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Understanding Vectors in Mathematics

A vector in mathematics is a quantity defined by both magnitude and direction, with examples including velocity and force. Vectors can be represented using two letters with an arrow indicating direction, and types include position vectors, free vectors, zero vectors, and unit vectors. The document also discusses vector addition through the triangular and parallelogram laws, and provides examples involving the coordinates of points in a triangle.

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5 views5 pages

Understanding Vectors in Mathematics

A vector in mathematics is a quantity defined by both magnitude and direction, with examples including velocity and force. Vectors can be represented using two letters with an arrow indicating direction, and types include position vectors, free vectors, zero vectors, and unit vectors. The document also discusses vector addition through the triangular and parallelogram laws, and provides examples involving the coordinates of points in a triangle.

Uploaded by

t7t6qhbv8f
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Describe /define the term Vector

In Mathematics a Vector is a quantity that has both size(magnitude, length ) and direction(angle)
Examples
1. Velocity
2. Gravitational pull/weight
3. Bearing
4. Force

NonExamples
1. Mass
2. Length
3. Area
4. Volume

How are vectors represented?


Vectors are traditionally named using two letters with an arrow indicating its direction.
Example

Types of vectors

Position Vector
starts at the origin (0,0) and has O at the
beginning of its name e.g. OA

Free Vector
Does not start at the origin and has no O at the
start of its name. e.g. BC

Zero Vector - has no magnitude


Unit Vector - magnitude is 1
The Component form of a vector =

AB=

CD → free vector

CD = Endpoint - starting point

EXAMPLE
The diagram below shows two position vectors OA and OB.

Write as a column vector, in the form

a) OA

b) OB
Equal and Opposite Vectors

Two vectors are equal if they have the same component form

Two vectors are opposite if they Are going in opposite direction or their vector sum is zero

The Magnitude of a vector


Same as the length of the line segment

The Direction of a vector


The size of the angle between the vector and the positive side of the x axis
Given that AB = -3 and OA = 2 determine
4 5

1. The magnitude of AB

2. The direction of OA

The Triangular Law of Addition

If two vectors AB and BC are arranged "nose and tail" then their sum/resultant is given as

AC = AB + BC

The Parallelogram Law of Addition


If two vectors AD and AB are arranged "tail and tail" then we use the properties of the
parallelogram to determine the vector sum/resultant

Example on Add and Subtract two Vectors


ABC is a triangle. The coordinates of the points A, B and C are (2,2), (6,2) and (4,6) respectively.

(a) Write in the form ,the position vectors of A, B and C

(b)Write in the form the vectors

(i) AB

(ii) AC

(iii) BC

(c) Show by a vector method that triangle ABC is an isosceles triangle.

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