GCSE Maths – Geometry and Measures

Vector Operations
Worksheet

This worksheet will show you how to work out different types of vector
operation questions. Each section contains a worked example, a question
with hints and then questions for you to work through on your own.

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 Section A

Worked Example

5 −3
Find 𝑎 + 𝑏 when 𝑎 = ( ), 𝑏 = ( ).
−2 0

Step 1: Write 𝑎 + 𝑏 as one column vector by adding each of the rows.

𝑎 + 𝑏 =( 5 )+(
−3 ) = (5 + (−3))
−2 0 −2 + 0

Step 2: Sum each row and calculate the total.

5 + −3 = 2

−2 + 0 = −2

𝑎 + 𝑏 =( 2 )
−2

Guided Example

3 7
Let 𝑎 = ( ) and 𝑏 = ( ). Write 2𝑎 + 𝑏 as a column vector.
4 1

Step 1: Multiply both components of 𝑎 by 2.

2
131 18
Step 2: Add the components of 2𝑎 to the components of 𝑏.

Hiiiii
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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

1. Three vectors are listed below with some missing values

3 𝑑 1
𝑎 = ( ) 𝑏 = ( ) 𝑐 = ( )
2 𝑒 𝑓
Use the following calculations to find the value of d, e and f:
3
3
3 Y 18
𝑎+𝑏= ( )
0
9 HE
2𝑐 + 𝑏 = (2)
2
2 0 2 Checking
f t 192
z 2f 2 2

d O
2
1 g
2. Let 𝑎 = ( ) and 𝑏 = (
3 ).
6 −2
Write the following as column vectors:
a) 2a – 3b
2 61 313

b) a – b
Y 11 1
i 3
c) 2b – 3a

2 32 31
14 is ta
d) 4a + 2b

4 6 2
2
4 4
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 Section B

Worked Example

−2
What is vector 𝑏 if 𝑏 = 3𝑎 and 𝑎 = ( )?
5

Step 1: Multiply each row of vector 𝑎 by the scalar 3.

3(−2)
3𝑎 = 3 (−2) = ( )
5 3(5)

Step 2: Calculate each new value and write the new vector 𝑏.

3 × −2 = −6
3 × 5 = 15

𝑏 = (−6)
15

Guided Example

3 −2 −1
Let 𝑎 = ( ) and 𝑏 = ( ) and 𝑐 = ( ).
1 7 3

Write 𝑎 – 2𝑏 + 𝑐 as a column vector.

Step 1: Calculate 2𝑏 by multiplying each component of 𝑏 by 2.

2 𝑎 – 2𝑏.
Step 2: Calculate
171 174

E s
Step 3: Add the vector c to 𝑎 − 2𝑏 to find 𝑎 − 2𝑏 + 𝑐.

5 s Ho
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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

1
3. Given the vectors 𝑎 = (3) 𝑏 = ( ), draw and label the following vectors from the
2 5
origin on the axes below:
means x totheright
y up
if negative x left
a) a
ydown
3 Eight
b) a + b
4right
3 s 4 7up
c) 3a
9right
3 3 9 Gup
d) 3b – 2a
3 5 2 32

is E ii 3

i
pas

1 l i
1
Y
i
11 I 3bLa
I l
I am 7
I
1 h i
1 3

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 1
4. Given the vectors 𝑎 = ( ) 𝑏 = (
−3) 𝑐 = (−1), write the following expressions
4 6 −2
as a single column vector:

a) a + b
14 1 ko

b) 2c + b

41
4 E

c) 3a – 2c

314 42
z E Io
d) a + b – 1.4c
Toma

Ko fi
io I o ti
e) 4a – b + 3c

4
4 8 3
E
I 131 131 1
a
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