VECTORS – LESSON NOTES

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Eg displacement, velocity, acceleration,
force etc.
Vector Notation and Vector Representation of a vector
A vector can be represented by
(i) Directed Line segment 𝐴𝐵⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
- The length AB is the magnitude
- The direction of the arrow head is
the direction of the vector

(ii) Vector component form

𝑥
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = (𝑦), meaning that a vector is x units horizontally and y units vertically from point A to
point

Position vector and free vector

Position vector is a vector whose initial point is the origin, O (0, 0).
𝑥
If A(x, y) then the positional vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 =(𝑦).

Free vector is a vector whose initial point is not the origin. If A (x1, y1) and B(x2, y2). Then the free
𝑥2 𝑥1
vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑂𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ − ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 = (𝑦 )- (𝑦 ).
2 1
Example 1
Given that A (1, 2) and B (-3, 4). Find
1. 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
2. ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵
3. ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐴

Activity 1
1. Given that A (-1, -5), B (- 2, 1) and C (2, 7). Find
(a) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵
(b) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶
(c) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝐵
(d) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =(−1). Find the coordinates of Q
2. Given that P (2, 3) and 𝑃𝑄
5
−4
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =( ). Given that the coordinates of point S are (1, 2). Find the 𝑂𝑅
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
3. The vector 𝑅𝑆
5

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Midpoint of a vector
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . The coordinates of M are given
Given that A (x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) and M is the midpoint of 𝐴𝐵
𝑥1+ 𝑥2
𝑥1+ 𝑥2 𝑦1+ 𝑦2
by( , 𝑂𝑀 =(𝑦1+2𝑦2 )
) and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
2 2
2
Example 3
Given that A (2, 3) and B (3, 5). Find ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑀 given that M is the midpoint of ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵

Activity 3
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ given that M is the midpoint of 𝐴𝐵
1. Given that A (1, 2) and B (-7, 8). Find 𝑂𝑀 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ given that M is the midpoint of ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
2. Given that P(-3, 5) and M(2, 0). Find 𝑂𝑄 𝑃𝑄

Addition and Subtraction of vectors

Triangular rule of addition
Draw the vectors one after another, placing the initial point of each successive vector at the terminal
point of the previous vector. Then draw the resultant from the initial point of the first vector to the
terminal point of the last vector. This method is also called the head-to-tail method.

Triangular rule of addition

Draw the vectors so that their initial points coincide. Then draw lines to form a complete
parallelogram. The diagonal from the initial point to the opposite vertex of the parallelogram is the
resultant

1 𝑥 2 𝑥 𝑥 ± 𝑥
Given that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 = (𝑦 ) . ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐵 = (𝑦 ), then ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑂𝐵 = ( 1
𝑂𝐴 ± ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 2
)
1 2 𝑦1 ± 𝑦2
1 −3
Example 2.1: Given that 𝑎 = ( ) and 𝑏 = ( ), Find
−2 6
(a) 𝑎 + 𝑏
(b) 𝑏 − 𝑎
(c) 𝑎 − 𝑏

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Scalar multiplication of vectors
𝑥
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =( ) and a scalar 𝑘, then the scalar multiplication of 𝐴𝐵
Given that 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and a scalar 𝑘 is
𝑦
𝑥
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑘 ( ) = (𝑘𝑥 )
𝑘𝐴𝐵 𝑦 𝑘𝑦
1 −3
Example 2.2: Given that 𝑎 = ( ) and 𝑏 = ( ), Find
−2 6
1. 2𝑎 + 3𝑏
2. 2𝑏 − 4𝑎
1
3. 3𝑎 − 3 𝑏
−3 −4
Activity 2. Given that 𝑝 =( ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞 =( ). Find
−4 12
1. 𝑝 + 𝑞
2. 𝑞 − 𝑝
−3
3. 4 𝑞
4. 𝑞 − 2𝑝
1
5. 𝑝 − 4 𝑞

Magnitude of a vector
𝑥
Given that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = a = (𝑦), then the magnitude of ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 or a denoted by ∣𝑎∣ is given by ∣𝑎∣ = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
Example 4
−3
1. Given that 𝑎 = ( ), find ∣𝑎∣
−4
1
2. Given that 𝑏 = ( ), find ∣𝑏∣
2

Activity 4
−5
1. Given that 𝑎 = ( ), find ∣𝑎∣
12
2. Given that P(-1, 2) and Q(3, -1). Find ∣𝑞∣ if 𝑞 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄

Collinearity of points
Collinear points are point that lie on the same straight line. If the points A, B and C are collinear
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑘𝐵𝐶
then 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . This means that AB and BC have the same gradient and they share a point B.
To show that the points A, B and C are collinear, you have to find the consistent value of 𝑘 such that
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑘𝐵𝐶
𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ .
Example 5
1. Show whether the following set of points are collinear of not
(a) A(5, 1), B(9,3) and C(11, 4)
(b) P(5,1), Q(7,2) and R(15, 3)

2. Given that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 1 𝑎 + 𝑏 show that the points A, B and C are collinear
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑎 + 2𝑏 and 𝐵𝐶 2

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 Activity 5
1. show whether the following set of points are collinear of not
(a) A(2,-2), B(3,4) and C(5, 3)
(b) P(-2, -2), Q(2,1) and R(10, 7)
(c) X(-3, -11), Y(1,1) and Z (4,10)
2. Given that that 𝑃𝑄 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 1 𝑝 − 2 𝑞 and 𝑄𝑅
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑝 − 2𝑞 . show that the points P,Q and R
3 3

Ratio theorem

(i) Part to part ratio

𝑚
If AX: XB = m: n, then ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
AX = 𝑚+𝑛 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 andXB ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑛 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 , where n and m are constant real
𝑚+𝑛
numbers
(ii) Part to whole ratio
𝑚
If AX: AB = m: n, then ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
AX = 𝑛 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 andXB ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑛−𝑚 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 , where n and m are constant real
𝑛
numbers

Example 6
1. Given that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑎 and AX: XB = 1:3 Express in terms of 𝑎
(a) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝑋
(b) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
XB
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑝 + 𝑞 and PM: PQ = 2: 5. Express in terms of 𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞
2. Given that 𝑃𝑄
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
(𝑎)𝑃𝑀
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
(b) MQ
Activity 6
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝑎 + 3𝑏 and AX: XB = 1:2 Express in terms of 𝑎 and 𝑏
1. Given that 𝐴𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
(𝑎)𝐴𝑋
(b) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
XB
2. Given that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄 = 3𝑝 − 6𝑞 and PM: PQ = 2: 3. Express in terms of 𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
(𝑎)𝑃𝑀
(b) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
MQ
𝐴𝑇 2
3. Given that AT = 2𝑎 - 𝑏 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of 𝑎 and 𝑏
= . Express 𝐴𝐵
𝐴𝐵 5

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Vector geometry
We usually use triangular rule of addition and ratio theorems when solving geometrical problems,.
Example 7: In the diagram below ABC and ADE are straight lines, CD and BE intersect at F so that
BF: FE = 1:2. B is the midpoint of AC and D is the midpoint of AE

(a) Given that 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑞 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝐴𝐷 = 𝑝 express as simply as possible in terms of 𝑝 and/or 𝑞
(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐸
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐸
(iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐷𝐹
(b) Given also that 𝐷𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = h𝐷𝐹
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
(i) Express 𝐷𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of h, 𝑝 and 𝑞
ℎ 2ℎ
(ii) Hence, show that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶 = (1 − 3)𝑝 + 3 𝑞

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 3𝑎 and⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
Activity 7: In the diagram below, OAB is a triangle in which 𝑂𝐴 𝑂𝐵= 6𝑏. OC: CA = 2: 3
and AD: DB = 1:2 OD meets CB at E.

(a) Express each of the following in terms of 𝑎 and / or 𝑏

(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐷
(iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶
(b) Given that 𝐵𝐸 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =h𝐵𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ,
(i) express 𝐵𝐸 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of ℎ, 𝑎 and 𝑏
6
(ii) hence show that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑂𝐸 = 5 ℎ𝑎 + 6(1 − ℎ)𝑏

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 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝑝 , 𝑂𝑄
Example 8: In the diagram below 𝑂𝑃 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 4𝑞 and PX: XQ = 1: 2.

(a) Express in terms of 𝑝 and/ or 𝑞

(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑋
(iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑋
(b) Given that⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =4(1 − ℎ)q – 4ℎ 𝑝
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . Show that 𝐶𝑄
𝑂𝐶 = h𝑂𝑋
3 3

Activity 8: The diagram below is a trapezium OABC. M is the midpoint of AB, OM and CA meet at
X. ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝑞 and 𝐶𝐵
𝑂𝐴 = 4𝑝, 𝑂𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝑝

(a) Express as simply as possible in terms 𝑝 and/or 𝑞

(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝐴
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
(iii) 𝑂𝑀
(b) Given that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝑋 = h𝐶𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ,
(i) Express 𝐶𝑋 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of h, 𝑝 and 𝑞
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 4ℎ𝑝 +2(1 − ℎ)𝑞
Show that 𝑂𝑋

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 Examples 9
1
1. In the diagram below ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑏, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑎, 𝑂𝐵 𝑂𝑁 = 3 𝑂𝐵, and AP: PB = 3:2

(a) Express the following in terms of 𝑎 and/or 𝑏

(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑃
(iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝑁
(b) Given that 𝑂𝑋⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = ℎ𝑂𝑃 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , express 𝑂𝑋 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of 𝑎 ,𝑏 and h
(c) given also that 𝐴𝑋 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑘𝐴𝑁 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , express 𝑂𝑋⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of 𝑎 ,𝑏 and k
(d) use your answers in (b) and (c) to find the numerical values of h and k

2. ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑎 and 𝑂𝐵
in the diagram below 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑏, B is a point along OC and the lines AB and OD
intersect at P

(a) Express ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝐴𝐵 in terms of 𝑎 and/or 𝑏
(b) Given that𝐴𝑃 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = ℎ𝐴𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , show that 𝑂𝑃
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑏 + (1 − h)𝑎
(c) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 3𝑏 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
If 𝑂𝐶 𝐶𝐷 = 2𝑎. Write down an expression for ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐷 in terms of 𝑎 and 𝑏
(d) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
Given that 𝑂𝑃 = 𝑘𝑂𝐷, use your answers in (b)and (c) to find the values of ℎ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝑃
(e) Find the numerical value of the ratio 𝑃𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

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 Activity 9
1. A is a point on ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄 such that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑄𝑃= 4 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑄𝐴. B is the midpoint of ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑃. ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ intersect at
𝑂𝐴 and 𝑄𝐵
X

(a) Given that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑂𝑃 = 𝑎 and 𝑂𝑄 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ =𝑏. Express the following in terms of 𝑎 and/or 𝑏
(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴
(iii) 𝑄𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
(b) If ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑄𝑋 = ℎ𝑄𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , express ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑋 in terms of 𝑎 , 𝑏 and h
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑘𝑂𝐴
(c) If 𝑂𝑋 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , use your answer to (b) to find the values h and k
(d) Hence express ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑂𝑋 in terms of 𝑎 and 𝑏 only
2. OPRQ is a parallelogram in which ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑂𝑃 = 𝑝 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑄 = 𝑞. The point E on ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑃 is positioned
such that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐸 : ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐸𝑃 = 1 : 2

(a) press the following in terms of 𝑝 and/or 𝑞

(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑅
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐸
(iii) 𝑄𝐸 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑄𝐸
(b) 𝑂𝑅 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ meet at F. Given that 𝑄𝐹 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = k𝑄𝐸 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , express the following in terms of 𝑝 , 𝑞and k
(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑄𝐹
(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐹
(c) Given also that 𝑂𝐹 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = ℎ𝑂𝑅
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , express 𝑂𝐹
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ in terms of 𝑝 , 𝑞and h
(d) Find the values of h and k
(e) Find the ratio of ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐹 : 𝑂𝑅

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