Lesson 1

Draw any quadrilateral

Find the midpoints of each side

Connect them in order…

And you get a parallelogram

This is always true no matter what quadrilateral you draw…

Geometric problems like this can be understood using vectors.

Vectors are also used to understand physical situations, such as the motion of
objects acted on by different forces, as you will see further in A-Level Mechanics.
 A vector describes direction and length
What is a vector? You have already met column vectors
when describing shape translations
Eg Translate shape A using the vector: Eg Write down the vector needed to
translate from:
to obtain B to obtain C
F to E E to D
1 left, 2 up 3 right, 5 down

6 left, 1 down

B E
D
A 0 left/right, 5 up

C
 Vector notation
A vector describes the direction and length of a movement

Vectors can also be represented by a single letter in bold or underlined

or by the letters at the start and finish with an arrow above them

R
 Column vectors

On your white board, write down column vectors for:

Cut out and match up each diagram, pair of vectors a and b, and resultant vector a+b
Can you spot the quick way of working out the resultant vectors?
 Vector mazes
Use vectors to get through the maze. Record your choices in the table,
using Pythagoras’s theorem to work out the exact length of your route.
Play against an opponent – the person with the smallest route length wins.

Exact length
Vector used
of vector

Total (1dp)
Maze 1

Exact length
Vector used
of vector

Total (1dp)
Maze 2

Exact length
Vector used
of vector

Total (1dp)
Maze 3

Exact length
Vector used
of vector

Total (1dp)
Maze 4

Exact length
Vector used
of vector

Total (1dp)
Lesson 2
 Vector addition

Like normal addition, order doesn’t matter when adding vectors

 Column vectors
1. Draw the following column vectors:

a) b) c)

d) e) f)
 Column vectors
1. Draw the following column vectors:

a) b) c)

d) e) f)
2. Write down as a column vector:

a) b) c)

d) e) f)
2. Write down as a column vector:

a) b) c)

d) e) f)
3. P is the point (1,5), Q is the point (9,3) R
P
a) Write down the vector
Write your answer as a column vector M Q

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

M is the midpoint of PQ PQR is a triangle.

(b) Find the vector
(c) Find the vector
Write your answer as a column vector
Write your answer as a column vector
3. P is the point (1,5), Q is the point (9,3) R
P
a) Write down the vector
Write your answer as a column vector M Q

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

M is the midpoint of PQ PQR is a triangle.

(b) Find the vector
(c) Find the vector
Write your answer as a column vector
Write your answer as a column vector
4. The diagram is a sketch.
P is the point (2, 3)
Q is the point (6, 6)
a) Write down the vector Q
Write your answer as a column vector
P

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

PQRS is a parallelogram.

(b) Find the vector

Write your answer as a column vector
4. The diagram is a sketch. R
P is the point (2, 3)
Q is the point (6, 6) S
a) Write down the vector Q
Write your answer as a column vector
P
R is above Q
Diagram NOT accurately drawn

PQRS is a parallelogram.

(b) Find the vector

Write your answer as a column vector
 Vector addition

Like normal addition, order doesn’t matter when adding vectors

Lesson 3
 Parallel vectors

On your white board, write down vectors for:

 Parallel vectors

On your white board, write down vectors for:

 Parallel vectors
Cut out and match up the sets of parallel vectors
 The matching sets

In relation to the first vector in each set,

what will the other two look like?
Label all vectors as multiples of a, b or c

Can you explain why it forms a loop?

Label all vectors as multiples of a, b or c

Can you explain why it forms a loop?

Create your own loop diagram using multiples of three vectors of your choice
Lesson 4
 Vector addition

P E
Q

H
F

S G R

On your white board, write down

vectors, in terms of and , for:
 Comparing vectors

P E
Q

H
F

S G R

On your white board, write down

the ratio of the lengths of the lines:
 Proving three points are on a line
ABC are on a line if

Eg show that A, B and C

are on a line

C
1. Which of these points lie on straight lines? Prove your answers.
(a) HEC (b) FDE (c) MKI
(d) BIP (e) BHN (f) AGN
2. Work out the ratio of the lengths of the line segments
(b) AL:LP (b) KG:GB (c) FI:IJ
(d) KL:LJ (e) KE:EC (f) MK:KC
Which of these points lie on straight lines? Prove your answers.
(a) HEC (b) FDE (c) MKI (d) BIP (e) BHN (f) AGN

YES!

YES!

NO!

NO!

YES!

NO!
Work out the ratio of the lengths of the line segments
(a) AL:LP (b) KG:GB (c) FI:IJ
(d) KL:LJ (e) KE:EC (f) MK:KC
Lesson 5+6
 Harder vector problems
B
N
M
C

A P On your white board,

write down vectors for:
 Vector exam questions
1. PQRS is a parallelogram. Q
R
Find vectors for: a
a)
P S
b) b

c) where X is the midpoint of QS

d)

Y is the point on the line RS such that SY : YR = 2 : 1

Find vectors for:

e) f)

g)
 Vector exam questions
1. PQRS is a parallelogram. Q
R
Find vectors for: a X Y
a)
P S
b) b

c) where X is the midpoint of QS

d)

Y is the point on the line RS such that SY : YR = 2 : 1

Find vectors for:

e) f)

g)
2. PQRS is a trapezium.
R S
QP is parallel to RS.

QP = 3RS
Express in terms of a and/or c
Q P
(i) (ii)

Diagrams NOT
accurately drawn

3. OAB is a triangle. A
P is the point on AB such that AP : PB = 2 : 1
Write in terms of a and b

P
O
B
2. PQRS is a trapezium.
R S
QP is parallel to RS.

QP = 3RS
Express in terms of a and/or c
Q P
(i) (ii)

Diagrams NOT
accurately drawn

3. OAB is a triangle. A
P is the point on AB such that AP : PB = 2 : 1
Write in terms of a and b

P
O
B
4. OPQ is a triangle.
T is the point on PQ for which PT : TQ = 2 : 1 Q
T
(a) Write down, in terms of a and b,
an expression for

O P
(b) Express in terms of a and b.
Give your answer in its simplest form.
Diagrams NOT
accurately drawn

5. OABC is a trapezium. X B
A
OC is parallel to AB.
AB = 2OC
X is the point on AB such that AX:XB = 3:1.
Express in terms of a and c.
O C
4. OPQ is a triangle.
T is the point on PQ for which PT : TQ = 2 : 1 Q
T
(a) Write down, in terms of a and b,
an expression for

O P
(b) Express in terms of a and b.
Give your answer in its simplest form.
Diagrams NOT
accurately drawn

5. OABC is a trapezium. X B
A
OC is parallel to AB.
AB = 2OC
X is the point on AB such that AX:XB = 3:1.
Express in terms of a and c.
O C
6. OPQR is a trapezium with PQ parallel to OR. Diagram NOT
accurately drawn
P M
Q
M is the midpoint of PQ
N is the midpoint of OR

(a) Find the vector

in terms of a and b. O R
N

X is the midpoint of MN.Y is the midpoint of QR

(b) Prove that XY is parallel to OR..
6. OPQR is a trapezium with PQ parallel to OR. Diagram NOT
accurately drawn
P M
Q
M is the midpoint of PQ
N is the midpoint of OR X Y

(a) Find the vector

in terms of a and b. O R
N

X is the midpoint of MN.Y is the midpoint of QR

(b) Prove that XY is parallel to OR..
2 lines AB and CD are parallel if
for some value k
 C
7. OAC, OBX and BQC are all straight lines

and A
Q

X
O B
(a) Find, in terms of a and b,
the vectors which represent:
(i) (ii)

Given that
(b) show that AQX is a straight line.
 C
7. OAC, OBX and BQC are all straight lines

and A
Q

X
O B
(a) Find, in terms of a and b,
the vectors which represent:
(i) (ii)

Given that
(b) show that AQX is a straight line.

3 points ABC are on a straight line if

for some value k and AQX is a straight line.
8. OABC is a parallelogram.
2
P is the point on AC such that AP = AC
3
A B

(a) Find the vector

Give your answer in terms of a and c
P

O C

The midpoint of CB is M.
(b) Prove that OPM is a straight line.
8. OABC is a parallelogram.
2
P is the point on AC such that AP = AC
3
A B

(a) Find the vector

Give your answer in terms of a and c
P M

O C

The midpoint of CB is M.
(b) Prove that OPM is a straight line.

As parallelogram,

and OPM is a straight line.

9. CDEF is a quadrilateral with C D

(a) Express in terms of a and b. M

X
(b) Prove that FE is parallel to CD.
F E

Diagram NOT
accurately drawn
M is the midpoint of DE.

(c) Express in terms of a and b.

X is the point on FM such that FX : XM = 4 : 1

(d) Prove that C, X and E lie on the same straight line.
9. CDEF is a quadrilateral with C D

(a) Express in terms of a and b. M

X
(b) Prove that FE is parallel to CD.
F E

so parallel Diagram NOT

accurately drawn
M is the midpoint of DE.

(c) Express in terms of a and b.

X is the point on FM such that FX : XM = 4 : 1

(d) Prove that C, X and E lie on the same straight line.

and CXE is a straight line.

10.The diagram shows a regular hexagon ABCDEF with centre O.
A B

(a) Express in terms of a and/or b X

(i)
F C
O
(ii)

X is the midpoint of BC.

(b) Express in terms of a and/or b E D

Y is the point on AB extended, such that AB : BY = 3:2

(c) Prove that E, X and Y lie on the same straight line
10.The diagram shows a regular hexagon ABCDEF with centre O.
A B Y

(a) Express in terms of a and/or b X

(i)
F C
O
(ii)

X is the midpoint of BC.

(b) Express in terms of a and/or b E D

Y is the point on AB extended, such that AB : BY = 3:2

(c) Prove that E, X and Y lie on the same straight line

and EXY is a straight line.

A regular hexagon can be split into 6 equilateral triangles

Proving that the midpoints of any quadrilateral
form a parallelogram using vectors
C

F
G
a
B
D

E
H

Therefore 2 pairs of opposite sides with the

same length and direction - a parallelogram!
Lesson 7
 Leap Frog Investigation

• Mark 3 points on a square grid, call them A, B and C

• Mark another point, 1, your starting point

• Leap frog from 1 over A, to obtain 2.

• Then leap frog from 1 over B, to obtain 3.

• Then over C, then back over A, B, C, etc

• Keep leaping until something interesting happens…

After two rounds,
you return to 1.

Can you prove this

using vectors?

Resultant vector = 0