Vectors and scalars

B The magnitude of a vector

C Operations with plane vectors
D The vector between two points
E Parallelism
F' Lines
Constant velocity problems
 A bird starts flying towards its nest, which is 40 lan to the east
and 30 lan to the north. The bird is flying at 20 km h- 1 .
Things to think about:
How can we use an affay of numbers to represent the
speed and direction of the bird?
On what bearing is the bird travelling?
Can you describe the position of the bird, relative to its
starting position, after t hours of flying?
How long will the bird take to reach its nest?

S,AND SCALARS
In the Opening Problem, the motion of the bird is determined by both its speed and its direction.

Quantities which have only magnitude are called scalars.

Quantities which have both magnitude and direction are called vectors.

The speed of the bird is a scalar. It describes how fast the bird is flying.
The velocity of the bird is a vector. It includes both its speed and also its direction.
Other examples of vector quantities are:
• acceleration • force • displacement • momentum

From previous courses, you should have seen how we can represent a vector quantity using a directed
line segment or arrow. The length of the arrow represents the size or magnitude of the quantity, and the
arrowhead shows its direction.

POSITION VECTORS
Consider the vector from the origin 0 to the point A. We call this the position vector of point A.

• The position vector of A can be represented by

A --+ ----+
OA or a or a.
t
bold used in textbooks used by students
0 • The magnitude or length of a can be represented by
--+
IOA I or OA or Ia I or I --+
a I·

Now consider the vector from point A to point B. We say that:

---'>
B 111 AB is the vector which originates at A and
terminates at B
---'>
• AB is the position vector of B relative to A.
 293

VECTORS IN THE PLANE

When we plot points in the Cartesian plane, we move first in the x-direction and then in the y-direction.

For example, to plot the point P( 4, 2), we start at the y

origin, move 4 units in the x-direction, and then 2 units in the
y-direction.
P(4,2)
The vector from 0 to P is oP = ( ~ ) . 2

0 4 x

Suppose that i =
(01) is a vector of length 1 unit in the positive x-direction

and that j =
( 01) is a vector of length 1 unit in the positive y-direction.

i and j are called unit vectors

because they have length 1.

We can see that moving from 0 to P is equivalent to 4 lots of i y

plus 2 lots of j.
__,
OP= 4i+ 2j P(4,2)

0 x

The point P(x, y) has position vector GP= ( ~) = ~

t
component fonn
i
unit vector form

where ( ~) is the base unit vector in the x-direction

and j = ( ~ ) is the base unit vector in the y-direction.

All vectors in the plane can be described in terms of the base unit vectors i and j.

For example: a= 5i- j

~G
b = -3i+ 2j
~-j
-i -i -i
THE ZERO VECTOR

The zero vector, 0, is a vector of length 0. The position vector of any

point relative to itself, is 0.
It is the only vector with no direction.

In component form, 0 = ( ~) .

-t
When we write the zero vector by hand, we usually write 0 .

VECTOR EQUALITY

Two vectors are equal if they have the same magnitude and direction.
In component form, their x-components are equal and their y-components are equal.

Equal vectors are parallel and in the same direction, and are
equal in length. The aITows that represent them are translations
of one another.

1
Write vectors AB and cD in component form and
in unit vector fonn.
Comment on your answers in

A8 = ( !4) =i - 4j cD = ( !4) = i - 4j
____, ____,
The vectors AB and CD are equal.

EXERCISE 12A
Write the illustrated vectors in component form and in unit vector form:

\
Vectors 295

d f

/
j , / ! '

2 Write each vector in unit vector form, and illustrate it using an aITow diagram:

a
(~) b
( ~3) c ( ~5) d
(=~)
3 Write each vector in component form, and illustrate it using an aITow diagram:
a 3i + 4j b 2i - j c 3j d -5i - 4j

4 a Find in component form and in unit vector form:

•B ---+ ---+
i A13 ii BA iii BC
---+ ---+ ---+
iv DC v AC vi DE
E• b Which two vectors in a are equal? Explain your answer.

5 Consider the vector PQ = ( !3) .

---+ ---+
a Write PQ in unit vector form. b Draw an aITow diagram of PQ.
---+ ---+ ---+
c Find QP. d Does PQ = QP? Explain your answer.

Find k such that:

(k 3+ 6 ) (k 5k 2k)
2
-
c 2 =

1 Find a and b such that:

a ( b+2 (3a 7-4)

a ) b (a )-(b+3)
b- 4 - 5a - 3

Consider the vector a = ( ~) = 3i + 5j.

The magnitude or length of a is represented by I a I·
2 a
By Pythagoras, I a 1 = 32 + 52 = 9 + 25 = 34 5
.'. lal=J34units {since lal>O}

3
 If a ( ~~) = ali + a2j, the magnitude or length of a is Ia I = .Ja.;2 + a 22.

If p !
= ( 1 ) and q = -3i + 7j, find: a IPI

b q = -3i + 7j = ( ~3 )
IPI = y'2 2 +(-l) 2 Iq I= V(-3) 2 + 72
= J5 units = .J58 units

UNIT VECTORS
A unit vector is any vector which has a length of 1 unit.

For ex~mple, we have seen that i = ( ~) and j = ( ~) are unit vectors in the positive x and y-directions
respectively.

Find k given that ( ~) is a unit vector.

Since ( ~) is a unit vector, Vk 2 + (~)2 = 1

.. J k2 + 116 = 1
k2 + 116 = 1 {squaring both sides}

. .
. k2 = 15
16

. .. k = ±.Y]]
4

EXERCISE 128
Find the magnitude of:

(~) (!4) (~) (~1) e

(=~)
Find the length of:
i - j b 2i + 3j c -3i + 8j d -5j e -6i - 8j
Which of the following are unit vectors?

(~1) b
(t) c
V!) d
(!~) e
(-t)
Vectors 297

4 Find k for the unit vectors:

a (~) b (~) c (~) d (~)

5 Suppose v = ( ~7 ) and Iv I = V65 units. Find the possible values of k.

6 Suppose a= 5i - 4j, b = -2i + pj, and Ia I =I b I· Find the possible values of p.

VECTOR ADDITION
Given vectors a and b, we can construct the vector a +b by following these steps:

Step 1: Draw a.
DEMO
Step 2: At the arrowhead end of a, draw b.
Step 3: Join the beginning of a to the arrowhead end of b.
This is vector a+ b.

= ( ~~ ) ~~ ) .

u
Consider adding vectors a and b = (

Notice that:
• the horizontal step for a +b is a 1 + b1
• the vertical step for a +b is a2 + b2. -----~ az!+b2
a
az:! bi :!
....................... ri .....ci_
~~ ) ~~ ) ~~ ! ~~ ).
~::+b1~
If a =( and b = ( then a +b = (

If a = ( ~) and b = ( !1 ) , find a + b. Check your answer graphically.

a+ b = ( ~) + ( !1 ) Graphical check:

2+5 )
- ( 4+(-1)

= (~)
NEGATIVE VECTORS
-----; -----;
B AB and BA have the same length, but they have opposite directions.
------1 -------+ ~ -------+
We say that BA is the negative of AB, and write BA= -AB.

In the diagram we see the vector a= ( !) and its negative -a= ( =!). -3

If a = ( ai )
a2
then -a = (-ai ) .
-a2 L}-43
Notice that

VECTOR SUBTRACTION
To subtract one vector from another, we add its negative.
, ... /~
If a = ( :~ ) and b = ( ~~ ) ,.·····''b

then a- b = a + (-b)
= ( ai )
a2
+ (-b1 )
-b2

If a = ( :~ ) and b = ( ~~ ). then a - b = ( :~ _ ~~ ).

a-b b-c a

a-b b-c-a

= ( !2) - (-;3) - (i)

2+3-4)
- ( -2 - 5 -1

= ( ~8)
SCALAR MULTIPLICATION
We can multiply vectors by scalars such as 2 and -3, or in fact any k E JR.

If a is a vector, we define
2a = a + a and 3a a + a + a A scalar is a non-vector
so -3a = 3(-a) (-a)+ (-a)+ (-a). quantity. It has size but
no direction.

Ifa is / then

So, 2a is in the same direction as a but is twice as long as a

3a is in the same direction as a but is three times longer than a
-3a has the opposite direction to a and is three times longer than a.

If a is a vector and k is a scalar, then ka is also a vector and we are

performing scalar multiplication.
• If k > 0, ka and a have the same direction.
• If k < 0, ka and a have opposite directions.
• If k = 0, ka = 0, the zero vector.

If a = ( ~~ ). then 2a = a +a
= ( ~~) + ( ~~)
= ( ~~~)
.
If k 1s any scalar and a = (ai)a
2
, then ka = (ka1)
ka
2
·

Notice that:

• (-l)a= ( -1)
(-1) a2
( ai ) (-a1 ) =-a
=
-a2

9 Oa = ( (0)
(0) a2
ai ) = ( 0)
0
= 0
 Ifp=(~) and q =( !1} find:
4p p+ 3q ~p - 2q
a 4p p+3q c ~p-2q

=4(~) =(~)+3(!1) =~ (~) - 2(!1)

=(4x6)
4x2 =(~) +(~~) =(~)- (~~)
=(284) =(:~) =(-;7)

EXERCISE 72C
Consider the vectors a and b alongside.

I~
Write a and b in component form.
Find a +b and a - b, and illustrate your answers.

p+q q+p p+r r+p

q+r r+q p+p p+q+r
3
Given a =( -; } b =( ~} and c =(~} find:

a-b b-a b-c

c - a e a-b-c a+c b

Consider the vector v alongside.

Write v in component form.
b Find 2v and -3v, and illustrate your answers.

For a = ( ~} find:

2a -a 5a -3a la
2 -~a
 6 For a = ( ~). b = ( !3 ). and c = ( ~l). find:

3b b -2c c .!a
2
d a+ 2b
c + 3a f b - 4a g 3a - 4c h ~a - 5b

7 Consider a= ( ~) and b = ( ! 1 ). Find geometrically and then comment on the results:

a a+a+a+b+b b a+b+a+b+a c b+a+a+b+a

a Show that p + 2q = r - q.
b Illustrate this result graphically.

If a= 2i - 3j and b =i+ 4j, find Ia - 3b I·

a - 3b = 2i - 3j - 3(i + 4j)
= 2i - 3j - 3i 12j
= -i -15j
la-3bl = v(-1)2+(-15) 2
= -!226 units

For r = 3i + 4j and s = -i + 6j, find:

Ir I b Is I c r +s Ir+ sI
r s f Ir - sI g Is - 2r 1 h I 3r - 4s I

10 Suppose a= 2i - j, b = i + 3j, and c = -4i. Find:

a+ b b 3b + c a - c
2b - a Ic + 2a I l-2bl

11 Suppose a = ( ~ ). b= ( ! 4
). and c = ( ~ ). Find k such that:

Ic I = Ia - b I b I 2b I = Ia + c I
Suppose a= i + 3j and b 4i - j.
Write a + kb in terms of k.
Hence find k such that a + kb = 17i - j.

Let r = ( ~2 ) and s = ( ~l). Find ki and k 2 such that ki(r + s) + 5(r - s) = kz(4r - s).
 VECTOR BETWEEN TWO POINTS
y Suppose point A has position vector oA = ( ~~ )
b2 -----------------------------------
"'
A(a1, a2)
"""""
and point B has position vector oB = ( ~~ ) .
-------+ -------+ -------+
AB =AO+OB
-------+ -------+
= -OA+OB
-------+ -------+
=OB-OA
0

The position vector of B relative to A is -------+

AB -------+
= OB -------+
- OA = ( b1 - a1) .
b
2 - a2

In general, for two points A and B with position vectors y

a and b respectively:
B
-------+ -------+
AB= -a+b and BA= -b+a
=b-a =a-b

= ( ~~ =~~) = ( ~~ =~~) x

Given points A( 4, 1), B(-2, 5), and C(3, -3), find the position vector of:
A relative to 0 B relative to A A relative to C.

The position vector of A relative to 0 is oA = ( i=~) = ( i) .

The position vector of B relative to A is ______,B -_ (-52--14) -- (-46 ) .
A

The position vector of A relative to C is cA = (

1
~ ( ! 3)) = ( ! )·
EXERCISE 12D
-------+
Find AB given:
a A(l, 2) and B(6, 3) A(5, 4) and B(7, -1)
A( -2, 4) and B(3, -5) A(-4, 3) and B(O, -2)
A(-1, -5) and B(6, -4) A(-8, -5) and B(-2, 9)
Given points P(2, 4), Q(-1, 3), and R(7, -5), find the position vector of:
Q relative to 0
R relative to P
P relative to Q.
-----+
0, P, and Q are points on the Cartesian plane. Find PQ given:

GP = ( ~ ) and oQ = ( ~) GP=(~)
-----+ ---+ -----+ ---+
OP = 2i - 4j and OQ = -3i + j OP= i - 7j and OQ = 4i - lOj

---+ -----+
0, A, and Bare points such that OA = -i + 6j and OB= 3i - 4j. Find:
-----+ -----+ -----+ -----+
AB IABI BA IBAI

Relative to an origin 0, the position vector of point P is 3i - 5j, and the position vector of point Q
is -2i - 2j.
-----+
Find PQ.
Find the position vector of M, the midpoint of PQ.

A(2, -5) and B(k, -1) are two points which are 7 units apart.
-----+ -----+
Find AB and I AB I in te1111s of k.
Hence find the two possible values of k.
Show, by illustration, why k should have two possible values.

---+ -----+ -----+

0, A, B, and C are points such that OA = a, OB = b, and OC = 2a + 5b.
Find, in terms of a and b:
-----+ -----+
AB BC
-----+
Given that a = i + 3j and b = 4i - j, find I AC I·

-----+ -----+
Find AB and AC.
-----+ -----+ -----+
Explain why BC = -AB +AC.
-----+
Hence find BC.
A(-3, 1) Check your answer to by direct evaluation.

C(2, -3)

-----+ -----+ -----+

Given BA= and BC= (-;2), find AC.
( !5)
-----+
Given AB=
-----+ (-5) and cA = ( !4), find CB.
2

Given PQ
-----+ = (0)
2
-----+ = (-1) , and RS
, RQ
4
-----+ = (-2)
_
6
, find SP.
--;
 are parallel vectors of different length.

Two non-zero vectors are parallel if and only if one is a scalar multiple of the other.

Given any non-zero vector a and non-zero scalar k, the vector ka is parallel to a.

• If a is parallel to b, then there exists I k I is the modulus of k,

a scalar k such that a = kb. whereas I a I is the length
of vector a.
• If a = kb for some scalar k, then
... a is parallel to b, and
. . lal = lkl lbl.

Find r given that a = ( ~1 ) is parallel to b = ( !3 ) .

Since a and b are parallel, a = kb for some scalar k.

:. -1 2k and r = -3k
k = _1.
2

. ·. r = -3(-1.)
2 = ~2

UNIT VECTORS
Given a non-zero vector a, its magnitude I a I is a scalar quantity.
If we multiply a by the scalar fh, we obtain the parallel vector Th a with length 1.
1
• A unit vector in the direction of a is faia.
k
• A vector of length k in the same direction as a is r;f a.
k
• A vector of length k which is parallel to a could be ±fai a.
Vectors

10
If a = 2i + 3j,
find:
a a unit vector in the direction of a
b a vector of length 6 units in the direction of a
c vectors of length 6 units which are parallel to a.

a Ia I = J 22 + 32
= Ji3 units
the unit vector is }is(2i + 3j)
2 • 3 •
= V:i3 l + V:i3 J
b A vector of length 6 units in the direction of a is jh-(2i + 3j)
12 • 18 •
= V:i3 l + V:i3 J
c The vectors of length 6 units which are parallel to a are )h i + ~ j and - Jh i - ~ j.

EXERCISE 12E. 1
1 Determine whether the following pairs of vectors are parallel:

a ( ~) and ( 60 )
1
b (!3 ) and ( =~) c
2
( 12 ) and ( ~)
! ( !~5 ) and ( -;3 ) ~) ~5 )
4
d ( -; ) and ( f
6) ( and (

2 Find m given that:

a ( ~) 5
and ( -; ) are parallel b ( ~) and ( !) are parallel

c ( ~4 ) and ( ~) are parallel d (! ) and ( m ;

2
) are parallel.

3 Consider a vector v. Write an expression for the vector:

a in the same direction as v and twice its length
b in the opposite direction to v and a third of its length.

4 a Write each of these vectors in

component form.
b Which of the vectors a, b, c, d,
and e, are:
v
/. c /
parallel to v
ii in the same direction as v
iii the same length as v
iv equal to v?
 What can be deduced from the following?
----) ----) ---+ ---+
PQ = 4RS AB= -CD

Find the unit vector in the direction of:

i + 3j 5i - 2j -4i +j
Write the vector v alongside in unit vector form.
b Find:
a unit vector in the direction of v
a vector of length 3 units in the direction of v
a vector of length 10 units in the opposite direction to v.
Draw each of the vectors in
If a = 3i - 5j, find:
a unit vector in the direction of a
a vector of length 5 units in the direction of a
vectors of length 8 units which are parallel to a.

Find the vector v which has:

4
the same direction as ( -; ) and length 3 units

the opposite direction to ( =~ ) and length 4 units.

Relative to an origin 0, the position vector of Pis 2i - 3j, and the position vector of Q is -3i + j.
Find:
----) ----)

PQ a unit vector in the direction of PQ.

----) ---+ ---+ ----)
Suppose OP = p, OQ = q, OR = 3p + q, and OS = -4p - q.
----) ----)

Find PR and QS in terms of p and q.

----) ----)
Hence show that PR and QS are parallel.
----) ----)
Do PR and QS have the same direction or opposite directions? Explain your answer.

A is (5, 3) and point Bis 6 units from A in the direction ( !1 ).

---+ ---+ ---+ ---+ ---+
Find AB. Find OB using OB = OA + AB.
Hence find the coordinates of B.

COLLINEAR. POINTS
Three or more points are said to be collinear if they lie on the same straight line.

--
---+ = kBC
A, B, and C are collinear if AB -+
for some scalarA
k. ~
. BB_.~
C
 Show that A(-3, -1), B(l, 1), and C(3, 2) are collinear.

___, - ( 1 - (-3)) - ( 4)
AB- 1-(-1) - 2 C(3,2)

BC=(~=~)=(~) B(l, 1)

___, ----+ ----+ ----+

Now AB = 2BC, so AB is parallel to BC . A(-3, -1)

.'. A, B, and C are collinear.

EXERCISE 12E.2
Show that the following sets of points are collinear:
A(-5, 2), B(l, -4), C(3, -6)
P(8, 3), Q( -4, -6), R( 4, 0)
X(7, -3), Y(-3, 2), Z(-7, 4)

Findmsuchthatthepoints (-8,-7), (-5,2), and (m,-1) arecollinear.

0, A, B, and Care four points such that OA

----+ ----+
___,
= ----+
a, OB = b, and OC
----+
=
4a - 3b.
Find AB and BC in terms of a and b.
b Hence show that A, B, and C are collinear.
----+ ___, ___,
The four points 0, P, Q, and R are such that OP = 4a, OQ = lOb, and OR 25b - 6a.
Show that Q lies on the line PR.

;llNES
We have seen in Cartesian geometry that we can determine the equation of a line using its direction and
any fixed point on the line. We can do the same using vectors.
Suppose a line passes through a fixed point A with position
vector a, and that the line is parallel to the vector b.
Consider any point Ron the line with position vector r. A (fixed point)
----+
By vector addition, r = a + AR
r = a + tb for some t E ~
----+
{since AR is parallel to b}

line
Suppose a line passes through a fixed point A( ai, a 2) with position vector a, and that the line is parallel

to the vector b = ( ~~). If R(x, y) with position vector r is any point on the line, then:

• r = a + tb, t E ~ or ( ~) = ( ~~ ) +t ( ~~ )
is the vector equation of the line.

b2
• The gradient of the line is m = bi .

• Since ( ~) = ( ~~ ! ~~~), the parametric equations of

The equations of
the line are x = ai +bit and y = a2 + b2t, where t E ~
lines do not need
is the parameter. to be written in
Each point on the line corresponds to exactly one value oft. parametric form
for the syllabus.
• We can convert these equations into
It is possible to convert
Cartesian form by equating t values.
between vectors and
. x - ai y a2 b . Cartesian equations.
U smg t = _b_i_ = ~ we o tam
However, in 3 and higher
b2x - biy = b2ai - bia2 which is the dimensions, vectors are
much simpler to use.
Cartesian equation of the line.

A line passes through the point A(6, 3) and has direction vector ( ~l). Describe the line using:

a a vector equation b parametric equations c a Cartesian equation.

The vector equation is r = a + tb where

a = oA = ( ~), b= ( ~1 ), and t E R

x = 6 - t and y = 3 + 4t, t E ~

Now t = x - 6 = Y- 3
-1 4
0
: . 4x - 24 = -y + 3
:. 4x +y = 27
NON-UNIQUENESS OF THE VECTOR EQUATION OF A LINE
In the Example on the previous page, we could have used any non-zero scalar multiple of ( ~l) to obtain
the vector equation of the line.

For example, using the direction vector (-1) ( ~l ) = ( ~4 ) , we could have equivalently written the

vector equation of the line as ( ~) = ( ~) + s ( ~4 } s ER

We used a different parameters since the same values of sand t correspond to different points. For example:

When t = 1, we have ( ~) = ( ~) + ( ~l) = ( ~)

When s = 1, we have ( ~) = ( ~) + ( ~4) = ( !1) ·

1 In the vector equations ( ~) = ( ~) + t ( ~l) and ( ~) = ( ~) + s ( ~4 ),

how are t and s related?
2 Are the parametric equations of lines unique?
3 Can we make the same conclusion about the Cartesian equations of lines?

EXERCISE 12F
Consider the lines:

L1: r = ( ~) + t ( -;_5 } t E JR and L2 : 2x + lOy =7

Find the direction vector of each line.
b Hence explain why L 1 and L 2 are parallel.

Describe each of the following lines using:

i a vector equation ii parametric equations a Cartesian equation

a line with direction ( !6 ) which passes through (8, 2)

a line parallel to -4i + 9j which cuts the x-axis at 3

a line passing through (- 7, -1) and (-1, 2).

A line has vector equation r = ( !1) +t ( ~ ) , t E R

Find the point on the line corresponding to:

t= 0 ii t = 2 t = -3
Find the gradient of the line.
 A line passes through (2, 6) with direction vector (
1
5
°).
Write parametric equations for the line using the parameter t.
Find the points on the line for which t = 0, 1, 3, -1, and -4.
Draw a diagram to illustrate your answers to

Does ( -3, 7) lie on the line with vector equation r = ( ~3 ) + t ( ~)?

(k, k) lies on the line with parametric equations x = 4 + 2t, y = 1 - t. Find k.

At what point does the line with vector equation r = ( ~ ) + t ( ~2 ) cut:

the x-axis the y-axis?

Consider the lines L1 : r = ( -; )

4
+ t ( ~4 ), t E IR

L2: r = ( ! 2) +s(
3
-; ), s ER

Find the Caitesian equation of each line.

What can you deduce about L 1 and L 2 ?
How are the parameters t and s related?

CONSTANT VELOCITY PROBLEMS

A cyclist is at A(l, 15). He rides with constant speed y(km)
along a straight road. One hour later, he is at B(ll, -6). A(l, 15)
The distance units are kilometres. ------·--·1a·ki11·------··q
In this case:
• The initial position of the cyclist 1s given by the
..
pos1t10n vector a = ( 1)
15
.
2lkm
• The velocity of the cyclist is given by the vector

b = ( ~gl) since he travels 10 km east and 21 km

0 x (km)
south in one hour.
Suppose that t hours after leaving A, the cyclist is at
,B(ll, -6)
R(x, y). ,
,,
--+ ------+ ------+
OR= OA+AR '.'\R(x,y)
,
: . r = ( 15 )
1
+t ( ~gl ) for t :): 0
1'

( ~) 1
= ( 15 ) + t ( ~gl) is the vector equation of the cyclist's path.
 If an object has initial position vector a and
moves with constant velocity b, its position at
time t is given by
r = a + tb for t ) 0.
The speed of the object £s Ib I ·
0

( ~) = ( ::::~) + t (;) is the vector equation of the path of an object.

The time t is in seconds, t ) 0. The distance units are metres.

Find the object's initial position.
Plot the path of the object for t = 0, 1, 2, 3.
Find the velocity vector of the object.
Find the object's speed.
Suppose the object continues in the same direction but increases its speed to 6 m s- 1 .
State its new velocity vector.

When t = 0, ( ~) = ( ::::~) y l
t=3 /
: . the initial position is ( -3, -5).
'
'
t=2/ 0 x
The velocity vector is ( ; ) .
''
"
''
t= 1:
s!
The speed is I( ; ) I V12 + 22 ''
t=o/
=Vs ms- 1 . "

Previously, the speed was J5 ms- 1 and the velocity vector was
.·. the new velocity vector is Js ( ; ) .

We can also describe an object's direction by comparing it with the true N

north direction. We call this a bearing.

Bearing angles are always measured in the clockwise direction and are
always written as 3 digits.

For example, we write 062° instead of 62°.

 Suppose i is the unit vector due east and j is the unit vector due north.
An object has initial position -i + 6j relative to an origin 0, and moves with velocity vector
3i - 2j. The distances are in metres, and time is measured in minutes.
Find the position vector of the object after t minutes.
Find the direction of the object as a bearing to the nearest degree.
c At what time will the object be due east of O?

r = a+tb
(-1, 6)

the position vector of the object after t minutes

. (-1+3t)
lS 6 - 2t .
x

tanB = ~ N
e ~ 33.7°
:. the bearing of the object~ 90° + 33.7° ~ 124° 3
------------------··o
() :

!2
c When the object is due east of 0, y must be zero.
:. 6 - 2t = 0
:. t = 3
When t = 3, x = -1 + 3(3) = 8. So, the object is due east of 0 at this time.
:. the object is due east of 0 after 3 minutes.

EXERCISE l 2G
Each of the following lines represents the path of a moving object. t is measured in seconds, t ~ 0,
and distances are measured in metres. In each case, find:
the initial position the velocity vector m the speed of the object.

x = -3 + lOt, y = 4 +t x = -5 + 4t, y = 3 - 7t

An object moves with vector equation

The distances are in metres.
Find the object's initial position. Plot the path of the object for t = 0, 1, 2, 3.
Find the speed of the object. Find the position of the object after 8 seconds.
If the object continues in the same direction but increases its speed to 7 m s- 1 , state its new velocity
vector.
Vectors 313

3 Suppose i is the unit vector due east and j is the unit vector due north. Relative to an origin 0, a train
has initial position vector -Si + 3j and moves with velocity vector 2i + j.
The distance units are kilometres and time is measured in minutes.
a Find the position vector of the train after t minutes.
b Hence find the position of the train after 2 minutes.
c Find the direction of the train's motion. Write your answer as a bearing to the nearest degree.
d At what time will the train be due north of O?

4 Answer the Opening Problem on page 292.

5 Object A moves with vector equation ( ~) = ( ~7 ) + t ( ! 3 ).

Object B moves with vector equation ( ~) = ( =~~) + t ( ~).
The distance units are metres, and the time t is measured in seconds.
a Find the initial position of each object.
b Find the speed of each object.
c At what time will the objects meet?
d Find the point where the objects will meet.

6 Suppose i represents 1 Ian due east, and j represents 1 km due north.

Relative to base camp 0, Alistair is camping at (4, -2), and
Bianca is camping at (-4, -4). They both leave their campsites
at the same time. Alistair walks with velocity vector -3i + pj
where p > 0. Bianca walks with velocity vector i + qj.
The distance units are in kilometres and time is measured in hours.
a Given that Alistair's speed is 5 kmh- 1 , find p.
b At what time will Alistair be due east of the base camp?
c Find Alistair's direction. Give your answer as a bearing to
the nearest degree.
d Given that the campers meet, find:
the time at which they meet
ii the position at which they meet
iii the value of q.

7 A cyclist is initially at (10, -20), and travels on the bearing 050° at 8 ms- 1 . At the same time,
a runner leaves the point (50, p), and runs on the bearing 110° at 5 ms- 1 . The distance units are
metres, and the time units are seconds.
a Show that the velocity vector of the cyclist is ( ~ ~~~ 1~: ).
b Find the velocity vector for the runner.
c Find the position of the cyclist after 5 seconds.
Given that the cyclist and the runner meet, find:
the time at which they meet
ii the position at which they meet
iii the value of p.
 Write the given vectors in component form and in

I
unit vector fonn.
Find in unit vector fmm:
a+b 2a - b

Consider the vector 3i - j.

Write the vector in component form. Illustrate the vector using an aITow diagram.
c Write the negative of the vector. Find the length of the vector.

Find k if the following are unit vectors:

Find the vector which is:

(;)
4
3 units long and has the same direction as ( )
-1

7 units long and has the opposite direction to

(-35)·
For a= ( !3 ), b = (;), and c = ( =~), find:

a+c-b 2b - ~c Ic- al
Given points A(3, 1), B(5, -2), and C(8, 4), find:
-----+ __, -----+
a AB CB IACI
7 Let r = ( !2 ) and s = ( ~) . Find m and n such that 3 (r + s) + m( r - s) = n( 4s - r).

8 Find k such that the points (-7, 5), (-3, 3), and (k, 0) are collinear.

For the line that passes through (-6, 3) with direction ( ~3 ), write down the con-esponding:

vector equation parametric equations Cartesian equation.

10 (-3, m) lies on the line with vector equation ( ~) = ( ~~) + t ( ~7 ). Find m.

11 Relative to an origin 0, a feny has initial position vector

70i + 80j. It moves with velocity vector - 2i - 4j across
a river. The distance units are metres, and the time units are
seconds.
Find the position vector of the feny after t seconds.
Hence find the position of the ferry after 15 seconds.
c Find the speed of the ferry.
The feny's destination has position vector - 26i - 112j.
i How long will the ferry take to complete its journey?
H Find the distance the feny has travelled in this time.
 5

1 Find, in component form and in unit vector form:

---+ ---+
0
A B
0
i AB iii CA
b Which two vectors in a have the same length?
Explain your answer.

c
"

Find a and b such that:

a
a+
( 2b- 5
1) = ( 13) 9

If r = ( i) 3
and s = ( -; ). find:

Is I lr+sl c I2s - r I

Suppose p = ( !5 ) and q = ( ~). Find k such that:

Suppose v is a vector of length VU units. Write, in terms of v:

a unit vector in the direction of v
a vector of length 2 units in the same direction as v
a vector of length 4 units in the opposite direction to v.

Relative to an 01igin 0, the position vector of A is -2i - 5j, and the position vector of B is
4i + j. Find:
---+ ---+ ---+
AB IABI a unit vector in the direction of AB.

8 Find n if ( ~2 ) and ( ~~) are parallel vectors.

-----+ ---+ ---+

0, P, Q, and Rare four points such that OP= p, OQ = q, and OR= -2p + 3q.
-----+ ---+
Write PQ and QR in te1ms of p and q.
What can you conclude about the points P, Q, and R?

Find the vector equation of the line which cuts the y-axis at (0, 8) and has direction 5i + 4j.
11 Suppose i represents the unit vector due east, and
j represents the unit vector due north.
Jerome and Molly are playing with their remote controlled
boats on a lake. Relative to the centre of the lake 0,
Jerome launches his boat from (10, 42) with velocity
vector -2i - 3j. At the same time, Molly launches
her boat from (40, -18) with velocity vector ki + j,
k < 0. The distance units are metres, and the time units
are seconds.
a Molly's boat travelled at JI? m s- 1 . Find k.
b Find the direction in which Jerome's boat is travelling. Write your answer as a bearing to the
nearest degree.
c At what time will Jerome's boat be due north of the centre of the lake?
d At what time will the boats collide?
e How far will the boats be from the centre of the lake when they collide?