Lecture 01

Basic Concepts Algebraic Representation Vector Algebra
Lecture 1: Introduction to Vectors
E. Mujuni
November 30, 2020

Basic Concepts
Physical quantities are either scalars or vectors.
Scalars, e.g. 1, −5, . . . , π, x 2 , have magnitude only.
Examples of scalars include mass, temperature, volume, time,

pressure, distance, etc.
Vectors have magnitude and direction. Physical examples

include force, velocity, acceleration, momentum, torque, electric
and magnetic field, displacement, etc.
A vector is represented geometrically by a directed line segment.

The arrow at one end of the line segment gives the direction of
the vector and its length gives its magnitude.
Basic Concepts



Basic Concepts



Basic Concepts



Basic Concepts



Example
Bq

a a
A q
Figure: An example of vector representation

Notation
A vector which starts from point A and ends at point B is denoted
−→
by AB. Note that nowhere in the definition of a vector is there
mention of the words “starting point” or “end point”.
In other words, regardless of their location, two vectors with the

same direction and magnitude are the same vector.
For this reason we prefer to refer to vectors by name, e.g. a,

−→
rather than using the start and end points as in AB.
The magnitude or length of a vector a is denoted |a|.

Notation
−→


−→

Notation
−→


−→

Notation
−→


−→

Representation
Vectors are not only geometric quantities, but also may be
represented algebraically.
For example consider the vector a shown below. This vector has
components 2 and 3 in the x and y directions respectively.
Thus, we write the vector a = (2, 3)
z
y 6
6
a 3 v *3
2 -y
2 5
-x
x
Figure:
Similarly the three-dimensional vector v shown below, which has

components 2, 5 and 3 in the x, y and z directions is written as
v = (2, 5, 3)
Representation
z
y 6
6
a 3 v *3
2 -y
2 5
-x
x
Figure:

v = (2, 5, 3)
Representation
z
y 6
6
a 3 v *3
2 -y
2 5
-x
x
Figure:

v = (2, 5, 3)
Representation
z
y 6
6
a 3 v *3
2 -y
2 5
-x
x
Figure:

v = (2, 5, 3)
Negative of a vector
The vector −a is a vector of the same length but opposite

direction Algebraically, we have, in general, that if v = (a, b, c)
then −v = (−a, −b, −c).
For example, let a = (2, 3). The negative of a is −a = (−2, −3)

as shown below.
-2

a -3
3 −a

2
Figure: A vector with its negation
Negative of a vector
The vector −a is a vector of the same length but opposite

direction Algebraically, we have, in general, that if v = (a, b, c)
then −v = (−a, −b, −c).
For example, let a = (2, 3). The negative of a is −a = (−2, −3)

as shown below.
-2

a -3
3 −a

2
Figure: A vector with its negation
Scalar Multiple of a Vector

The vector k a (where k is a scalar constant) is called a scalar
multiple of a. k a is a vector of length |k| times the length of a and
points in the same direction as a if k > 0 and the opposite
direction if k < 0.
Algebraically, we have, in general, that if
v = (a, b, c) then k v = (ka, kb, kc)
Example
If a = (2, 3), the vector 2a = (4, 6).
If v = (4, 8, 2) then 12 v = (2, 4, 1).


direction if k < 0.
Example
If a = (2, 3), the vector 2a = (4, 6).
If v = (4, 8, 2) then 12 v = (2, 4, 1).


direction if k < 0.
Example
If a = (2, 3), the vector 2a = (4, 6).
If v = (4, 8, 2) then 12 v = (2, 4, 1).


direction if k < 0.
Example
If a = (2, 3), the vector 2a = (4, 6).
If v = (4, 8, 2) then 12 v = (2, 4, 1).

Vector Addition and Subtraction
The sum of two vectors of two vectors is obtain by adding the

corresponding components. Algebraically, we have, in general,
that if
a = (a1 , a2 , a3 ) and b = (b1 , b2 , b3 ) then a+b = (a1 +b1 , a2 +b2 , a3 +b3 ).
Example
If a = (2, 1) and b = (1, 3) then a + b = (3, 4).
Subtraction of vectors is carried out using addition and the

equality a − b = a + (−b).

that if
Example
If a = (2, 1) and b = (1, 3) then a + b = (3, 4).


that if
Example
If a = (2, 1) and b = (1, 3) then a + b = (3, 4).

The following theorem state basic properties of vector additions.
Theorem
Let u, v, w be vectors, and let c, d be scalar. Then the following
relationship hold

u + (v + w) = (u + v) + w
Associative laws
c(dv) = (cd)d
u+v=v+u Commutative law

(c + d)v = cv + dv
Distributive laws
c(u + v) = cu + v
Proof: Exercise
Theorem
relationship hold

u + (v + w) = (u + v) + w
Associative laws
c(dv) = (cd)d

(c + d)v = cv + dv
Distributive laws
c(u + v) = cu + v
Proof: Exercise
Theorem
relationship hold

u + (v + w) = (u + v) + w
Associative laws
c(dv) = (cd)d

(c + d)v = cv + dv
Distributive laws
c(u + v) = cu + v
Proof: Exercise

Lecture 01

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Basic Concepts Algebraic Representation Vector Algebra

Lecture 1: Introduction to Vectors

November 30, 2020

Scalars, e.g. 1, −5, . . . , π, x 2 , have magnitude only.

Examples of scalars include mass, temperature, volume, time,

Vectors have magnitude and direction. Physical examples

A vector is represented geometrically by a directed line segment.

Scalars, e.g. 1, −5, . . . , π, x 2 , have magnitude only.

Examples of scalars include mass, temperature, volume, time,

Vectors have magnitude and direction. Physical examples

A vector is represented geometrically by a directed line segment.

Scalars, e.g. 1, −5, . . . , π, x 2 , have magnitude only.

Examples of scalars include mass, temperature, volume, time,

Vectors have magnitude and direction. Physical examples

A vector is represented geometrically by a directed line segment.

Scalars, e.g. 1, −5, . . . , π, x 2 , have magnitude only.

Examples of scalars include mass, temperature, volume, time,

Vectors have magnitude and direction. Physical examples

A vector is represented geometrically by a directed line segment.

Scalars, e.g. 1, −5, . . . , π, x 2 , have magnitude only.

Examples of scalars include mass, temperature, volume, time,

Vectors have magnitude and direction. Physical examples

A vector is represented geometrically by a directed line segment.

Figure: An example of vector representation

In other words, regardless of their location, two vectors with the

For this reason we prefer to refer to vectors by name, e.g. a,

The magnitude or length of a vector a is denoted |a|.

In other words, regardless of their location, two vectors with the

For this reason we prefer to refer to vectors by name, e.g. a,

The magnitude or length of a vector a is denoted |a|.

In other words, regardless of their location, two vectors with the

For this reason we prefer to refer to vectors by name, e.g. a,

The magnitude or length of a vector a is denoted |a|.

In other words, regardless of their location, two vectors with the

For this reason we prefer to refer to vectors by name, e.g. a,

The magnitude or length of a vector a is denoted |a|.

Similarly the three-dimensional vector v shown below, which has

Similarly the three-dimensional vector v shown below, which has

Similarly the three-dimensional vector v shown below, which has

Similarly the three-dimensional vector v shown below, which has

The vector −a is a vector of the same length but opposite

For example, let a = (2, 3). The negative of a is −a = (−2, −3)

The vector −a is a vector of the same length but opposite

For example, let a = (2, 3). The negative of a is −a = (−2, −3)

Scalar Multiple of a Vector

Algebraically, we have, in general, that if

v = (a, b, c) then k v = (ka, kb, kc)

If v = (4, 8, 2) then 12 v = (2, 4, 1).

Scalar Multiple of a Vector

Algebraically, we have, in general, that if

v = (a, b, c) then k v = (ka, kb, kc)

If v = (4, 8, 2) then 12 v = (2, 4, 1).

Scalar Multiple of a Vector

Algebraically, we have, in general, that if

v = (a, b, c) then k v = (ka, kb, kc)

If v = (4, 8, 2) then 12 v = (2, 4, 1).

Scalar Multiple of a Vector

Algebraically, we have, in general, that if

v = (a, b, c) then k v = (ka, kb, kc)

If v = (4, 8, 2) then 12 v = (2, 4, 1).

Vector Addition and Subtraction

The sum of two vectors of two vectors is obtain by adding the