An introduction to

vectors
Definition of a vector
• A vector is an object that has both a
magnitude and a direction.
• Geometrically, we can picture a vector as a
directed line segment, whose length is the
magnitude of the vector and with an arrow
indicating the direction.
• The direction of the vector is from its tail to
its head.
Definition of a vector
• Two vectors are the same if they have the same magnitude and
direction.
• This means that if we take a vector and translate it to a new position
(without rotating it), then the vector we obtain at the end of this
process is the same vector we had in the beginning.
• Two examples of vectors are those that represent force and velocity.
Both force and velocity are in a particular direction.
• The magnitude of the vector would indicate the strength of the force
or the speed associated with the velocity.
Definition of a vector
• There is one important exception to vectors
having a direction.
• The zero vector, denoted by a boldface 0, is
the vector of zero length.
• Since it has no length, it is not pointing in
any particular direction.
• There is only one vector of zero length, so
we can speak of the zero vector.
Components of a
Vector
Components of a Vector
• In a two-dimensional coordinate system, any vector can be broken
into x-component and y-component.
Components of a
Vector

• For example, in the figure shown below, the

vector v⃗ is broken into two components, vx
and vy .
• Let the angle between the vector and its x -
component be θ .
 Components of a Vector

• The vector and its components form a right-angled triangle as shown

below.

• In the above figure, the components can be quickly read. The vector
in the component form is
Components of a
Vector
• The trigonometric ratios give the relation between
magnitude of the vector and the components of the
vector.
• Using the Pythagorean Theorem in the right triangle with
lengths vx and vy:

• Here, the numbers shown are the magnitudes of the

vectors.
 • Case 1:
Given components of a vector, find the magnitude and
Components of a direction of the vector.
Vector
 • Case 2: Given the magnitude and direction of a vector, find
Components of a the components of the vector.
Vector
Example:
Vector Algebra
Vector Algebra

Just like in usual Algebra,

However, in the case of
we also perform arithmetic
multiplication, vectors have
operations
two terminologies, such as
such as addition,
dot product and cross
subtraction, multiplication
product.
on vectors.
 • Let us consider there are two vectors P and Q, then the sum
Addition of of these two vectors can be performed when the tail of vector
Q meets with the head of vector A.
Vectors • 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
 • 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,
Subtraction make it -Q.
• Now, we need to add vector P and -Q.
Of Vectors • Thus, the direction of the vectors are opposite
each other, but the magnitude remains the same.
• P – Q = P + (-Q)
 • 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
Multiplication negative, then the direction of
vector kA will be opposite to the direction of vector
of Vectors 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
 Dot Product

If P and Q are both in If P and Q are both

the same direction, orthogonal, i.e. θ =
i.e. θ = 0°, then; 90°, then;
• P.Q = |P| |Q| • P.Q = 0 [since cos
90° = 0]
Thank you