Scribd
Upload
108 views19 pages

Additional Mathematics F4: Vectors

Vectors can be used to solve geometry problems by translating geometric relationships into algebraic expressions involving vectors. This allows geometric problems to be solved using vector algebra techniques and properties like the triangle inequality. For example, parallelism of line segments can be expressed using equal vector components, and properties of parallelograms or trapezoids can be derived from relationships between vectors formed by their vertices.

Uploaded by

Jer Ren Wong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
108 views19 pages

Additional Mathematics F4: Vectors

Vectors can be used to solve geometry problems by translating geometric relationships into algebraic expressions involving vectors. This allows geometric problems to be solved using vector algebra techniques and properties like the triangle inequality. For example, parallelism of line segments can be expressed using equal vector components, and properties of parallelograms or trapezoids can be derived from relationships between vectors formed by their vertices.

Uploaded by

Jer Ren Wong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 19

Vectors

{Theories, Techniques, Applications}


Theories
1. Triangle Inequality
i) If a and b has the same direction,
~ ~

a+b
~ ~
|a+b|=|a|+|b|
~ ~ ~ ~
a
~
b~
ii) If a and b are of different direction,
~ ~
a~ b~ |a+b|<|a|+|b|
~ ~ ~ ~

a+b
2. If a+b+c=0,
~ ~ ~
the vectors can be arranged into a
shape of a triangle.

a~ b
~

c~
The Diagrams below show different arrangement of four vectors, can you find
the similarities among them?
3. Commutativity of vectors addition
Commutativity is the property of an operator where the order does not matter.

For example: 2+5=5+2, and in general a+b=b+a, hence “+” is said to be


commutative. Another example of a commutative operator is “×” since a×b=b×a.

Note that not all operator are communitative, for example “-” is not
commutative because a-b≠b-a in most cases. Similarly, “÷” is also not a
commutative operator.

In this case, vector addition are actually commutative, therefore


a+b+c+d=b+a+c+d=c+a+b+d etc.
~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~
4. Describing direction
i) Bearing

Bearing is the angle measured clockwise from the North direction.

N N
Format:
XXX°. If the angle has
two or one digit only, 0 is
235° 45° added to the front.

Bearing: 235° Bearing: 045°


ii) Cardinal direction (NEWS)

N N
Format:
30° N/S XX° E/W
N 30° W
S 45° E

W E W E
45°

S S
Technique
Introducing new variables
1. Collinearity
Given ABC are collinear, we could let AB= mAC, introducing this new
variable, m sometimes may help.

Example:

XA=3a+4b, XB=5a+6b, XC=-a+kb, where A,B,C are collinear. Find k.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2. Intersection point of two vectors
Given CF=4a+2b, EB=6a+9b, CB=4a+4b.
A
How are we suppose to find CX?
We introduce new variables by letting
CX=hCF and XB=kEB
E F
X CX+XB=CB
hCF+kEB=CB
B h(4a+2b)+k(6a+9b)=4a+4b
C ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
4ha+2hb+6ka+9kb=4a+4b
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(4h+6k-4)a=(4-2h-9b)b
~ ~
4h+6k-4=0, 4-2h-9b=0

We can then find h and k by solving simultaneous


linear equation.
TRAP question
Given that vector b is parallel to a and
~ ~
|b|=3
~
Express b in terms of a.
a ~ ~
~ Let (parallel)
~ ~ Find the error!
(||both sides)
~ ~
(sub |b|=3)
~ ~ pg218)
(textbook
~ (Pythagoras Theorem)
(calculation)
(divide 5 from both sides)

(sub into b=ka)


~ ~ ~ ~
Hidden application of
vectors
Original Problem
1. AB and DC are two parallel segments with a same length.

A B

D C

Show that AD and BC are also parallel segments with a same length.
Translated problem
1. Given AB=DC, show that AD=BC

A B

D C

Hint : AD+DC+CB=AB
Original Problem
2. The diagonals of a parallelogram bisects each other.

A B

D C
Translated problem
2. Given ABCD is a parallelogram, AB=b and AD=d.
~ ~
i) Express AC and DB in terms
A B
of b and d
~ ~
X ii) Express AX and XB in terms
of b and d.
~ ~
iii) Show that AX=XC and
D C
BX=XD.
3. Let AB=b~ and AC=c.
~
X lies on segment BC
such that |BX|:|CX|=m:n.
i) Express AX in terms of m,n,b,c.
~~
ii) Does the impression in i) seem familiar? Which formula does it
correspond to?

iii) Prove the formula mentioned in ii) by using the expression in i)


4. The length of midline of a trapezium is half
the sum of length of the two bases
A B
AB//CD, M and N are midpoints of AD
and BC respectively, show that

M N Hint 1: Let AB=a, CD=ka, AC= b.


~ ~ ~
Hint 2: Express DM and NC in terms of a,k,b
~ ~
Hint 3: Show that

C D

You might also like