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3D Vector Algebra Concepts Explained

This document discusses elementary vector algebra in 3D. It defines a vector as a quantity that has both magnitude and direction, and represents it graphically with an arrow. It then provides examples to distinguish between scalar and vector fields, and gives equations to represent different vector fields. It also discusses the conditions for vectors to be linearly independent in terms of the determinant of their coefficients. Finally, it asks to prove that three specific vectors can form the sides of a triangle and find the lengths of the medians of that triangle.

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samwel kiwale
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3 views3 pages

3D Vector Algebra Concepts Explained

This document discusses elementary vector algebra in 3D. It defines a vector as a quantity that has both magnitude and direction, and represents it graphically with an arrow. It then provides examples to distinguish between scalar and vector fields, and gives equations to represent different vector fields. It also discusses the conditions for vectors to be linearly independent in terms of the determinant of their coefficients. Finally, it asks to prove that three specific vectors can form the sides of a triangle and find the lengths of the medians of that triangle.

Uploaded by

samwel kiwale
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

ELEMENTARY VECTOR ALGEBRA IN 3D

A vector

Definition: A vector is a quantity which has both magnitude and

direction

Graphically a vector is represented by an arrow OP as shown in

figure below

Figure 1.1 A vector presenta

A 2
1  A22  A32

(1) (a) With examples distinguish between scalar field and vector field.

(b) Given the scalar field defined by  ( x, y, z)  4 x z  5xy  6 xyz find


3 2

 at the points

(i)  0,0,0 (ii) 1, 2, 1 (iii)  3, 4, 2

Notes By JD Madasi
(c) Graph the vector fields defined by

(i) v  x, y   xiˆ  yjˆ (ii) v  x, y    xiˆ  yjˆ (ii) v  x, y, z   xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ

(3) Show that a necessary and sufficient condition that vectors

that vectors

a  a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3kˆ, b  b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3kˆ, c  c1iˆ  c2 ˆj  c3kˆ be linearly

independent is that

a1 a2 a3
the determinant b1 b2 b3  0
c1 c2 c3

(4) (a) Prove that the vectors

a  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ, b  iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ, c  4iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ can form the side of a

(b) Find the lengths of the medians of the triangle

Notes By JD Madasi
Notes By JD Madasi

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