-> What is vector algebra?

:
Definition
A vector is an object which has both magnitudes and direction. It is usually represented
by an arrow which shows the direction(→) and its length shows the magnitude. The
arrow which indicates the vector has an arrowhead and its opposite end is the tail.

It is denoted as �→.
The magnitude of the vector is represented as |V|. Two vectors are said to be equal if they have
equal magnitudes and equal direction.

Vector Algebra Operations

Addition of Vectors
Let us consider there are two vectors P and Q, then the sum of these two vectors can
be performed when the tail of vector Q meets with the head of vector A. And during this
addition, the magnitude and direction of the vectors should not change. The vector
addition follows two important laws, which are;

 Commutative Law: P + Q = Q + P
 Associative Law: P + (Q + R) = (P + Q) + R

Subtraction Of Vectors
Here, the direction of other vectors is reversed and then the addition is performed on
both the given vectors. If P and Q are the vectors, for which the subtraction method has
to be performed, then we invert the direction of another vector say for Q, make it -Q.
Now, we need to add vector P and -Q. Thus, the direction of the vectors are opposite
each other, but the magnitude remains the same.

 P – Q = P + (-Q)

Multiplication of Vectors
If k is a scalar quantity and it is multiplied by a vector A, then the scalar multiplication is
given by kA. If k is positive then the direction of the vector kA is the same as vector A,
but if the value of k is negative, then the direction of vector kA will be opposite to the
direction of vector A. And the magnitude of the vector kA is given by |kA|.

Dot Product
The dot product is often called a scalar product. It is represented using a dot(.) between
two vectors. Here, two coordinate vectors of equal length are multiplied in such a way
that they result in a single number. So basically when we take the scalar product of two
vectors, the result is either a number of a scalar quantity. Suppose P and Q are two
vectors, then the dot product for both the vectors is given by;

 P.Q = |P| |Q| cos θ

If P and Q are both in the same direction, i.e. θ = 0°, then;

 P.Q = |P| |Q|

If P and Q are both orthogonal, i.e. θ = 90°, then;

 P.Q = 0 [since cos 90° = 0]

In vector algebra, if two vectors are given as;

P = [P1,P2,P3,P4,….,Pn] and Q = [Q1,Q2,Q3,Q4,….,Qn]

Then their dot product is given by;

 P.Q = P1Q1+P2Q2+P3Q3+……….PnQn

Cross Product
A cross product is denoted by the multiplication sign(x) between two vectors. It is a
binary vector operation, defined in a three-dimensional system. If P and Q are two
independent vectors, then the result of the cross product of these two vectors (P x Q) is
perpendicular to both the vectors and normal to the plane that contains both the vectors.
It is represented by;

 P x Q = |P| |Q| sin θ

-> Vector Algebra Formulas:
Apart from the addition, subtraction and multiplication, there are some other formulas of
vectors in algebra. They are:
-> How to calculate the area of a triangle using
Algebra:
The area of a triangle is defined as the total region that is enclosed by the three sides
of any particular triangle. Basically, it is equal to half of the base times height, i.e. A =
1/2 × b × h. Hence, to find the area of a tri-sided polygon, we have to know the base (b)
and height (h) of it. It is applicable to all types of triangles, whether it is scalene,
isosceles or equilateral. To be noted, the base and height of the triangle are
perpendicular to each other. The unit of area is measured in square units (m2, cm2).
(Example of calculating the area of a triangle using)
algebra
-> How to calculate the area of a triangle using
vector algebra:
(Example of calculating the area of a triangle using)
vector algebra
(Conclusion)