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Intro To Vectors

This document introduces vectors and their algebraic operations. It defines vectors as having both magnitude and direction, while scalars have only magnitude. Vectors can be added by placing the tail of one vector at the head of another and combining their directions and magnitudes. Multiplication of a vector by a scalar multiplies the magnitude of the vector by the scalar's absolute value and may change the direction depending on the sign of the scalar. Vectors can be expressed as ordered pairs of components and undergo algebraic operations component-wise. Examples demonstrate finding vector sums, differences, and expressions in component form.

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367 views4 pages

Intro To Vectors

This document introduces vectors and their algebraic operations. It defines vectors as having both magnitude and direction, while scalars have only magnitude. Vectors can be added by placing the tail of one vector at the head of another and combining their directions and magnitudes. Multiplication of a vector by a scalar multiplies the magnitude of the vector by the scalar's absolute value and may change the direction depending on the sign of the scalar. Vectors can be expressed as ordered pairs of components and undergo algebraic operations component-wise. Examples demonstrate finding vector sums, differences, and expressions in component form.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Section 8-4

Math 150 Lecture Notes


Introduction to Vectors
Quantities that are determined only by magnitude, i.e., length, mass, temperature, area, are called
scalars.
A vector is a line segment (with magnitude) and an assigned direction. An arrow is used to specify
the direction. Vector AB has initial point A and terminal point B. The magnitude or length of
the vector is the length of the segment AB and is denoted by AB .
Two vectors are equal if they have equal magnitude and the same direction.
Vector AC is the sum of vectors AB and BC when it is the displacement u = AB followed by the
displacement v = BC .

Multiplication of a Vector by a Scalar


If a is a real number and v is a vector, then av is a vector of magnitude |a| |v| and has the same
direction as v if a > 0 or the opposite direction as v if a < 0.
The difference of two vectors u and v is defined by u v = u + (-v).
In the coordinate plane, a vector v can be represented as an ordered pair of real numbers, v = a, b,
where a is the horizontal component of v and b is the vertical component of v.

Component Form of a Vector


If a vector v is represented in the plan with initial point P (x1, y1) and terminal point Q (x2, y2),
then v = x2 x1, y2 y1.
Two vectors are equal iff their corresponding components are equal.
The magnitude or length of a vector v = a, b is |v| =

a2 + b2

Section 8-4

Algebraic Operations on Vectors


If u = a1, b1 and v = a2, b2, then
u + v = a1 + a2, b1 + b2
u v = a1 a2, b1 b2
cu = ca1, cb1, c
Properties of Vectors
Vector Addition
u+v=v+u
u + (v + w) = (u + v) + w
u+0=u
u + (-u) = 0
Length of a Vector
|cu| = |c| |u|

Multiplication by a Scalar
c(u + v) = cu + cv
(c + d)u = cu + du
(cd)u = c(du) = d(cu)
1u = u
0u = 0
c0 = 0

Vectors in Terms of I and j


The vector v = a, b can be expressed in terms of i and j by v = a, b = ai + bj.
Horizontal and Vertical Components of a Vector
Let v be a vector with magnitude |v| and direction . Then v =a, b = ai + bj, where
a = |v| cos
and
b = |v| sin
We can express v as v = |v| cos i + |v| sin j.

Example 1: Sketch u + 2v using vectors u and v in the figure.

Section 8-4

Example 2: Express the vector with initial point P and terminal point Q in component form.

Example 3: Find u 2v and -3u + 4v for vectors u = 2, -5 and v = -3, 1.

Example 4:

Find |u|, |v|, |2v|, | u|, and |u + v| for vectors u = 3i + 2j and v = -2i + j.

Example 5: Find the horizontal and vertical components of the vector with given length and
direction, and write the vector in terms of the vectors i and j.
|u| = 60, = 120

Section 8-4

Example 6: Find the magnitude and direction (in degrees) of the vector u = -5, 12.

Example 7: A river flows due south at 4 miles per hour. An alligator heads due east swimming at 3
miles per hour relative to the water. Find the true velocity of the alligator as a vector.

http://hypertextbook.com/physics/foundations/vector-addition/worksheet-addition.pdf
http://hypertextbook.com/physics/foundations/vector-addition/worksheet-subtraction.pdf
http://hypertextbook.com/physics/foundations/vector-addition/worksheet-words.pdf

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