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File Introduction To Vectors NOTES

This document introduces vectors and their uses in geometry. It defines vectors as representing movement in a given direction, and distinguishes between scalar and vector quantities. Vectors can be represented by arrows or letters, and equal vectors have the same direction and magnitude. Basic vector algebra is also introduced.

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27 views

File Introduction To Vectors NOTES

This document introduces vectors and their uses in geometry. It defines vectors as representing movement in a given direction, and distinguishes between scalar and vector quantities. Vectors can be represented by arrows or letters, and equal vectors have the same direction and magnitude. Basic vector algebra is also introduced.

Uploaded by

josephmosho259
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

1.

VECTORS

This unit introduces the idea of vectors as a way of doing geometry in two or three
Dimensions. When you have completed it, you should

• Understand the idea of a translation, and how it can be expressed either in column form
or in terms of basic unit vectors
• Know and be able to use the rules of vector algebra
• Understand the idea of displacement and position vectors, and use these to prove
Geometrical results
• Appreciate similarities and differences between geometry in two and three dimensions
• Know the definition of the scalar product, and its expression in terms of components
• Be able to use the rules of vector algebra which involve scalar products
• Be able to use scalar products to solve geometrical problems in two and three
Dimensions, using general vector algebra or components.
READING

1.1 Introduction
This unit focuses on Vectors. Vectors are used to describe movement in a given direction. They
are used to describe straight lines in 3D( in a similar way to 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 being used for 2D
straight line graphs)

Fig. 1.1
This is shown in Fig. 1.1, where several points move in the same direction through the same
distance. Such a line translation is called a vector .
In practice, drawing several arrows, as in Fig. 1.1, is not a convenient way of representing a
vector. It is usual to draw just a single arrow, as in Fig. 1.2. But you must understand that the
position of the arrow in the (x, y)-plane is of no significance. This arrow is just one of infinitely
many that could be drawn to represent the vector.

Fig. 1.2
You may meet uses of vectors in other contexts. For example, mechanics uses velocity vectors,
acceleration vectors, force vectors, and so on. When you need to make the distinction, the
vectors described here are called translation vectors. These are the only vectors used in this
unit.
1.2 Scalar and Vector quantity

A scalar is a purely numerical quantity with a unit. This means that a scalar quantity has only a
magnitude(size), and no direction is involved. A vector quantity, however, has both a magnitude
and a direction. N
Q
Scalar Vector
Scalar Vector
A ship is sailing at
The distance From P to Q 60°
12km/h A ship is sailing at
from P to Q you go 100m north. 12km/h on a bearing
is 100m of 060°
P

1.3 Representation of Vectors

Q
S
P
R

A vector can be represented by any line segment. The arrow head shows the sense of the
direction. A common way of showing vectors is using the letters with an arrow above, and the
endpoints are written as:

e.g.. PQ or RS

Alternatively, single letters, a, b or a, a can be used (printed in bold)

1.4 Equal Vectors

In section 1.3, the two line segments that are represented there, PQ and RS are parallel ( in the
same direction) and equal in length. These two lines each represent the same vector and PQ = RS

By PQ = RS , the following is implied:

a) The line segment PQ and RS are equal in length,


b) And the two lines are parallel PQ// RS

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