1 Selected
Answers to Exercises
1Section 1 — Vectors

1. ṙ = 9t2 ı̂ − 1t ȷ̂ + sec2 t k̂

2. Use cross-product rule component-wise.

3. ı̂ + ȷ̂ + (e − 1)k̂

4. r(t) = (1 − cos t)ı̂ + (sin t − t)ȷ̂ + (ı̂ corrected) ⇒ r = (1 − cos t)ı̂ + sin t ȷ̂

5. Differentiate |r|2 = r · r = c2 to get 2r · ṙ = 0.

1Section 2 — Kinematics
√
1. v(2) = 4ı̂ − 2ȷ̂; speed = 2 5; a = 2ı̂ − 2ȷ̂.

2. Max velocity 8 m/s at t = 4 s; returns at t = 12 s.

26 20 √ R4√ 2
3. L = −2 = ... use |ṙ| = 1 + t, so L = 0 1 + t dt = 3
[(1 + t)3/2 ]40 =
3 3 √
2 2
3
(125/8 − 1) · ... = 3
· (5 5 − 1).
√
100 2 2500 2500
4. T = 9.8
≈ 7.22 s; H = 19.6
≈ 127.6 m; R = 9.8
≈ 255.1 m.
√
5. |v| = e2t + e−2t + 2 = et + e−t . . . Observe |ṙ|2 = e2t + e−2t + 2 = (et + e−t )2 ,
constant only if t = 0; note the statement requires re-checking; the speed is not
constant for this r but magnitude-squared is (et + e−t )2 .

1Section 3 — Collisions
1. Impulse = 20 N·s; ∆v = 2 m/s.

2. v1 = 3 m/s, v2 = 12 m/s.

3. V = 3.4 m/s; ∆KE = 32.4 J.

4. v1 = 2 m/s, v2 = 8 m/s.

1Section 4 — Coordinate Geometry

1. y = −2x + 11 (or 2x + y = 11)
2+ 1 7/3
2. tan θ = | 1− 32 | = 1/3
= 7; θ ≈ 81.9◦ .
3
√
3. Centre (−4, 3), r = 16 + 9 + 11 = 6.

4. −3x + 4y = 25.
√ √ √
5. a = 7, b = 6, c = 13; foci (± 13, 0); e = 713 .
√
6. a = 5, b = 11, c = 6; foci (0, ±6); asymptotes y = ± √511 x.

16
Mathematics Lesson Note Vectors, Mechanics & Coordinate Geometry

x2 y2
7. 25
+ 16
= 1.

8. Vertex (0, 0), focus (−2, 0), directrix x = 2.

9. y 2 = −4x · 2 = −8x ⇒ a = 2; parabola y 2 = −8x.

10. At depth 5: x2 = 20 × 5 = 100, x = ±10; width = 20 m.

End of Lesson Note

Vectors · Vectorial Mechanics · Impulsive Motion · Coordinate
Geometry
“Mathematics is the language in which God has written the
universe.” — Galileo Galilei

17