13 Vectors in two dimensions

Thought is an idea in transit.

Pythagoras (C. 569 BC – 475 BC)

Thailand

Philippines

Malaysia

Indonesia

Australia

Discussion point
The lines on this weather map are examples of vectors. What do they
tell you about the wind at any place?

Terminology and notation

The focus of this chapter is vectors in two dimensions. A vector is a
quantity that has both magnitude and direction, for example, a velocity
of 60 km h–1 in a southerly direction. In contrast, a scalar quantity has
a magnitude but no direction attached to it, for example, a speed of
60 km h–1 where no direction is given.
A vector in two dimensions can be represented by drawing a straight
line with an arrowhead to define the direction. The direction is often
given as the angle the vector makes with the positive x-axis, with
anticlockwise taken as positive.

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 Terminology and notation

35°

You need to be able to recognise and use a number of different

conventions for writing vectors, as outlined below.
A vector joining the points A and B can be written as AB or just given a
single letter, e.g. r.
In print, vectors are usually in bold type, for example, a, but when you
are writing them by hand it is usual to underline them, as in a, or put an
arrow above as in OA.
A unit vector is any vector of length 1. i and j are principal unit vectors
of length 1 in the positive x and y directions respectively.
j

i
Position vectors start at the origin and are the vector equivalent of
This vector is in coordinates. For example, the vector joining the origin to the point (2, 5)
component form: is written as
the two components 2
represent distances   This is a column vector.
5
in the x and y
directions. or 2i + 5j.

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 13 VECTORs IN TwO DImENsIONs

4
or 4i + 3j
3
3

A C
4

In the diagram, the vector AB is 4 units in the x direction and 3 units in

4
This can be found by the y direction and can be written either as the column vector   or as
using Pythagoras’ 4i +3j.  3
theorem or, in
this example, by The magnitude or modulus of a vector is its length and is denoted by
recognising it as a 3, vertical lines on either side of the vector, for example, | a | or |OA|.
4, 5 triangle. In the diagram above, |AC| = 4, |BC| = 3 and |AB| = 5.
All of the vectors introduced so far have had both their x and y
components in the positive directions, but this is not always the case.
The negative of a vector a is the vector –a. –a is parallel to a but in the
opposite direction.

a −a

Worked example
Sketch the following vectors and find their magnitude:
 −1   −3 
a   b 2i − 5 j c  
 3  −4 

Using Pythagoras’ Solution

theorem to find  −1  2 b 2 i − 5 j = 2 2 + (−5)2
2
a   = (−1) + 3 2
the magnitude of  3
the vector = 29
= 10
= 5.39 (3 s.f.)
= 3.16 (3 s.f.) 3
5

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 Terminology and notation

 −3  3
c   =
 −4 
((−3) 2 + (−4) 2 )
=5

Worked example
Write the vector b C

‘distance to the a as a column vector

right’ first and b using the unit vectors i and j. b
‘distance up’ below Solution 1
2
a From the diagram, b =   .
1 θ
This is called b b = 2i + j A B
component form. 2

Exercise 13.1 1 Express the following vectors in component form:

a y
5

4
a
3

−1 1 2 3 4 5 x
−1

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 13 VECTORs IN TwO DImENsIONs

Exercise 13.1 (cont) b y

3

2
b
1

−3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 x
−1

c y
2
c
1

1 2 3 4 5 x

d y
5

4
d
3

1 2 3 4 5 x

2 The coordinates of points P, Q, R and S are (–1, –2), (–2, 1), (1, 2) and
(2, –1) respectively. The origin is the point O.
a Mark the points on a grid. Use equal scales on the two axes.
b Write as column vectors:
i OR ii RO
c Write as column vectors:
i PR ii QS
d Write down the lengths of the vectors:
i PQ ii QR iii RS iv SP
e Describe the quadrilateral PQRS.
3 Draw diagrams to illustrate each of the following vectors:
a 2i b 3j c 2i + 3j d 2i – 3j
4 For each of the following vectors
i draw a diagram ii find its magnitude.
       
a 0 b  −3  c 5 d  5
4  0  7  −7 

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 Adding and subtracting vectors

5 A(−1, 4), B(2, 7) and C(5, 0) form the vertices of a triangle.

a Draw the triangle on graph paper. Using your diagram, write the
vectors representing the sides AB, BC and AC as column vectors.
b Which is the longest side of the triangle?
6 A, B, C and D have coordinates (−3, −4), (0, 2), (5, 6) and (2, 0)
respectively.
a Draw the quadrilateral ABCD on graph paper.
b Write down the position vectors of the points A, B, C and D.
c Write down the vectors AB, DC, BC and AD.
d Describe shape ABCD.
7 AB = j, BC is the vector 2i + 2j and CD = i.
a Sketch the shape ABCD.
b Write AD as a column vector.
c Describe shape ABCD.

Multiplying a vector by a scalar

When a vector is multiplied by a scalar (i.e. a number) then its length is
multiplied but its direction is unchanged.
For example, 3a = a + a + a gives a vector three times as long as a in the
same direction and 2(2i + j) gives a vector twice as long as 2i + j in the
same direction.

a
2i + 3j
3a
2(2i + 3j)

Adding and subtracting vectors

To add vectors written in component form, simply add the
x-components together and the y-components together as shown in the
example below.

Worked example
Add the vectors 2i + 3j and i – 2j
a using algebra b by graphing them.
Collecting like terms Solution
a (2i +3j) + (i – 2j) = (2 + 1)i + (3+(−2))j
= 3i + j
This is called the
resultant vector.
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 13 VECTORs IN TwO DImENsIONs

b The resultant
i − 2j
vector is shown by
2i + 3j
using two arrows.
3i + j

To subtract one vector from another, add the equivalent negative vector.
So, in the same way that 5 − 2 = 5 + (−2) = 3,
 6   4   6   −4 
 −   =  +  
 5   2   5   −2 
 6 + (−4 ) 
=  

 5 + ( −2 ) 
2
= 
 3
Alternatively, you can simply subtract the second component from the
     8 − (−1)   9 
first component in each case, for example,  8 − −1 =   = 
−2  4  (−2 ) − 4   −6 
A very important result involves subtracting vectors.
Look at this diagram:
y A
B
a

O x

The position vector of A is OA = a.

The position vector of B is OB = b.
What can you say about the vector AB joining point A to point B?
Vector addition gives a + AB = b
So, AB = b − a

Worked example
The point P has position vector −5i + 3j.
The point Q has position vector 7i − 8j.

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 Zero and unit vectors

Solution
PQ = q − p
PQ = 7i − 8j −(−5i + 3j)
PQ = 12i − 11j

Zero and unit vectors

The zero vector, 0, is the result of adding two vectors a and (−a).
Since a + (−a) starts and finishes at the same place, a + (−a) = 0.
Remember, in  0
column form It can be written as 0i + 0j or as   .
 0
1
i is written as 0 and To find the unit vector in the direction of any given vector, divide the
 
given vector by its magnitude (length).
 
j is written as 01 .
 
Worked example
Find unit vectors parallel to:
 3
a   b 2 i − 3 j.
4
Remember to
multiply each Solution
component of the  3
vector by 1 .
a   = 32 + 4 2
4
5 =5  3   0.6 
The required unit vector is 1   =  
5  4   0.8 
This could also
be written as b 2i − 3 j = 2 2 + ( −3) 2
0.555 i − 1.11 j
= 13
(3 s.f.) but it is
often better to The required unit vector is 1 (2 i − 3 j) .
13
leave an answer in
an exact form.
Worked example
Find the unit vector in the direction of 2i – 4j. Give your answer in simplest
surd form.

Solution Rationalising the denominator,

this can also be written as
2 i − 4 j = 2 2 + (−4 ) 2
5 i − 2 5 j.
= 20 5 5
=2 5
1 2 i − 4 j = 1 i − 2 j.
The required unit vector is ( )
2 5 5 5

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 13 VECTORs IN TwO DImENsIONs

Worked example
 3 1
a =   and b =  
4  7

Find: a 2 a + 3b b 3a − 2 b
Notice that in
2a + 3b, 2 and 3 are Solution
scalars multiplying  3 1   3 1
a 2 a + 3b = 2   + 3   b 3a − 2 b = 3   − 2  
the vectors a 4   7 4  7
and b.  6   3  9   2
=  +   =  −  
 8   21   12   14 

 6+3   9−2 
=  = 
 8 + 21   12 − 14 
9 7
=  = 
 29   −2 

Worked example
PQRS is a parallelogram, with PQ = 3i + 4 j and PS = 5i.
Q R

3i + 4j

P 5i S

a State the vectors that represent SR and QR.

b Find the lengths of the sides of the parallelogram, and hence identify the
type of parallelogram.

Solution
a SR is parallel to PQ so is represented by the same vector, i.e. 3i + 4j.
Similarly, QR is parallel to PS and so QR = 5i.
b PS = QR = 5i
= 5 units
PQ = SR = 3i + 4 j
= 32 + 4 2
= 5 units
A parallelogram with all four sides equal is a rhombus.

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 Zero and unit vectors

There are many applications of vectors because many quantities have

magnitude and direction. One of these is velocity and this is illustrated
in the following example.

Worked example
Remember In this example, answers are given to 2 s. f. The unit vectors i and j are in the
that bearings directions east and north.
are measured The Antares is a sailing boat. It is travelling at a speed of 3 km h–1 on a bearing
clockwise from the of 030o.
north. a Find the components of this boat’s velocity N Antares
30o
in the directions east and north.
The Bellatrix is another boat. It has velocity 2i – j
1.5j in km h–1. i
E
b Find the speed and direction of the Bellatrix.
Both boats start at the same place.
Bellatrix
c How far apart are they after 2 hours?

Solution
a The components of the velocity of the Antares are shown on this
right-angled triangle.
u1

u2 3 km h–1

They are u1 = 3sin30o = 1.5 in the direction east

and u1 = 3cos30o = 2.6 in the direction north
So the velocity of the Antares is 1.5i + 2.6j km h–1.
b The velocity of the Bellatrix is shown in this triangle.
2 km h–1

1.5 km h–1

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 13 VECTORs IN TwO DImENsIONs

The boat’s speed is the magnitude of its velocity, v = 2 2 + 1.5 2 = 2.5

The angle α in the diagram is given by tan α = 1.5 ⇒ α = 37°
2
and so the compass bearing on which the boat is travelling is 90o + 37o =127o.
So the speed of the Bellatrix is 2.5 km h−1 and the direction is 127o.
c Assuming both boats started at the origin, their positions after 2 hours are
Antares 2 × (1.5i + 2.6j) = 3i + 5.2j
Bellatrix 2 × (2i − 1.5j) = 4i − 3j
So the displacement from the Bellatrix to the Antares is
(3i + 5.2j) − (4i − 3j) = −i + 7.2j
and the distance between the boats is
(−1) 2 + 7.2 2 = 7.3 km (to 2 s.f.).
In this example, the velocity of the Antares was given in speed-direction form
and was converted into components form. For the Bellatrix the reverse process
was followed, converting from components into speed and direction. You need
to be able to do both these conversions.

Exercise 13.2 1 Simplify the following:

2  1  3   −1  5 0
a  +  b  +  c  + 
 3 5  −1   3  0 5
2 Simplify the following:
a (2i + 3j) − (3i − 2j) b 3(2i + 3j) − 2(3i − 2j)
3 Given that a = 3i + 4j, b = 2i − 3j and c = −i + 5j, find the following
vectors:
a a+b+c b a+b−c c a−b+c
d 2a + b + 3c e a − 2b + 3c f 2(a + b) − 3(b − c)
g 2(2a + b − c) – 3(a − 2b + c)
4 Sketch each of the following vectors and find their moduli:
a 3i + 4 j b 3i − 4 j c 7i d −7i
e 5i + 3 j f 2i − 7 j g 6i − 6 j h i+ j
5 Write the vectors joining each pair of points
i in the form ai + bj ii as a column vectors.
a (1, 4) to (3, 7) b (1, 3) to (2, −4)
c (0, 0) to (3, 5) d (−3, 7) to (7, −3)
e (−4, 2) to (0, 0) f (−5, −2) to (−1,0)

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 Zero and unit vectors

6 y B

b
a

O x

The diagram shows a parallelogram OABC with OA = a and OB = b.

Write the following vectors in terms of a and b:
a AB b BA c CB d BC
e OB f BO g AC h CA
7 y
C
3i + 2j

B
2i + 3j
D x

ABCD is a rhombus where A is the point (−1, −2).

a Write the vectors AD and DC as column vectors.
b Write the diagonals AC and BD as column vectors.
c Use the properties of a parallelogram to find the coordinates of the
point of intersection of the diagonals.
d Find the gradients of the diagonals and hence verify that the
diagonals are perpendicular.
8 Find unit vectors parallel to each of the following:
 5
a 3i – 4j b 5i + 7j c  
 12 
 2 1 
d   e 5i f  
 −6  1 
9 A is the point (−3, −2), B is the point (5, 4) and C is the point (2, 8).
a Sketch the triangle ABC.
b Find the vectors representing the three sides AB, BC and CA in the
form xi + yj .
c Find the lengths of each side of the triangle.
d What type of triangle is triangle ABC?

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 13 VECTORs IN TwO DImENsIONs

Exercise 13.2 (cont) 10 ABCD is a kite and AC and BD meet at the B

origin O. A is the point (−4, 0), B is (0, 4)
and D is (0, −8).
The diagonals of a kite are perpendicular and
O is the midpoint of AC. A C
a Find each of the following in terms O
of i and j:
i OC ii AB iii BC
iv AD v CD vi AC
b Find the lengths of the lines OC, AB, BC, AD, CD
and AC.
c State two descriptions that are common to D
the triangles AOB, BOC and ABC.

11 A (4, 4), B(24, 19) and C (48, 12) form the vertices of a triangle.
a Sketch the triangle.
b Write the vectors AB, BC and AC as column vectors.
c Find the lengths of the sides of the triangle.
d What type of triangle is ABC?
12 Salman and Aloke are hiking on a flat level ground. Their starting point
is taken as the origin and the unit vectors i and j are in the directions east
and north. Salman walks with constant velocity 3i + 6j kilometres per
hour. Aloke walks on a compass bearing of 300o at a steady speed of
6.5 kilometres per hour.
i Who is walking fastest and by how much?
ii How far apart are they after 1½ hours?
13 Ama has her own small aeroplane. One afternoon, she flies for 1 hour
with a velocity of 120i + 160j km h−1 where i and j are unit vectors in the
directions east and north.
Then she flies due north for 1 hour at the same speed. Finally, she returns
to her starting point; flying in a straight line at the same speed.
Find, to the nearest degree, the direction in which she travels on the final
leg of her journey and, to the nearest minute, how long it takes her.

Past-paper questions
1 In this question i is a unit vector due East and j is a unit vector due
North.
At 12 00 hours, a ship leaves a port P and travels with a speed of
26 kmh–1 in the direction 5i + 12j.
(i) Show that the velocity of the ship is (10i + 24j) kmh–1. [2]
(ii) Write down the position vector of the ship, relative to P, at
16 00 hours. [1]
(iii) Find the position vector of the ship, relative to P, t hours after
16 00 hours. [2]

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 Zero and unit vectors

At 16 00 hours, a speedboat leaves a lighthouse which has position

vector (120i + 81j) km, relative to P, to intercept the ship. The
speedboat has a velocity of (−22i + 30j) kmh–1.
(iv) Find the position vector, relative to P, of the speedboat t hours
after 16 00 hours. [1]
(v) Find the time at which the speedboat intercepts the ship and the
position vector, relative to P, of the point of interception. [4]
Cambridge O Level Additional Mathematics 4037
Paper 12 Q10 June 2014
Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606
Paper 12 Q10 June 2014
2 Relative to an origin O, the position vectors of the points A and B
are 2i – 3j and 11i + 42j respectively.
(i) Write down an expression for AB. [2]
1
The point C lies on AB such that AC = AB.
3
(ii) Find the length of OC. [4]
The point D lies on OA such that DC is parallel to OB.
(iii) Find the position vector of D. [2]
Cambridge O Level Additional Mathematics 4037
Paper 21 Q8 June 2012
Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606
Paper 21 Q8 June 2012
3 Relative to an origin O, the position vectors of the points A and B
are i – 4j and 7i + 20j respectively. The point C lies on AB and is such
2
that AC = AB. Find the position vector of C and the magnitude of
3
this vector. [5]
Cambridge O Level Additional Mathematics 4037
Paper 21 Q3 June 2011
Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606
Paper 21 Q3 June 2011

Learning outcomes
Now you should be able to:
 
H use vectors in any form, e.g.  a  , LM, r, pi – qj
b
H know and use position vectors and unit vectors
H find the magnitude of a vector; add and subtract vectors and
multiply vectors by scalars
H compose and resolve velocities.

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 13 VECTORs IN TwO DImENsIONs

Key points
4 A vector quantity has both a magnitude and a direction; a
scalar quantity has magnitude only.
4 Vectors are typeset in bold, for example a, or they may be written
as lines with arrows along the top, for example OA. When they
are hand-written they are underlined, for example a.
4 The length of a vector is also referred to as its magnitude or
modulus. The length of the vector a is written as |a| or a and can
be found using Pythagoras’ theorem.
4 A unit vector has length 1. Unit vectors in the directions x and y
are denoted by i and j respectively.  x
4 A vector can be written in component form, xi + yj or   , as in
magnitude-direction form – ( r,θ ).  y
4 The position vector OA of a point A is the vector joining the
origin to A.
4 The vector AB is given by b – a where a and b are the positions
vectors of A and B.

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