汉林学院 – Mr.

Zhao
Chapter 5 Geometric Vectors

Vector: a quantity having direction as well as magnitude, especially as determining the position of one point in space relative to
another.

Example
State whether each of the following is an example of a vector or a scalar quantity.
a) A car travelling at 50 𝑘𝑚/ℎ to the east
b) A child pulling a wagon with a force of 100 N at 30° to the horizontal
c) A man’s mass of 88 kg
d) A woman skiing at a speed of 25 𝑘𝑚/ℎ
e) A parachutist falling at 20 𝑘𝑚/ℎ downward
f) Acceleration due to gravity on Earth of 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 downward

A vector can be represented in several ways:

1. In a diagram, as a geometric vector, which is a representation of a vector using an arrow diagram, or directed line segment, that
shows both magnitude (or size) and direction. The length of the arrow represents, and is proportional to, the vector’s magnitude.

2. In symbols, using the endpoints of the arrow: ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝐴𝐵
Point A is the starting or initial point of the vector (also known as the “tail”).
Point B is the end or terminal point of the vector (also known as the “tip” or “head”).

3. In symbols, using a single letter: 𝑣

The magnitude, or size, of a vector is designated using absolute value brackets. The magnitude of vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 or 𝑣 is written as
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑨𝑩| or |𝒗
⃗ |.

A true bearing is a compass measurement where the angle is measured from north in a clockwise direction.
A quadrant bearing, is a measurement between 0° and 90° east or west of the North-South line.

Example
Describe the vectors

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Example
Draw a geometric vector with each bearing. Then convert the true bearing to quadrant bearing, and quadrant bearing to true bearing.
a) 𝑣 = 2 𝑘𝑚 at a true bearing of 035°
b) 𝑣 = 4 𝑘𝑚 at a true bearing of 225°
c) 𝑢
⃗ = 30 𝑘𝑚/ℎ at a quadrant bearing of 𝑆40°𝐸
d) 𝑢
⃗ = 40 𝑘𝑚/ℎ at a quadrant bearing of 𝑁70°𝑊
e) 𝑢
⃗ = 40 𝑘𝑚/ℎ at a true bearing of 075°
f) 𝑢
⃗ = 30 𝑘𝑚/ℎ at a quadrant bearing of 𝑁30°𝑊

Parallel vectors have the same or opposite direction. ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝐴𝐵 || ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝐷
Equivalent vectors have the same magnitude and the same direction. ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝐷
Opposite vectors have the same magnitude but opposite direction. The opposite of ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .
𝐴𝐵 is written as −𝐴𝐵

Example
a) Draw a vector equivalent to ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 , labelled ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐸𝐹 .
B
A
b) Write an expression to show how ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐸𝐹 are related.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
c) Draw a vector opposite to 𝐴𝐵 , labelled 𝐺𝐻 .
d) Write an expression to show how ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐺𝐻 are related.
e) Draw a vector parallel to ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 , labelled ⃗𝐼𝐽
⃗.
f) Write an expression to show how ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 and ⃗𝐼𝐽⃗ are related.

Practice
1. Convert each true bearing to its equivalent quadrant bearing.
a) 076°
b) 140°
c) 180°
d) 210°
e) 300°
f) 560°

2. Convert each quadrant bearing to its equivalent true bearing.

a) 𝑁75°𝐸
b) 𝑆82°𝐸
c) 𝑁40°𝑊
d) 𝑆81°𝐸
e) 𝑆11°𝑊
f) 𝑁37°𝑊

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ?
3. a) Which vectors are parallel to vector 𝐻𝐺
b) Which vectors are equivalent to vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 ?
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ?
c) Which vectors are opposite to vector 𝐸𝐹

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4. Use an appropriate scale to draw each vector. Label the magnitude, direction, and scale. Then, state the opposite of each vector.
a) Velocity of 100 𝑘𝑚/ℎ at a quadrant bearing of 𝑁90°𝑊
b) Acceleration of 20 𝑚/𝑠 2 at a bearing of 105°
c) Force of 120 N at an angle of 20°to the ground
a) 200 km on a quadrant bearing N37°W
d) 150 km/h on a quadrant bearing of S50°W
e) 25 km/h on a bearing of 060°

5. Given parallelogram ABCD, what is the relationship between

a) AB and DC
b) BC and AD
c) AB and CD
d) BC and DA

*6. Prove or disprove each statement.

a) If 𝑎 = 𝑏⃗ , then |𝑎|
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = |𝑏|
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = |𝑏|
b) If |𝑎| ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , then 𝑎 = 𝑏⃗.

7. The diagram below is a parallelepiped.

a) State one equivalent vector and one opposite vector for each of the following.
i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵
ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐸𝐷
iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐷
iv) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗𝐶 = −𝐺𝐸
b) Does 𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ? Explain.
c) Does ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐻𝐵 = 𝐶𝐸 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ? Explain.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = |𝐶𝐸|
d) Does |𝐻𝐵| ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ? Explain.

When you add two or more vectors, you are finding a single vector, called the resultant that has the same effect as the original vectors
applied one after the other.
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Investigate How can you add vectors?
a) In the same direction
b) Opposite direction
c) Different direction

Consider 2 vectors, 𝑎 and 𝑏⃗, the resultant of 𝑎 + 𝑏⃗ can be conducted by the head-to-tail method. Translate 𝑏⃗ so that the tail of 𝑏⃗
touches the head of 𝑎. Find the sum by drawing and measuring from the tail of 𝑎 to the head of 𝑏⃗.

Or, we can translate 𝑏⃗ so that the tail of 𝑏⃗ touches the tail of 𝑎 . Complete the parallelogram that has 𝑎 and 𝑏⃗ as two of its sides.
This is called the tail-to-tail method.

The relationship between addition and subtraction with vectors is similar to the relationship between addition and subtraction with
scalars. To subtract 𝑎 − 𝑏⃗, add the opposite of 𝑏⃗ to 𝑎. In other words, 𝑎 − 𝑏⃗ is equivalent to 𝑎 + (−𝑏⃗), or 𝑎 followed by −𝑏⃗.

The zero vector, ⃗0, is a vector has no specific direction and 0 magnitude. Any vector adds the zero vector is itself.

Example
a) Find 𝑢
⃗ +𝑣
b) Find 𝑢
⃗ −𝑣

Example
Consider parallelogram EFGH with diagonals EG and FH that intersect at J. Express each vector as the sum and difference of two
other vectors in two ways.
i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐻𝐹
ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐻
iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐺𝐽

Example
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In a race, you run 400 m due east and then run 𝑁30°𝐸 for 300 m, and then walk 𝑁30°𝑊 for 300 m. How far are you from your
starting position, and at what bearing?

Practice
1. Express the shortest vector in each diagram as the sum or difference of two other vectors.

2. ABCD is a parallelogram, and E is the intersection point of the diagonals AC and BD. Name a single vector equivalent to each
expression.
a) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴 𝐸 + 𝐸𝐵
b) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐴
c) 𝐴𝐸 − ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐴𝐸
d) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐷 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐸𝐷 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
e) 𝐷𝐶 + 𝐵𝐴 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐴𝐸
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
f) 𝐵𝐷 𝐵𝐴
g) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝐷
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ − 𝐸𝐵
h) 𝐴𝐸 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ − 𝐵𝐶

*3. The diagram below shows a regular octagon. Write a single vector that is equivalent to each vector expression.
a) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐻𝐴 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ − ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
b) 𝐺𝐻 𝐺𝐹
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
c) 𝐹𝐸 𝐵𝐴
d) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐺𝐴 − 𝐸𝐻 𝐷𝐺

4. Suppose A, B, C, and O represent any points.

a) Express ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , and 𝐶𝐴
𝐴𝐵 , 𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of 𝑂𝐴⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐵 .
b) Express ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑂𝐵⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ by first substituting your answers from part a), then simplify.
c) Prove that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ +𝐶𝐴
𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 0
⃗ by substituting your answers from part a), then simplify
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 ⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
5. The diagram shows a cube. Let 𝑢 𝐴𝐵, 𝑣 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐷 , and 𝑤 𝐴𝐸 . Express vectors ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐺𝐴, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐻𝐹 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐻𝐵 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐶𝐹 in terms of vectors
𝑢
⃗ , 𝑣, 𝑤
⃗⃗ .

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑏⃗ = 𝑂𝐵
*6. ABCDEF is a regular hexagon, and O is its center. Let 𝑎 = 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . Write ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , 𝐶𝑂
𝐴𝐵 , 𝑂𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , and 𝐴𝐸
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of 𝑎 and
𝑏⃗.

*7. Prove that the statement |𝑢

⃗ + 𝑣 | ≤ |𝑢
⃗ | + |𝑣 |

*8. When would each expression be true? Support your answer with diagrams.
a) |𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣 | > |𝑢
⃗ − 𝑣|
b) |𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣| < |𝑢
⃗ − 𝑣|
c) |𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣 | = |𝑢
⃗ − 𝑣|
d) |𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣| ≤ |𝑢
⃗ | + |𝑣 |

*9. Using the regular hexagon shown, express each of the following vectors in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦.

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
a) 𝐸𝐺
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
b) 𝐸𝑋
c) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴

*10. ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 is an equilateral triangle, with O its centroid.

a) Show that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐵 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐶 = ⃗0
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + 𝐵𝑂
b) Is it just true that 𝐴𝑂 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + 𝐶𝑂
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 0
⃗ ? Justify your answer.

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + 𝐵𝑂
*11. For the regular octagon ABCDEFGH shown below, prove that 𝐴𝑂 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + 𝐶𝑂
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐷𝑂 + 𝐸𝑂⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + 𝐻𝑂
𝐹𝑂 + 𝐺𝑂 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 0
⃗.
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Given a vector 𝑣 and a scalar 𝑘, where 𝑘 is a real number, the scalar multiple of 𝑘 and 𝑣 , 𝑘𝑣 , is a vector |𝑘| times as long as
𝑣 . Its magnitude is |𝑘||𝑣 |.
If 𝑘 > 0, then 𝑘𝑣 has the same direction as 𝑣 .
If 𝑘 < 0, then 𝑘𝑣 has the opposite direction to 𝑣 .
A vector and its scalar multiple are parallel.

Example
a) Which of these vectors are scalar multiples of vector 𝑣 ? Explain.
b) Find the scalar 𝑘 for each scalar multiple in part a).
c) For those vectors that are not scalar multiples of vector 𝑣 , explain why they are not.

Example
⃗ with magnitude |𝑢
Consider vector 𝑢 ⃗ | = 60 𝑘𝑚/ℎ , at a quadrant bearing of 𝑆30°𝑊. Draw a vector to represent each scalar
multiplication. Describe, in words, the resulting vector.
a) 3𝑢
⃗
b) 0.5𝑢
⃗
c) −2𝑢
⃗

Vectors are collinear if they lie on a straight line when arranged tail to tail. The vectors are also scalar multiples of each other, which
means that they are parallel.

The following statements about non-zero vectors 𝑢

⃗ and 𝑣 are equivalent:
• 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 are scalar multiples of each other; that is, 𝑢
⃗ = 𝑘𝑣 for k in all real numbers.
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• 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 are collinear.
• 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 are parallel.

Vector Properties for Scalar Multiplication

1. Distributive property: For any scalar 𝑘 and any vectors 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 , 𝑘(𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣 ) = 𝑘𝑢
⃗ + 𝑘𝑣 .
2. Associative property: For any scalars 𝑎 and 𝑏 and any vector 𝑣 , (𝑎𝑏) 𝑣 = 𝑎(𝑏𝑣 ).
3. Identity property: For any vector 𝑣 , 1𝑣 = 𝑣 .
4. Given two vectors 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 , and scalars 𝑠 and 𝑡, the quantity 𝑠𝑢
⃗ + 𝑡𝑣 is called a linear combination of vectors 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 .

Example
𝑣⃗
What is the magnitude of for any vector 𝑣 ?
|𝑣⃗ |

Example
In trapezoid 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷, 𝐵𝐶 ||𝐴𝐷 and 𝐴𝐷 = 3𝐵𝐶. Let ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑢⃗ , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 = 𝑣 . Express ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐵𝐷 , and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐷 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐶𝐷 as linear combinations of
𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 .

Example
In the diagram, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝐷 .

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 1 𝑂𝐴
a) Show that 𝑂𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐷
3 3

b) Does the position of point O matter in this case? Explain?

Practice
1. Simplify each of the following algebraically.
a) 𝑢
⃗ + 𝑢
⃗ + 𝑢
⃗
b) 2𝑢
⃗ − 3𝑣 − 3𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣
c) 3(𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣 ) − 3(𝑢
⃗ − 𝑣)
d) 3𝑢
⃗ + 2𝑣 − 2(𝑣 − 𝑢
⃗ ) + (−3𝑣 )
e) −(𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣 ) − 3(−2𝑢
⃗ + 6𝑣)
⃗ − 𝑣 ) − 2(𝑢
f) 2(𝑢 ⃗ + 𝑣)
g) (𝑢
⃗ + 2𝑣 ) − 3(4𝑢
⃗ − 5𝑣 )

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝐴𝐵
2. In hexagon ABCDEF, opposite sides are parallel and equal, and 𝐹𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . Let ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑢 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑣 . Express each vector in
⃗ and 𝐹𝐴
terms of 𝑢⃗ and 𝑣 .
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Simplify.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
a) 𝐹𝐶
b) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
c) 𝐹𝐷
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
d) 𝐶𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
e) 𝐸𝐵
f) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐸

3. ABCDE is a pentagon such that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝐴𝐵 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝐸𝐷
𝐷𝐶 and 𝐴𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . Write each vector in terms of ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .
𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
a) 𝐸𝐶
b) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐷
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
c) 𝐶𝐵
d) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐸

4. PQRS is a parallelogram with A and B the midpoints of PQ and SP, respectively. If 𝑢 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑣 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗ = 𝑄𝐴 𝑃𝑄 , express each vector in
term of 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣
⃗⃗⃗⃗
a) 𝑃𝑆
b) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝑃
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
c) 𝑅𝑆
d) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
e) 𝑄𝑆
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
f) 𝐴𝑆
g) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝑅
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
h) 𝑃𝑅
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
i) 𝑅𝑃

⃗ and 𝑣 at right angels to each other with |𝑢

5. Draw vectors 𝑢 ⃗ | = 3 𝑐𝑚 and |𝑣 | = 4.5 𝑐𝑚. Then draw the following linear
combinations of 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣
a) 𝑢
⃗ +𝑣
b) 2𝑢
⃗ −𝑣
c) 0.5𝑢
⃗ + 2𝑣
d) 𝑣 − 𝑢
⃗

6. Show geometrically that (−1) 𝑘𝑢

⃗ = 𝑘 (−𝑢
⃗ ).
⃗ + 𝑣|2 + |𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 , simplify |𝑢
*7. Given two perpendicular vectors 𝑢 ⃗ − 𝑣 |2 . Illustrate the results geometrically.
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 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + 𝑂𝐶
8. Three points, A, B, C, are collinear, such that B is the midpoint of AC. Let O be any non-collinear point. Prove that 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
2𝑂𝐵

*9. If ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , prove that A, B, and C are collinear and B is the midpoint of AC.
𝑂𝐶 = 2𝑂𝐵

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 1 𝑂𝐵
*10. If 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ + 2 𝑂𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , then prove that A, B, and C are collinear and that A divides the segment BC in the ratio of 2: 1
3 3

2
*11. Prove that the centroid (the point where the medians of a triangle intersect) is of the way along each median from the side of
3

the triangle to the vertex.

⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
*12. ∆𝑃𝑄𝑅 is an equilateral triangle, and O is the centroid of the triangle. Let 𝑢 𝑃𝑅 . Express ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄 and 𝑣 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑃𝑂 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑄𝑂 , and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝑂 in
terms of 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣

*13. On the diagram, ABCD is a parallelogram. K is the midpoint of AD, and L and M are the points of trisection of DC. X is the
point of intersection of BK and AL. Determine the value of 𝑘 so that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .
𝐴𝑋 = 𝑘𝐴𝐿

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑂𝑌
*14. Draw any two non-collinear vectors 𝑂𝑋 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . Then construct ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ − 2𝑂𝑌
𝑂𝑃 = 3𝑂𝑋 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . Show that |𝑃𝑌 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ |.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ | = 2|𝑋𝑌

*15. Suppose 𝑢
⃗ and 𝑣 are non-collinear vectors and 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑢
⃗ + 𝑙𝑣 and 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑢
⃗ + 𝑛𝑣 are collinear. Prove that 𝑘𝑙 = 𝑚𝑛

Review
The sine law states that in any ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶, the ratios of each side to the sine of its opposite angle are equal.
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶
= = or = =
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

The cosine law states that in any ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶,

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 𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐 × cos 𝐴
𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑎𝑐 × cos 𝐵
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 × cos 𝐶

Example
Determine the following
a) |𝑢
⃗ | = 6, |𝑣 | = 10, and the angle between the two vectors is 65°. Find |2𝑢
⃗ − 𝑣 |.
b) |𝑢 ⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗ | = 5, |𝑣 | = 6, and the angle between the two vectors is 90°. Find |𝑢 2𝑣 |.
c) |𝑢
⃗ | = 11, |𝑣 | = 17, and the angle between the two vectors is 63°. Find |2𝑢
⃗ + 𝑣 |.

A heading is the direction in which a vessel is steered to overcome other forces, such as wind or current, with the intended resultant
direction being the bearing.

Ground velocity is the velocity of an object relative to the ground. It is the resultant, or bearing velocity, when the heading velocity,
or air velocity, and the effects of wind or current are added.

Example
An airplane is flying at an airspeed of 600 km/h, on a heading of true bearing of 060°. A 50-km/h wind is blowing from a true bearing
of 170°. Determine the ground velocity of the airplane and the direction of flight.

Example
a) A traffic light at an intersection is hanging from two wires of equal length making angles of 10°below the horizontal. The traffic
light weighs 2500 N. What are the tensions in the wires?
b) Now assume the two wires of different length making angles of 30°and 45°below the horizontal. What are the tensions in the
wires?

Practice
1.1-[Flight] An airplane is flying at 550 km/h on a heading of 080°. The wind is blowing at 150 km/h from a quadrant bearing of
𝑁50°𝑊.
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a) Draw a vector diagram of this situation.
b) Find the ground velocity of the airplane.
c) Find the direction of flight.

1.2 A boat with forward velocity of 40 m/s is travelling across a river 𝑁14°𝐸 toward the opposite shore. At the same time, a current
of 10 m/s carries the boat down (W) the river.
a) What is the velocity of the boat relative to the shore?
b) Find the direction of the boat’s motion relative to the shore.

1.3 Nancy is a pilot in Canada’s North. She needs to deliver emergency supplies to a location that is 750 km away. Nancy has set the
aircraft’s velocity to 350 km/h on a northbound heading. The wind velocity is 50 km/h from the east.
a) Determine the resultant ground velocity of the aircraft.
b) Will Nancy be able to make the delivery within 2 h, at this ground velocity?

1.4 A golfer hits a golf ball with an initial velocity of 140 km/h due north. A crosswind blows at 25 km/h from the west.
a) Draw a vector diagram of this situation.
b) Find the resultant velocity of the golf ball immediately after it is hit.

1.5 A rocket is fired at a velocity with initial horizontal component 550 m/s and vertical component 875 m/s.
a) Draw a vector diagram of this situation.
b) What is the ground velocity of the rocket?

1.6 A small aircraft, on a heading of 225°, is cruising at 150 km/h. It is encountering a wind blowing from a bearing of 345° at 50
km/h.
a) Draw a vector diagram of this situation.
b) Determine the aircraft’s ground velocity.

1.7 A cruise ship’s captain sets the ship’s velocity to be 26 knots at a heading of 083°. The current is flowing toward a bearing of
147° at a speed of 4 knots.
a) Draw a vector diagram of this situation.
b) What is the ground velocity of the cruise ship?

1.8 A pilot flies an airplane on a heading of 160° at an airspeed of 250 𝑘𝑚/ℎ. There is a steady wind of 30 𝑘𝑚/ℎ from the
direction of 030°. Calculate the ground speed of the plane. Include a labeled vector diagram.

1.9 A barge is heading directly across a river at 3.5 km/h, while you are walking on the barge at 4 km/h toward the opposite shore. The
current is flowing downstream at 1.4 km/h.
a) What is your actual velocity relative to the shore?
b) What would your velocity be relative to the shore if you were walking toward the shore you just left? Interpret the results of your
calculations.

1.10 A navigator wishes an aircraft to fly on a bearing of 𝑊22°𝑁 with a groundspeed of 300km/h. there is a 60km/h wind from the
direction 𝑆15°𝑊.
a) Draw a vector diagram to illustrate the situation
b) Calculate the heading and airspeed that the navigator should use.
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2.1-[Force] Emily and Clare kick a soccer ball at the same time. Emily kicks it with a force of 120 N at an angle of 60° and Clare
kicks it with a force of 200 N at an angle of 120°. The angles are measured from a line between the centers of the two goals.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.

2.2 In a collision, a car with a momentum of 18 000 kg ·m/s strikes another car whose momentum is 15 000 kg ·m/s. The angle
between their directions of travel is 32°.
a) Draw a vector diagram of this situation.
b) Determine the resultant momentum of the cars upon impact. Round your answer to the nearest thousand.

2.3 Two astronauts use their jet packs to maneuver a part for the space station into position. The first astronaut applies a force of 750
N horizontally, while the second astronaut applies a force of 800 N vertically, relative to Earth.
a) Determine the resultant force on the part.
b) What would be the effect of doubling the vertical force?
c) What would be the effect of doubling both forces?

2.4 Two forces act on an object at an angle of 40° to each other. One force has a magnitude of 200 N, and the resultant has a
magnitude of 600 N.
a) Determine the angle the resultant makes with the 200-N force.
b) Determine the magnitude of the second force.

2.5 A canal barge is being pulled along a canal by two horses, one on either side of the canal. One of the horses is pulling with a force
of 2800N 30° to the right of the canal’s direction. The total force from the two horses must have the direction of the canal.
a) Calculate the force exerted by the second horse if it is pulling 20° to the left of the canal’s direction
b) Calculate the direction that the second horse should be pulling if it exerts a force of 3200N.

*3.1-[Heading] Tanner is a pilot hired to transport a tranquilized bear 200 km due south to an animal preserve. The tranquilizer lasts
for only 1 h, 45 min, so the airplane must reach its destination in 1.5 h or less. The wind is blowing from the west at 35 km/h. Tanner
intends to fly the airplane at 180 km/h.
a) Draw a vector diagram of this situation.
b) Determine the heading Tanner needs to set in order to arrive within the allotted time.
c) Explain your choice of strategies.

*3.2 Andrea flies planes that drop water on forest fires. A forest fire is 500 km away, at a bearing of 230°. A 72-km/h wind is
blowing from a bearing of 182°.
a) Determine the heading that Andrea should set, if the airplane will be flying at
i) 230 km/h
ii) 300 km/h
b) Explain the difference in results.

*3.3 A supply boat needs to cross a river from point A to point B, as shown in the diagram. Point B is 5 km downstream. The boat can
travel at a speed of 20 km/h relative to the water. The current is flowing at 12 km/h. The width of the river to 500 m.
a) Determine the heading the captain should set to cross the river to point B. How long will it take to reach to point B. (18°)
b) Determine the heading the captain must set to return to point A. How long will it take to reach back to point A.

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*3.4 The wind is blowing from the north. The force on the sail is 200 N from a bearing of 100°. The force on the keel is 188 N from a
bearing of 300°. Determine the vector sum of these forces, and show that the boat will move upwind.

*3.5 A swimmer wishes to swim directly across a river that has a current of 2.5m/s. he can swim 3.5m/s in a pool.
a) Calculate the heading that the swimmer must use in order to swim directly across the river, relative to the current direction.
b) Calculate his actual bearing relative to the riverbanks.
c) If the speed of the current gradually increased, what would happen to your answers for parts a) and b)?
d) A less proficient swimmer can only swim 2.0m/s. repeat parts a) and b) for this second swimmer.

*3.6 A quarterback is running forward at 5m/s when he sees an open receiver at an angle of 40°to the right of straight ahead. He can
throw the ball with a speed of 20m/s (relative to himself).
a) Draw a vector diagram to show the quarterback’s velocity, the ball’s velocity relative to the quarterback, and the ball’s velocity
relative to the ground.
b) Calculate the direction in which the quarterback should throw the ball, and the resulting speed of the ball relative to the ground.

*3.7 A plane from Toronto with an airspeed of 1000 km/h wishes to fly to Halifax, 2000 km due east. There is a wind blowing from
𝑁35°𝐸 at a speed of 100 km/h.
a) Draw the diagram to illustrate the situation.
b) In what direction should the plane head?
c) What is the ground speed of the plane?

4.1-[Ramp] A car is stopped on a hill that is inclined at 5°. The brakes apply a force of 2124 N parallel to the road. A force of 9920 N,
perpendicular to the surface of the road, keeps the car from sinking into the ground.
a) Explain why the rectangular components are not vertical and horizontal.
b) The weight of the car is the sum of the forces. What is the weight of the car?

*4.2 Devon is holding his father’s wheelchair on a ramp inclined at an angle of 20°to the horizontal with a force of magnitude 2000 N
parallel to the surface of the ramp. Determine the weight of Devon’s father and his wheelchair and the component of the weight that is
perpendicular to the surface of the ramp.

5.1-[Tension] A box weighing 50 N is hanging from two chains attached to an overhead beam at angles of 70°and 78°to the
horizontal.
a) Draw a vector diagram of this situation.
b) Determine the tensions in the chains.

5.2 During a wind storm, two guy wires supporting a tree are under tension. One guy wire is inclined at an angle of 35°and is under
500 N of tension. The other guy wire is inclined at 40°to the horizontal and is under 400 N of tension. Determine the magnitude and
direction of the resultant force on the guy wires.
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*5.3 A party planner has suspended a 100-N crate filled with balloons from two equally long ropes, each making an angle of 20°
with the horizontal, and attached at a common point on the crate.
a) What is the tension in each rope?
b) If one rope were 1.5 times as long as the other rope, how would this affect the vector diagram? Assume the distance between the
ropes and the total length of rope is the same as in part a).

*5.4 A ladder is supported by four legs that are braced with two crosspieces. The angle separating the legs at the top of the ladder is
20°. When a heavy object of mass 180 kg is placed on the top platform, what is the tension in each crosspiece?

*5.5 An object is hanging from two ropes. One rope has a tension of 200N and makes an angle of 50° with the ceiling. The other
rope makes an angle of 40° with the ceiling.
a) Calculate the tension in the second rope
b) Calculate the weight of the object.

*5.6 A 500N sign is suspended from a metal rod as shown. The rod is supported by a guy wire that makes an angle of 50°with the
wall. Assume that the rod gives no vertical support to the sign
a) Calculate the tension in the wire
b) Calculate the horizontal force of compression in the rod.

5.7 A sign is suspended by two cables that make angles of 25° and 70° with the horizontal. Determine the tensions in the shorter
cable.

5.8 A 30N sign is suspended from a ceiling by two cables that are 2 m long. The cables are attached to the ceiling by bolts that are 3m
apart. Determine the tension in each cable.

6.1-[Rectangular Components] A jet’s take-off velocity has a horizontal component of 228.3 km/h and a vertical component of 74.1
km/h. What is the jet’s displacement from the end of the airstrip after 3 min?

*6.2 A ball is thrown horizontally at 30 m/s from the top of a cliff. The acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 downward. Ignore the
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effects of air resistance.
a) Develop a vector model to determine the velocity of the ball after 𝑡 seconds.
b) What is the velocity of the ball after 2 s?
c) When does the ball fall in a direction that forms a 45°with the ground?

*7. In the glass atrium at the entrance to the city aquarium, a designer wants to suspend a 2400-N sculpture of a dolphin. It will be
secured by three chains, each of length 4 m. The chains are anchored to the ceiling at three points, spaced 3 m apart that form an
equilateral triangle.
a) Determine the magnitude of the tension in each chain.
b) Why would the designer choose to use three anchor points rather than just one or two?

*8. While on a search and rescue mission for a boat lost at sea, a helicopter leaves its pad and travels 3 km at 𝑁30°𝐸, turns and
travels 4 km at 𝑆70°𝐸, turns again and travels 5 km at 𝑆34°𝑊, and makes a final turn and travels 8 km at 𝑁18°𝑊, where the boat is
found. What is the displacement of the boat from the helicopter pad?

Two vectors that are perpendicular to each other and add together to give a vector 𝑣 are called the rectangular vector components
of 𝑣 .

Example
Draw the resultant for each set of rectangular components. Then, calculate the magnitude and direction, relative to the horizontal
vector, of the resultant.
a) A sailboat’s destination is 7 km east and 24 km north.
b) In a numerical model of the Bay of Fundy, the velocity of the water is given using rectangular vector components of 2.5 m/s
northwest and 3.5 m/s southwest.

An equilibrant vector is one that balances another vector or a combination of vectors. It is equal in magnitude but opposite in
direction to the resultant vector. If the equilibrant is added to a given system of vectors, the sum of all vectors, including the
equilibrant, is ⃗0.

Example
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A clown with mass 50 kg is shot out of a cannon with a horizontal force of 1000 N. The vertical force is the acceleration due to gravity,
which is 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 , times the mass of the clown.
a) Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the clown.
b) Find the magnitude and direction of the equilibrant force on the clown.

Example
A soccer ball is kicked at a speed of 60 km/h, on a heading of quadrant bearing of 𝑁30°𝑊. The vertical force is the acceleration due
to gravity, which is 9.8 m/s2, times the mass of the ball, which is 0.45kg. Determine the ground velocity and the direction of the soccer
ball.

A vector can be resolved into two perpendicular vectors whose sum is the given vector. This is often done when, for example, both
vertical and horizontal forces are acting on an object. These are called the rectangular components of the force.

⃗ 𝒉 (horizontal component)
Consider a vector 𝑣 at an angle of 𝜃 to the horizontal. It can be resolved into rectangular components 𝒗
⃗ 𝒗 (vertical component), where 𝑣 = 𝑣ℎ + 𝑣𝑣 .
and 𝒗

⃗ 𝒉 | = |𝑭
The horizontal component can be calculated using |𝑭 ⃗ | 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽. The vertical component can be calculated using |𝑭
⃗ 𝒗| =
⃗ | 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽
|𝑭

Example
A tow truck is pulling a car from a ditch. The tension in the cable is 25 000 N at an angle of 50° to the horizontal.
a) Draw a diagram showing the resolution of the force into its rectangular components.
b) Determine the magnitudes of the horizontal and vertical components of the force.

Example
A box weighing 40 N is resting on a ramp that is inclined at an angle of 15°. Resolve the weight into rectangular components that keep
the box at rest.

Practice
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1. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of each force.

c) Magnitude 560 N, 𝜃 = 21° counterclockwise from the horizontal

d) Magnitude 21 N, 𝜃 = 56° counterclockwise from the horizontal
e) Magnitude 1200 N, 𝜃 = 43° counterclockwise from the horizontal
f) Magnitude 17 N, 𝜃 = 15° clockwise from the vertical
g) Magnitude 400 N, 𝜃 = 12° clockwise from the vertical

2. A 35-N box is resting on a ramp that is inclined at an angle of 30° to the horizontal. Resolve the weight of the box into the
rectangular components keeping it at rest.

3. An airplane is climbing at an angle of 24° from the horizontal at an airspeed of 600 km/h. Determine the rate of climb and
horizontal groundspeed.

4. The handle of a lawnmower you are pushing makes an angle of 60° to the ground.
a) How could you increase the horizontal forward force you are applying to the lawnmower without increasing the total force?
b) What are some of the disadvantages of your method in part a)?

5. Anna-Maria is pulling a wagon loaded with paving stones with a total mass of 100 kg. She is applying a force on the handle at an
angle of 25° with the ground. The horizontal force on the handle is 85 N.
a) Draw a diagram of the situation.
b) Find
i) The total force on the handle
ii) The vertical component of the force on the handle
Round your answers to the nearest tenth of a newton.

6. An airplane taking off moves at 500km/h at an angle of 4° to the horizontal in the direction 𝑊30°𝑁 for 10 min.
a) Calculate its final altitude and horizontal displacement from the airport.
b) After the initial climb, the plane decreases its angle of ascent to 2°, reduces its speed to 400km/h and changes course to 𝑊50°𝑁,
after 10 min on this new course, what is the horizontal displacement of the plane from the runway?

7. A road is inclined at an angle of 5° to the horizontal. What force must be applied at a further 5° to the roadbed in order to keep a
15 000-N car from rolling down the hill?

8. A 200-N box is held by two cables fastened to the ceiling at angles of 50° and 70° to the horizontal.
a) Draw a diagram of this situation.
b) Determine the tension in each cable.
c) If the cable hanging at 70° to the horizontal were lengthened, what would happen to the tensions? Justify your response.

9. The Victoria Day fireworks at Daffodil Park are fired at an angle of 85° with the horizontal. The technician firing the shells
expects them to explode about 100 m in the air, 4.8 seconds after they are fired.
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a) Find the initial velocity of a shell fired from ground level.
b) Safety barriers will be placed around the launch area to protect spectators. If the barriers are placed 100 m from the point directly
below the explosion of the shells, how far should the barriers be from the point where the fireworks are launched?
c) What assumptions are you making in part b)?

*10. An applied force of 750N is applied to a crate at an angle of 5° below the horizontal. The crate is on a ramp that is inclined at an
angle of 10° above the horizontal. Calculate the amount of work done on the crate by the applied force as the crate is pushed 7.5m up
the ramp.

*11. A pilot is set to take off from an airport that has two runways, one at due north and one at 330°. A 50-km/h wind is blowing
from a bearing of 335°.
a) What are the components of the wind vector for each runway?
b) An airspeed of 160 km/h is required for takeoff. What groundspeed is needed for each runway?
c) Pilots prefer to take off into the wind, where possible. Which runway should be used? Explain.
d) The aircraft manual mandates a maximum crosswind component of 20 km/h. Could the pilot safely select either runway for takeoff?
Justify your answer.

*12. An object is hanging from two ropes anchored to the ceiling. One of the ropes makes an angle of 55° with the ceiling and has a
tension of 270N. The other rope makes an angle of 42° with the ceiling. Calculate the weight of the object.

*13. A crate is being pulled up a ramp inclined at an angle of 20° by an applied force of 350N. The crate weighs 500N. There is a
frictional force resisting the applied force. The frictional force has magnitude 0.20𝐹𝑁 , where 𝐹𝑁 is the contact force, equal to the
component of the crate’s weight that is perpendicular to the ramp.
a) Resolve the weight into components parallel and perpendicular to the ramp.
b) Calculate the magnitudes of the contact force and the force of friction.
c) Calculate the total force on the crate.
d) Why is it better to resolve the forces into components parallel and perpendicular to the ramp rather than resolving them into vertical
and horizontal components?

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