v2qKMqpeZISWixyB

Head to www.savemyexams.
com for more awesome resources
CIE IGCSE Additional Maths Your notes
Vectors in Two Dimensions

Contents
Introduction to Vectors
Vector Addition
Problem Solving using Vectors
Compose & Resolve Velocities
Page 1 of 28
© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources
Introduction to Vectors
Your notes
Basic Vectors
What is a vector?
Vectors represent a movement of a certain magnitude (size) in a given direction
For example: two objects with velocities of 7 m/s and ‑7 m/s are travelling at the same speed but in
opposite directions
You should have already come across vectors when translating functions of graphs
They appear in many contexts of maths including mechanics for modelling forces
A vector in two directions has components in the direction of the x- and y- axes
Vector quantities can have positive or negative components
Vectors can be represented in different ways such as a column vector or as an i and j unit vector
Some examples of vector quantities you may come across are displacement, velocity or acceleration
Page 2 of 28
Your notes
Page 3 of 28
Examiner Tip Your notes

Think of vectors like a journey from one place to another
Diagrams can help, if there isn’t one, draw one
In your exam you can’t write in bold so should underline your vector notation
Page 4 of 28
Worked example
Your notes
Page 5 of 28
Your notes
Page 6 of 28
Magnitude of a Vector
How do you find the magnitude of a vector? Your notes
The magnitude of a vector tells us its size or length
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ 
The magnitude of the vector AB is denoted AB 
The magnitude of the vector a is denoted |a|
The magnitude of a vector can be found using Pythagoras’ theorem
v i
The magnitude of a vector = v + v is found using
1 2
j
v
  =
  v 12 + v 22
⎛⎜ v ⎞⎟
⎜ 1 ⎟⎟
where v = ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟
⎜ v ⎟⎟
⎝ 2⎠
Page 7 of 28
What is a unit vector?

A unit vector has a magnitude of 1 Your notes
i j
The vectors and are unit vectors
i
the direction of is in the positive x -direction
j
the direction of is in the positive y -direction
To find a unit vector in the direction of a given vector divide the vector by its magnitude
Examiner Tip
Finding the magnitude of a vector is the same as finding the distance between two coordinates
Commit the formula to memory and be prepared to use it in the exam
Worked example
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎛⎜ −12 ⎞⎟
A vector XY = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ .
⎝ 5 ⎠
a) ⎯⎯⎯⎯
Find |XY | .
is the magnitude of the vector, so use Pythagoras' theorem.
b) ⎯⎯⎯⎯
Find the unit vector in the direction of XY .
For a unit vector, divide the vector by its magnitude, which was found in part (a).
The unit vector in the direction of is .
Page 8 of 28
Position Vectors
What is a position vector? Your notes
Position vectors describe the position of a point in relation to the origin
They are different to displacement vectors which describe the direction and distance between any
two points
⎯⎯⎯⎯
The position vector of point A is written with the notation a = OA
The origin is always denoted O
The individual components of a position vector are the coordinates of its end point
For example the point with coordinates (3, -2) has position vector 3i – 2j
How do I find the distance between two points using vectors?

The distance between two points is the magnitude of the vector between them
Page 9 of 28
Your notes
How do I find the magnitude of a displacement vector?

You can use coordinate geometry to find magnitudes of displacement vectors from A to B
From the position vectors of A and B you know their coordinates
⎛⎜ x 1 ⎞⎟
If a = OA = x i + y j = ⎜⎜
⎯⎯⎯⎯
(x 1, y 1)
⎜ ⎟⎟ , then point A has coordinates
1 1 ⎜y ⎟⎟
⎝ 1 ⎠
⎛⎜ x 2 ⎞⎟
If b = OB = x i + y j = ⎜⎜
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎜ ⎟⎟ , then point B has coordinates x , y
2 2 ⎜y ⎟⎟ ( 2 2)
⎝ 2 ⎠
The distance between two points is given by d = 2 2
(x 1 − x 2) + (y 1 − y 2)
⎯⎯⎯⎯  2 2
So AB  = (x 1 − x 2) + (y 1 − y 2)
For example, if points A and B have position vectors 5 i + 3 j and 3 i − 6 j respectively
Page 10 of 28
⎯⎯⎯⎯ 
then AB  = (5 − 3) 2 + (3 − (−6) ) 2 = 85 = 9 . 22 (3 s . f . )
⎯⎯⎯⎯  Your notes
Alternatively, you could find AB  by
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
first using AB = − OA + OB to find AB in vector form
and then calculating its magnitude directly
See the Worked Example below
Examiner Tip
Remember if asked for a position vector, you must find the vector all the way from the origin
Diagrams can help, if there isn’t one, draw one
Page 11 of 28
Worked example
Your notes
Page 12 of 28
Your notes
Page 13 of 28
Vector Addition
Your notes
Vector Addition
What is vector addition?
Adding vectors together lets us describes the movement between two points
To add or subtract vectors numerically simply add or subtract each of the corresponding components
In column vector notation just add the top, middle and bottom parts together
⎛ 2 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞⎟
For example: ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎝ 1 ⎠ ⎝ 4 ⎠ ⎝ −3 ⎠
In base vector notation add each of the i and j components together separately
For example: (2i + j) – (i + 4j) = (i – 3j)
Adding vectors creates a single vector which is called the resultant vector
Page 14 of 28
The resultant vector will be the shortest route from the start of the first vector to the end of the
second
Subtracting a vector is the same as adding a negative vector Your notes
Adding the vectors PQ and QP gives the zero vector, denoted by a bold zero 0 (0 in handwriting)
What are scalars and parallel vectors?

Two vectors are parallel if and only if one is a scalar multiple of the other
i.e both components of the vector have been multiplied by the same constant
Multiplying a vector by a positive scalar changes the magnitude (size) but not its direction
Multiplying a vector by a negative scalar changes the magnitude and the direction would be reversed
Page 15 of 28
Your notes
Page 16 of 28
Your notes
How do I find the vector between two points?

If, relative to the origin O , the points A and B have position vectors
OA = a
⎯⎯⎯⎯
OB = b
⎯⎯⎯⎯
then
AB = AO + OB = − OA + OB = − a + b = b − a
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯

Similarly, BA = BO + OA = a − b
This result is particularly useful when working with position vectors (as the 'journey' can always go via
the origin)
but the result applies to any set of three vectors
Examiner Tip
Think of vectors like a journey from one place to another
You may have to take a detour eg. A to B might be A to O then O to B.
Diagrams can help, so if there isn’t one, draw one
If there are any, labelling parallel vectors will help
Page 17 of 28
Worked example
Your notes
Page 18 of 28
Your notes
Page 19 of 28

Your notes
What problems may I be asked to solve involving vectors?
Showing that two lines or vectors are parallel
Two vectors are parallel if they are scalar multiples of each other
a b
i.e. = k where k is a constant
See Vector Addition
Finding the midpoint of two (position) vectors
Showing that three points are collinear
Collinear describes points that lie on the same straight line
e.g. The points (−2, − 2) , (3, 3) and (8, 8) all lie on the line with equation y = x
Vectors can be used to show this, and similar, results
Results concerned with geometric shapes
Shapes with parallel lines are often involved
e.g. parallelogram, rhombus
These often include lines or vectors being split into ratios
⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
e.g. The point Q lies on the line PR such that PQ : QR = 3:1
How do I find the midpoint of two vectors?

a
If the point A has position vector and the point B has position vector b
1
the position vector of the midpoint of AB is ( a + b)
2
This can be derived by considering
AB = b − a
⎯⎯⎯⎯
using the result from Vector Addition

If M is the midpoint of AB then
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ 1 ⎯⎯⎯⎯
AM = AB
2
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Therefore, the position vector of the midpoint, OM is
1
OM = OA + AM = a + ( b − a)
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
2
1
( a + b)
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
OM =
2
How do I show three points are collinear?
Page 20 of 28
Three points are collinear if they all lie on the same straight line
There are two ways to show this for three points, A , B and C say
Method 1 Your notes
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
Show that AB = k AC where k is a constant
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
i.e. show that AB and AC are scalar multiples of each other
As the vectors are scalar multiples they will have the same direction (and so be parallel)
So as both vectors start at point A , they must be collinear
Method 2
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
Show that AB = k BC AND that point B lies on both the vectors AB and BC
Which method you should use will depend on the information given and how you happen to see the
question
How do I solve problems involving geometric shapes?

Problems involving geometric shapes involve finding paths around the shape using known vectors
there will be many other vectors in the shape that are equal and/or parallel to the known vectors
a b
The following grid is made up entirely of parallelograms, with the vectors and defined as marked in
the diagram:
Note the difference between "specific" and "general" vectors

⎯⎯⎯⎯
The vector AB in the diagram is specific and refers only to the vector starting at A and ending at
B
Page 21 of 28
a
However, the vector is a general vector
⎯⎯⎯⎯
any vector the same length as AB and parallel to it is equal to a Your notes
e.g. RS =
⎯⎯⎯
a
b⎯⎯⎯⎯
Vector is also a general vector
e.g. GL = b
There will also be vectors in the diagram that are the same magnitude but have the opposite
direction to or a b
⎯⎯⎯⎯
e.g. ON = − , a JE = − b
⎯⎯
There are also many instances of the vector addition result FB = −

⎯⎯⎯
b a
⎯⎯⎯
e.g. PL = − b a
a b
There are many scalar multiples of the vectors or
e.g. FI = 3 a , IS = 2 b, QE = 3( b − a )
⎯⎯ ⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
Using a combination of these it is possible to describe a vector between any two points in terms of a
and b
Examiner Tip
Diagrams are helpful in vector questions
If a diagram has been given, label it and add to it as you progress through a question
If a diagram has not been given, draw one, it does not need to be accurate!
Page 22 of 28
Worked example
Your notes
The following diagram consists of a grid of identical parallelograms.
a b
Vectors and are defined by a = ⎯⎯⎯⎯
AB and b = AF .
⎯⎯⎯
a b
Write the following vectors in terms of and .
a) ⎯⎯⎯⎯
AE
To get from A to E follow vector four times (to the right).
b) ⎯⎯⎯⎯
GT
Page 23 of 28
There are many ways to get from G to T.

One option is to go from G to Q ( twice), and then from Q to T ( three times).
Your notes
c) Point Z is such that it is midpoint of HM .

⎯⎯⎯
Find the vector PZ .
There are many ways to get from P to Z.

One option is to go from P to R ( twice), and then from R to Z ( one-and-a-half times).
Page 24 of 28
Compose & Resolve Velocities

Your notes
Modelling Velocities with Vectors
How are velocities modelled by vectors?
Although introduced as being about paths and distances between points, a vector can also represent
a velocity
⎛⎜ 3 ⎞⎟
For example the velocity vector ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ m s−1 (or (3 i + 7 j) m s−1 ) would represent a particle
⎝7 ⎠
or object moving
at 3 m s −1 (metres per second) in the positive x direction
and 7 m s −1 in the positive y direction
Speed is different to velocity
Speed is a scalar quantity, velocity is a vector quantity
Velocity has direction, as well as magnitude
Speed is the magnitude of velocity
Therefore, speed can be found from velocity by finding its magnitude - i.e. using Pythagoras'
theorem
⎛⎜ 6 ⎞⎟
e.g. The speed of a particle travelling with velocity ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ m s−1 is 62 + 82 = 10 m s−1
⎝8 ⎠
⎛⎜ −6 ⎞⎟
An object travelling with velocity ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ m s−1 would have the same speed, 10 m s−1 but
⎝ −8 ⎠
be moving in the opposite direction
How do I find the position of a particle from a velocity vector?

i j
In general, problems refer to a particle's position vector, (x + y ) m (metres, from the origin) at
time t seconds after its motion has started
This position vector is often calledr
v
If the particle moves with (constant) velocity m s −1 , after t seconds its position vector will be
r r0 v
= + t
where r is the initial position of the particle (i.e. its position at the start of the motion)
0
For example if a particle starts at the point with coordinates (2, − 3) and moves with (constant)
i j
velocity (4 + 7 ) m s −1 after 10 seconds its position will be
Page 25 of 28
r = (2 i − 3 j) + 10(4 i + 7 j)
r = ( (2 + 40) i + (−3 + 70) j) Your notes
r = (42i + 67j) m
How do I solve problems involving velocities and vectors?
Solving problems involving velocity may involve using a variety of the skills covered in the vectors
section
A resultant velocity may be comprised of two (or more) velocities
e.g. the velocity of a javelin will be influenced by the athlete's ability and the wind
speed/direction
a resultant velocity is found by adding velocity vectors
Problems may be phrased to distinguish the difference between speed and velocity
Speed is the magnitude of velocity (use Pythagoras' theorem)
Problems may use position vectors
r0
The initial position ( ) is not necessarily the origin
r = r0 + vt
There could be two particles to deal with in a problem
be clear about which particle has which velocity, position, etc
If two particles collide at time t seconds, then (at time t ) their position vectors will be equal
Two vectors are equal if their components are equal
Examiner Tip
Vector diagrams drawn previously to show paths and distances can still be used to visualise
velocities
So use any given diagram, and if there isn't one, draw one!
Read questions carefully - a common mistake is to give a final answer as a position vector when
the question has asked for coordinates, or vice versa
e.g. A particle with position vector has coordinates
Page 26 of 28
Worked example
Your notes
A boat leaves a harbour (the origin) and sails with a (constant) resultant velocity comprising of the
i j
velocity produced by the boat's engine, ( + 2 ) m s −1 and the velocity produced by the water
i j
current, (1 . 5 + 2 ) m s −1 .
a) Find the resultant velocity of the boat.

The resultant velocity will be the sum of the two velocities.
The resultant velocity of the boat is .
i j
A second boat has position vector ( 27 + 6 ) m at the same time as when the first boat leaves the
harbour.
i j
The second boat sails with (constant) resultant velocity (−2 + 3 ) m s −1 .
b) Without intervention, the two boats will collide at time t seconds.

i) Find the value of t .
ii) Find the coordinates of the point at which the boats will collide.
i) The position of a particle at time is where is the initial position and is

its (resultant) velocity.
The two boats will be in the same position when they collide.
Equating (or ) components gives an equation in .
or
The boats collide at seconds.
ii) Find the position of either boat at seconds.
Page 27 of 28
Your notes
The question asks for coordinates (rather than a position vector).
The boats will collide at the point .
Page 28 of 28

v2qKMqpeZISWixyB

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

v2qKMqpeZISWixyB

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

v2qKMqpeZISWixyB

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Head to www.savemyexams.

com for more awesome resources

CIE IGCSE Additional Maths Your notes

Vectors in Two Dimensions

Examiner Tip Your notes

What is a unit vector?

is the magnitude of the vector, so use Pythagoras' theorem.

The unit vector in the direction of is .

How do I find the distance between two points using vectors?

How do I find the magnitude of a displacement vector?

What are scalars and parallel vectors?

How do I find the vector between two points?

⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯

Problem Solving using Vectors

How do I find the midpoint of two vectors?

using the result from Vector Addition

How do I solve problems involving geometric shapes?

Note the difference between "specific" and "general" vectors

There are also many instances of the vector addition result FB = −

To get from A to E follow vector four times (to the right).

There are many ways to get from G to T.

c) Point Z is such that it is midpoint of HM .

There are many ways to get from P to Z.

Compose & Resolve Velocities

How do I find the position of a particle from a velocity vector?

a) Find the resultant velocity of the boat.

The resultant velocity of the boat is .

b) Without intervention, the two boats will collide at time t seconds.

i) The position of a particle at time is where is the initial position and is

Equating (or ) components gives an equation in .

The boats collide at seconds.

ii) Find the position of either boat at seconds.

The boats will collide at the point .

You might also like