Vectors in two dimensions Introduction

Definition

ask.EEiEa ifeng.si aea

irecnon
Y.g.MY
distance
T.fm he f
displacement
speed velocity
Example A
2mi 200m
distance 480m
80m 80m
displacement 80 in North

start 200m

Notation
of a

PI V

magnitude PQ magnitude V1 magnitude Iv

Warning a common mistake is to write QT when
PQ is intended
QP and PQ have the same magnitude
but opposite direction
Note vectors are specified by a position You can
think of them as floating on the plane and not
fixed to a particular coordinate

Vector Algebra

Vector equality two vectors are equal if and only if

they have the same magnitude and direction regardless
of position on a plane or inspace

we denote equality of two vectors and by

eg
Y
y

Therefore a vector can be moved parallel to itself

Addition of geometric vectors
If Y and Y are vectors then we can move them
to find 4th
tieg.tota.it
1 1 9th

eg

I
g g

vector addition is succinctly captured by pointtopointnotation

If P Q R are points then

PQ QE PI

Parallelogram law of addition The vector sum the is

represented by the diagonal of the parallelogram formed
using the sides and

LAY I

Hence vector addition is commutative that is Ith we

Vector addition is also associative that is qty Y the
Exercise Prove the associative law of vector addition digramatically
 Multiplication by a scalar
Let X be a scalar that is XER
Positive case 0 then
XY absolutevalue
points in the direction as magnitude
and has a magnitude of 1 11 1 1111 XIII
eg If 71 we stretch to form Xk
If octal we shrink to form XY
9

Negative case X 0 the

points in the opposite direction as
and has a magnitude of 1 11 1111
e
g
2K

what if we add Y and

It
 The zero vector Q has 0 length
and points in every direction

Using point to point notation we see

ÑQ QT PP and QP FQ QÑ
and so
PT IP and QT PQ

zero case 1 0 Multiplying by the zero

scalar gives the zero vector

other properties for scalars t.ME R

µY XML
Kth XY
MY XY MY
I I
XII XY
C11 K
subtraction of vectors

For any nectors and Y

Y define their difference f
by adding the negative of to

E C
9

Y Y
Exercise
1 Given the three vectors 9,1 and construct
the following a b n
9
a
9 2
b
c

a b 4ᵗʰ c
2
a
a a
if
2 2
2 Express the following in terms of a and b
DI a β
a
1 A
b AT a
k k
c BD f q 9ᵗʰ 1 9
c

3 Let A be the midpoint of PQ

show r P Q

o
a
Ex 10.1 New Senior Maths
Proof template expand apply something contract
 OP PB R Q QI
28 OF PR QB OF
OF Q
OF Q
03 1108 09

4 Prove the midpoints of the sides of

a quadrilateral form a parallelogram