Introduction and Basics of Vectors

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude (size) and direction. The magnitude tells how large or
small the quantity is, while the direction tells where the quantity is heading or acting.
Examples of vector quantities include force, velocity, displacement and acceleration.
Quantities that have only magnitude but no direction are called scalar quantities,
e.g. speed and distance.

How do scalar quantities compare to vector quantities? If John is driving his car at a speed of 80km/h, we
know how fast he is travelling but we have no idea of the direction in which he is travelling. On the other
hand, if he is travelling at a velocity of 80km/h due North, we now know how fast he is travelling and his
direction. Vector quantities always have a direction included.

Representation of Vectors

There are four main ways in which vectors can be represented. Some methods are more commonly used
than others. Vectors are represented by using:
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
 The two end points of a line segment with an arrow above them: 𝐴𝐵

 A lowercase of a letter with or without a bar beneath it: a or 𝑎

 Vector equation: a = 2i+3j

 Column vector: 𝑎 = (34)

A vector may be represented by its components. These define how to get from one end of the

vector to the other. For example: (34) is a vector in two dimensions.



Drawing Vectors

Below are the steps that must be followed when drawing a vector:

 Draw a line segment with the endpoints labelled. Use a scale to ensure that the length of the line
drawn represents the actual length of the vector.
 Ensure that the line segment is drawn in the direction specified.
 Indicate with an arrow the direction of the vector.
 Indicate near the line segment the size of the vector.
Example 1:

Vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄 is 10 km due NE. Draw the vector.

Since 10 km is too large to draw on paper a scale of 1 cm: 2 km is used where the line drawn will be 5
cm long.

Magnitude of a vector

The magnitude of a vector is its length. If we have a vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝑃𝑄 , its magnitude (length) is written
𝑥
𝑃𝑄 is written as a column vector ( ) , then its length can be determined using the
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ |. If vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
as |𝑃𝑄
𝑦
equation below:

Example 2: If vector AB is (35) , determine its magnitude.

Using the equation above, x=3 and y=5:

SOLUTION
 Types of vectors

 Unit vector :
A vector that has a unit magnitude or length of 1 unit. To prove that a vector is a unit vector, we
find its length. If the length is equal to 1 unit then the vector is a unit vector.

Therefore, 𝑎 is a unit vector.

 Equivalent vectors :
 Two vectors are said to be equivalent vectors if they have the same magnitude (length) and
same direction.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is equivalent to ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
Example: 𝐴𝐵 𝑃𝑄 ( ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ )
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑃𝑄

 Inverse vectors – two vectors which have the same magnitude but opposite direction.

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is the inverse of 𝐵𝐴

Example: 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

Parallel vectors - vectors that have the same orientation but not necessarily the same direction
or same magnitude.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is parallel to 𝑃𝑄
Example: 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑆𝑅
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .

If 𝑎 and 𝑏 are parallel vectors, then 𝑎 can be obtained from 𝑏 by multiplying by a scalar.

In equation form: 𝑎 = k x 𝑏 .
Here, k is the scalar e.g. 2, -3, or ¼.

The scalar provides two comparisons between the vectors, their lengths and their direction.
Let’s use two examples to demonstrate these comparisons.

Example:

i. In ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = 2𝐶𝐷 the scalar here is positive 2, i.e. k = 2 . This tells that the length AB is twice as long as
CD; and being positive, both vectors have the same direction.
ii.
1 1
iii. 𝐸𝐹 = − 2 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
In ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐴𝐵 , 𝑘 = − 2 , The length EF is half the length AB; and the negative sign indicates that AB
is opposite in direction to EF.
  Collinear Vectors
These are vectors that lie on the same line segment.
For example, let’s take the line segment below:

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , 𝐵𝐶
Three vectors can be obtained from this arrangement. These are vectors 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .

Similar relationship can be established between two collinear vectors as for parallel vectors. For
example, comparing AB and BC:
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝐴𝐵
𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

Similar to parallel vectors, the scalar tells the relationship between the lengths and the directions of the
two vectors. Thus, 𝐵𝐶⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is twice the length of 𝐴𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and has the same direction.

How can we tell if the two vectors we are working with are either parallel or collinear?

Collinear vectors will always have a common point on the line segment. In the example above with
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝐵
collinear vectors 𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , the common point is B (notice that both vectors have B in their
representation). Parallel vectors do not have a common point.

 Position Vectors

Position vectors are vectors which originate or begin from the origin O within a Cartesian system. Look
at the diagram below:

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ which can be represented as a

The position vector of the point A (10, 5) is the vector from O to A, i.e. 𝑂𝐴
column vector (10
5
). Ten (10) is the x- component and 5 is the y-component.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ where:
Generally, the point P (x, y) has a position vector 𝑂𝑃

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = (𝑥 )
𝑂𝑃 𝑦

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is found as given previously by the equation:

The magnitude of 𝑂𝑃
Example 3: Given the points P (1, 1) and Q (4, 5). Write down the position vectors of P and Q.
𝑥
Each coordinate is transformed into a column vector: ( x,y ) = (𝑦)

The position vector of point P is 𝑂𝑃 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = (1)

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ∶ 𝑂𝑃
1

The position vector of point Q is 𝑂𝑄 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = (4)

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ∶ 𝑂𝑄
5

 Displacement vectors

These are vectors which originate at any starting point or any point in space. They are different from
position vectors which begin at the origin O. Displacement vectors can also be represented as a column
vector.
2
Let’s take the displacement vector ( 3 ) and draw it on the Cartesian plane. Since it is a displacement
2
vector it can begin anywhere in the Cartesian plane. From the column vector ( ) , 2 means 2 steps in
3
the positive x – direction and 3 means 3 steps in the positive y - direction. The diagram below shows the

same vector but at different starting points.

Note: If a negative value is given for x and/or y, movement is made in the direction of the negative
x - and y – axes.
 Vector Algebra

Vector algebra focuses on addition, subtraction and scalar multiplication of vectors.

2 3
Using the two column vectors 𝑎 = (5) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = (4) to demonstrate each property:
 Addition – two or more vectors can be added. When using column vectors, the addition
principle of matrices is used.

 Subtraction – two vectors can be subtracted, or by adding the inverse of the second vector
(subtrahend).

OR
(The inverse of 𝑏 , (−3
−4
) is added)

 Scalar multiplication – this involves the use of a number to multiply a vector.

Given the vector 𝑎 ,

i. The vector - 𝑎 is obtained by multiplying 𝑎 by -1. Vector - 𝑎 has the same magnitude (length)
as𝑎 but opposite direction.

ii. Vector 2 𝑎 is obtained by multiplying 𝑎 by 2. Vector 2 𝑎 has twice the length of 𝑎 and the same
direction.

1 1
iii. Vector − 𝑎 is obtained by multiplying 𝑎 by -½. Vector − has half the length of 𝑎 and
2 2
opposite direction.
 Finding Resultant Vector

Mary is at the car park and she needs to get to the shopping mall. She decides that she will travel
to the boutique and then to the shopping mall. The route that Mary takes is shown in the diagram
below. However, there is a direct route that Mary could have taken which would have her travelling
straight from the car park to the shopping mall

The orange line drawn represents the direct route which is the resultant vector of Mary’s journey.
The resultant vector is the vector that “results’ from adding two or more vectors together. There are
two ways to calculate the resultant vector.

 Head to tail method:

The head to tail involves lining up the head of one vector with the tail of the other.

In (i) above, the triangle rule is used. The resultant is found by drawing a line from the tail end of
the first vector to the head of the second vector. In (ii), the resultant is the direct route that will take
you from the starting point of u to the endpoint of w; and it is found by summing the vectors
included in the indirect route.
  Parallelogram Method:

Parallelogram method applies the properties of a parallelogram where opposite sides (vectors) are
equal. In essence, the parallelogram is divided into two triangles where the diagonal is the
resultant vector.

Example 4: 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑂𝐵

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ are position vectors relative to the origin O. Given the points A (3, 1) and
B (-1, -2)
i. Write down the ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑂𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐵 as column vectors
ii. Express 𝐴𝐵⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ as a column vector.
i. As column vectors: ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 = (31) and 𝑂𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = (−1)
−2

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is the resultant of 𝐴𝐵

ii. Vector 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑂𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . Make a quick sketch of the two
vectors.
Accuracy is not important since you were not asked to draw the vectors.

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ we go from A to O and then to B as shown

To travel from A to B directly which is the resultant 𝐴𝐵
in case (b). Remember, direct route is equal to the sum of indirect route.
 Vector Geometry

In geometry, we studied plane shapes and their properties. Vectors can be arranged to form common
geometric shapes such as a triangle, rectangular or any other plane shape. Once the shapes can be
identified then the properties of the shapes are applied which will allow us to determine the properties
of the vectors involved and their values. An example is shown below.

From this arrangement, we have two similar triangles PRS and PQW. If each line segment represents
a vector then following can be deduced:
 Vector 𝑅𝑆 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑄𝑊 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ are parallel.
 Points R and S divide the line segments PQ and PW, respectively in a specific ratio.
 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑅 , 𝑃𝑄 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑄 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ are collinear vectors.
 𝑃𝑆⃗⃗⃗⃗ , 𝑃𝑊
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑊 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ are collinear vectors.

WORKED EXAMPLE 2

A (4, 2), B (8, 1), C (2, 5) are the vertices of a triangle. P and Q are the midpoints of the sides AB and
CA respectively. Determine the position vectors of P and Q. Determine the components of
vectors⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 . Describe the relation between 𝑃𝑄 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .

SOLUTION:
i. Make a sketch of the triangle showing the info provided. Also, notice the route that should be taken to
determine resultant vectors.

The position vector of P is . To get we need two vectors one with the point P and
the other with O. Both vectors must have a common point, e.g. point A. Therefore, we
use 𝑂𝐴⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝑃
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ as the vectors.
 ii.

AP and AQ where determined in part (i) above.

iii.
iv. Comparing 𝑃𝑄⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ if we multiply 𝑃𝑄
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ by the scalar 2, 𝐵𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is obtained. Write this relation in the
form of an equation:
v.

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑃𝑄
Therefore, 𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ are parallel vectors with the same direction. The length of BC is
twice the length of PQ.

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑃𝑄
Note that 𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ does not have a common point so they cannot be collinear
vectors
 Working with Vectors

Most vector problems require you to do one of the following:

 Draw vectors.
 Find the resultant vector by adding two or more vectors.
 Find the length of a vector.
 Prove that vectors are either parallel or collinear.
 Apply principle of algebra and geometry.

It is recommended that you make a sketch of the scenario given whether you are asked to
do so or not. The previous examples have demonstrated each of the above requirements.
The two worked examples below are done to strengthen your working of vector problems.

WORKED EXAMPLE 3 Given that a and b are two vectors in the same plane

i. Express the vectors 𝑃𝑄⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 . Show that the points P, Q and R lie on a
straight line and indicate on a diagram, their relative position

SOLUTION
Here, the vectors are represented using vector equations. Algebraic principles are used to
solve.

i.

ii. To prove that the points lie on the same lie make one pair of vectors using combinations of
the letters P, Q and R. Since we have PQ from part (i) above only one more vector is
needed, e.g. QR.

Now comparing 𝑃𝑄 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑄𝑅

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ if 𝑃𝑄
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is multiplied by -2, 𝑄𝑅
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is obtained. In equation form
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
this is 𝑄𝑅 = -2 𝑃𝑄
Since both vectors have a point common which is point Q, they are on the same line.
Based on the equation, QR is twice the length of PQ and points in the opposite direction.
 Diagram: The arrows show the direction of each vector.

WORKED EXAMPLE 4
The vertices of a quadrilateral OABC are (0, 0), (4, 2), (6, 10) and (2, 8), respectively. Use
a vector method to answer the question which follow:
 Write as a column vector, the vectors 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝐶𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .
 Calculate |𝑂𝐴| the magnitude of 𝑂𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
 State Two geometrical relationships between the line segments OA and CB.
 Why OABC is a parallelogram.
 If M is the midpoint of the diagonal OB, and N is the midpoint of the diagonal AC,
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑂𝑁
determine the position vectors of 𝑂𝑀 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .
 Hence, state one conclusion which can be made about the diagonals of the
parallelogram OABC.

SOLUTION
a. Using the point A (4, 2): ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 = (42)
b.

c.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑂𝐴
c. i. Since 𝐶𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , CB is parallel to OA and the vectors are equal in length.
ii. To be a parallelogram, opposite sides must be parallel and equal in length. This is true
for sides CB and OA. Find AB and OC, the other two sides of the quadrilateral.

The length of 𝑂𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝐵

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = √22 + 82 = √68 = 8.25 units
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑂𝐶
Thus: 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ Since opposite sides are equal in length and parallel, OABC is a
parallelogram.

d. Since M bisects the line OB, the vector

e. The points M and N have the same coordinate (3, 5) which indicate that the points are at
the same location. Since both points are the midpoints of the diagonals, the diagonals OB
and AC bisects each other.