IB Math SL Notes Vectors

Chapters 15 and 16 Introduction to Vectors

A vector quantity has direction and magnitude. There are many examples
of vector quantities in the natural world, such as force, velocity, and
acceleration.

A vector is a directed line segment used to represent a vector quantity.
Examples:
a
b

Vectors do not have a fixed position in the coordinate plane, so they can
be translated (moved) without changing their meaning.

To add vectors geometrically, translate the second vector so that it starts at
the end of the first vector. The vector sum goes from the start of the first
vector to the end of the second. Dont forget to draw the arrow!
Example:
b
a+b

Vectors can be represented numerically. In this class we will write the

numeric form of a vector in two ways:
3


a = 2
7

column form

b = 4i 5 j + 2 k

component form.

To add vectors numerically, just add the corresponding components.

Example: Add vectors v = 3i 4 j and w = 5i + 2 j .







v + w = 8i 2 j

IB Math SL Notes Vectors

A scalar is a number. It has magnitude but no direction. Vectors can be

multiplied by scalars.
Examples:

m = 6i + 2 j + 5k


5

1

m
=

3
i
+ j+2k
2

2p

A position vector is a vector that starts at the origin (0, 0).

Example:
y

p
x

Vector p drawn as a position vector.

The magnitude (length) of a vector can be calculated using the

Pythagorean Theorem.
Example:

d = 3i + 5 j


d = 32 + 52

= 9 + 25
= 34

Example: Find the length of c = 2i 4 j .

c =

( 2 ) + ( 4 )

= 4 + 16
= 20

IB Math SL Notes Vectors

A displacement vector is a vector between two points.

Example: Draw the displacement vector from A(1, 3) to B(7, 1). Then


write vector AB in component form.
4

B
5







Vector AB = 6i 2 j

To find a displacement vector numerically, subtract the coordinates:

end point minus start point
Example: Find the displacement vector from C(3, 5, 1) to D(4, 2, 7).








CD = ( 4 ( 3) ) i + ( 2 5 ) j + ( 7 ( 1) ) k





= 7 i 7 j + 8k

A unit vector is a vector that is one unit long.

Example: Determine whether or not each of the following vectors is
a unit vector:
















b) w = 12 i + 12 j
c) m = 53 i + 45 j
a) v = i + j


v is not a unit vector.

v = 12 + 12 = 2 1.4


w=

( 12 ) + ( 12 )

w=

( 53 ) + ( 54 )

1
2

0.7

= 1 =1

w is not a unit vector.


m is a unit vector.

To find a unit vector parallel to a given vector, divide the vector by its
length.






Example: Find a unit vector parallel to a = 3i + 8 j

a = 32 + 82 = 73



a
3

8

u=
=
i+
j
a
73
73

IB Math SL Notes Vectors

Chapters 15 and 16 The Dot Product

One way of multiplying two vectors is to find the dot product. The dot







product of vectors a and b is written a b .

To find the dot product of two vectors, multiply the corresponding
components and add them up.











Example: Find the dot product of a = 3i 2 j 4k and b = 2i + j k .



a b = 3 ( 2 ) + ( 2 )(1) + ( 4 )( 1)
= 62+4 =8

The dot product is also called the scalar product because the result is a
scalar, not a vector.

The dot product is used to find the angle between two vectors when they
are placed tail-to-tail. The formula is:

a b
cos =


a b

3
2




Example: Find the angle (in degrees) between c = 1 and d = 5 .
7
1





c d = 3 ( 2 ) + 1( 5 ) + 7 (1) = 6


c = 32 + 12 + 7 2 = 59


2
d = ( 2 ) + 52 + 12 = 30
6
0.143
59 30
= cos 1 ( 0.143) 81.801
cos =

IB Math SL Notes Vectors

Vectors are perpendicular when the angle between them is a right angle.
Numerically, vectors are perpendicular if and only if their dot product
equals zero (since cos 90 = 0 ).











Example: Show that vectors g = 2i 15 j k and h = 6i + j 3k are
perpendicular.



g h = 2 ( 6 ) + ( 15 )(1) + ( 1)( 3) = 0

1
1

Example: Find the value of k so that vectors a = 1 and b = 10 are

3
k

perpendicular.



a b = 1(1) + (1)( 10 ) + ( 3)( k ) = 9 3k
9 3k = 0
3k = 9

k = 3

Vectors are parallel when they have the same direction (or opposite
directions). Numerically, vectors are parallel if and only if they are scalar
multiples of each other.

12
3




Example: Find the value of k so that vectors c = 8 and d = 2 are

k
1

parallel.

12 = 3 ( 4 ) and 8 = 2 ( 4 ) so k = 1( 4 ) = 4

IB Math SL Notes Vectors

Chapters 17 Vector Equations of Lines

You already know how to write the Cartesian equation, y = mx + b , of a

line if you know the slope and any point on the line.

Lines can also be defined by vector equations. To write the vector
equation of a line you need to know a point on the line and the direction
vector for the line (a vector parallel to the line).

The general form of the vector equation of a line is




r = a + tb




where a is the position vector to a point on the line, b is the direction
vector for the line, t is an arbitrary scalar (the independent variable) and
x


r = y (the dependent variable).
z

Example: Write a vector equation of the line passing through



(2, 1) and parallel to 3i 5 j .

2 3
r = +t
1 5
Example: Write a vector equation of the line passing through




( 1, 3, 7) and parallel to 5i 2 j + k .

1 5


r = 3 + t 2
7 1

Example: Write a vector equation of the line passing through
the points A(2, 1, 5) and B( 3, 1, 2)

1


a direction vector is AB = 2
3

2 1


so an equation is r = 1 + t 2
5 3

IB Math SL Notes Vectors

When you know the vector equation of a line, you can find points on the
line by choosing any number for t and plugging it in to the equation.
1 3


Example: Write down three points on the line r = 5 + t 1
2 1

when t = 1, the point is (4, 4, 3)
when t = 1, the point is (2, 6, 1)
when t = 2, the point is (7, 3, 4)
(Remember these are just a few examples you can pick any
number you want for t!)

If two vector lines intersect, you can find the point of intersection by
setting the equations equal to each other, solving for one of the
independent variables, and then plugging back in to the equation to get the
coordinates of the point.

2 3

6 2
Example: The lines r1 = + t and r 2 = + s intersect at
3 2
5 4
the point P. Find the coordinates of P.

4 + 6t = 12 4 s
2 + 3t = 6 2 s

( 3 2t = 5 4 s )
3 2t = 5 4 s
1 + 8t = 7
8t = 8
t =1
x = 2 + 1( 3) = 1
y = 3 + 1 ( 2 ) = 5

The coordinates of P are (1, 5)