2

VECTORS

 Introduction to vectors

 Addition, subtraction and scalar multiples of vectors

 Magnitude of a vector

 The dot product and applications

 Vector projections

 Proofs using vectors

 Displacement and velocity

 Resolving forces and equilibrium

 Projectile motion
CHAPTER 2
26 Chapter 2: Vectors

Exercise 2B

Addition, subtraction and scalar multiples of vectors

Fundamentals

Fundamentals 1
−→ −→
(a) When a vector AB is multiplied by a constant k to give k AB, then k is called the s .

−→ −→
(b) If k > 1, then k AB is longer/shorter (circle one) than the original vector AB.
−→ −→
(c) If k < 1, then k AB is longer/shorter (circle one) than the original vector AB.
−→ −→
(d) If k = −1, then k AB is the same as AB, but f the other way around.
(e) Vectors that are scalar multiples of each other are p to each other on the plane.
(f) In other words if u = k for k 6= 0, then u and v are p .
(g) Conversely, if u and v are p , then = for some k 6= 0.

Fundamentals 2
−→
The diagram below shows the vector AB.
y B

−→
(a) Draw the equivalent position vector. (b) Draw 2AB.
−→ −→
(c) Draw 12 AB. (d) Draw −AB.

Fundamentals 3
−→ −−→
(a) AB + BC =
(b) In general,
−−−→ −−−→ −−−→ −−−−−→
A1 A2 + A2 A3 + A3 A4 + · · · + An−1 An =

(c) This is sometimes referred to as the p rule.

M ASTERING M ATHEMATICS
 2B Addition, subtraction and scalar multiples of vectors 27

Question 1 Let a = i + 2 j and b = −2 i + 3 j . Calculate the following.

e e e e
(a) −a (b) 2b (c) a+b

(d) a−b (e) 2a + 3b (f) 3a − 2b

" # " #
−2 4
Question 2 Let a = and b = . Calculate the following.
3 4

1
(a) −b (b) 2b (c) a+b

(d) a−b (e) a − 2b (f) 2a − 3b

Question 3 Let a = h−2, 4i and b = h5, 6i. Calculate the following.

(a) 3a + 5b (b) 4b − 2a (c) − 12 a − b

Question 4 Find the value(s) of k such that the following vectors are parallel.

(a) h2, ki, h6, 3i (b) h−2k, 6i, h4, 12i (c) k, k 2 , h−4, 6i

Question 5 [Confirming tip-to-tail addition numerically]

The diagram below shows a = 3 i + j and b = i + 4 j on the plane.

e e e e

(a) Draw a + b.

(b) Read off from your diagram an expression for a + b.

(c) Calculate a + b by adding their components.

28 Chapter 2: Vectors

Question 6 [Adding vectors that are connected tail-to-tail]

The diagram below shows two vectors u and v.

u
v

(a) ‘Complete’ the parallelogram.

(b) Hence, draw u + v.
(c) Complete the following statement.

To add two vectors u and v that are connected tail-to-tail, first complete the p that
they outline. Connect the tail to the o vertex, and that is vector u + v.

Question 7 [Subtracting vectors when connected tail-to-tail]

The diagram below shows two vectors u and v.

u
v

−−→
(a) Find BC in terms of u and v.
−−→
(b) Write down CB in terms of u and v.
(c) Complete the following statement.

Given two vectors u and v that are connected tail-to-tail, the vector u − v is just the line
connecting the tip of v to the tip of u. Conversely the vector v − u is just the line connecting
the tip of to the tip of .

M ASTERING M ATHEMATICS
 2B Addition, subtraction and scalar multiples of vectors 29

Question 8 The diagram below shows two vectors a and b. Draw the following vectors.

1
(a) 2a (b) 2b (c) −b
(d) −2b (e) a+b (f) a−b

Question 9 The diagram below shows two vectors u and v. Draw the following vectors.

(a) u+v (b) −v (c) u−v

−−→ −−→ −→
Question 10 Let A, B and C be the vertices of a triangle. Simplify AB + BC + CA.
" #
3
Question 11 Define a = . Find the value of k in each of the following so that ka is equivalent
−2
to
 
" # " # 1
12 −9
(a) (b) (c)  2
−8 6 −
3

Question 12 The diagram below shows a line segment AE with three points in between B, C and
D such that the interval AE is split into four equal intervals.

A
30 Chapter 2: Vectors

−→
Let AC = u. Find the following in terms of u.
−−→ −−→ −−→
(a) AB (b) DC (c) BD
−−→ −−→ −−→
(d) EC (e) BE (f) DA

Question 13 Define points A(0, 1), B(2, 5), C(5, 4) and D(3, 0).
−−→ −−→
(a) Calculate AB and DC.
−−→ −−→
(b) Hence, explain why AB and DC are parallel.
−−→ −−→
(c) Similarly, show that BC and AD are parallel.
(d) State the type of quadrilateral that ABCD forms.

Question 14 The diagram below shows a square ABCD.

D C

A B

−−→ −−→
Let AB = u and BC = v. Write down the following in terms of u and v.
−−→ −−→ −−→
(a) AD (b) DA (c) CD
−→ −−→ −→
(d) AC (e) BD (f) CA

Question 15 The diagram below shows a parallelogram ABCD.

D C

A B

−−→ −−→
Let AB = u and AD = v. Write down the following in terms of u and v.
−→ −−→
(a) AC (b) BD

M ASTERING M ATHEMATICS
 2B Addition, subtraction and scalar multiples of vectors 31

Question 16 Let u = h−2, 1i and v = h5, 3i be vectors. Find the values of a such that
(a) u + av is parallel to the x-axis. (b) u + av is parallel to the y-axis.
(c) u + av is parallel to the vector h3, 6i. (d) u + av is parallel to the vector h−2, 3i.

Question 17 [Proof]

Let a and b be vectors, and k1 , k2 be real constants. Prove the following properties of vector ad-
dition, subtraction, and scalar multiples.
(a) a+b=b+a (b) a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c (c) a + (−a) = 0
(d) k(a + b) = ka + kb (e) (k1 + k2 )a = k1 a + k2 a (f) (k1 k2 )a = k1 (k2 a)

Question 18 Find the values of a and b so that

" # " # " #
2 5 −4
a +b =
−1 4 − 11

Question 19 [Harder than it looks]

The diagram below shows a rhombus ABCD.

D C

u v

A B
−→ −−→
Let AC = u and BD = v. Write down the following in terms of u and v.
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
(a) AB (b) BC (c) CD (d) DA
32 Chapter 2: Vectors

Challenge Problems

Problem 1 The diagram below shows a point P on an interval U V , which is twice as far from
−−→ −−→ −−→
V as it is from U . Let u = OU , v = OV and p = OP .

U P
V

u p v

−−→
(a) Write down the vector that represents u + U V .
−−→
(b) Write down the vector that represents u + U P .
(c) Deduce that p = 23 u + 13 v.

Problem 2 The diagram below shows an equilateral triangle ABC and two vectors u and v
that connect each vertex to the midpoint to the opposite side.

u v

A C

−−→ 1 −−→
(a) Show that AB + BC = u
2
−−→ −−→
(b) Find a similar expression for v in terms of AB and BC.
−−→ 2
(c) Hence, show that AB = (2u + v).
3
−−→
(d) Find a similar expression for BC in terms of u and v.

M ASTERING M ATHEMATICS
80 Chapter 2: Vectors

Chapter 2 Review
Vectors

Review

Question 1 Let A = (−2, 4), B = (1, −3) and C = (6, −1), and let O be the origin. Write
" #
a
down the vector that corresponds to the following. Express your answer using a i + b j and
e e b
notation.
−→ −−→ −−→
(a) OA (b) OC (c) AB
−−→ −→ −−→
(d) BA (e) AC (f) BC

" # " #
2a − 3b 9
Question 2 Find the value of a and b so that =
a+b 2

" # " #
1 −2
Question 3 If u is the position vector and v is the position vector determine
3 2

(a) u−v (b) v − 3u (c) 2u + 3v

Question 4 Find the value of k such that hk, 6i = h6, 18i

Question 5 The diagram below shows two vectors a and b. Draw the following vectors

a
b

1
(a) 2a (b) − b (c) 3b
2
(d) a+b (e) a−b (f) −a − b

Question 6 Define points A(−2, −1), B(0, 3), C(3, 2) and D(1, −2)
−−→ −−→
(a) Calculate AB and DC.
−−→ −−→
(b) Hence, explain why AB and CD are parallel.
−−→ −−→
(c) Similarly, show that BC and AD are parallel.
(d) State the type of quadrilateral that ABCD forms.

M ASTERING M ATHEMATICS
 Chapter 2 Review 81

Question 7 The diagram below shows a parallelogram ABCD.

D C

A u B
−−→ −−→
Let AB = u and BC = v. Write down the following in terms of u and v.
−−→ −−→ −−→
(a) AD (b) DA (c) CD
−→ −−→ −→
(d) AC (e) BD (f) CA

−→ −−→
Question 8 The diagram below shows a regular hexagon ABCDEF . Let u = AF and v = AB

C D

B E

A u F

Express the following vectors in terms of u and v

−−→ −−→ −−→
(a) CD (b) ED (c) BE
−−→ −→ −−→
(d) FC (e) FA (f) FB
−−→ −−→ −→
(g) CE (h) FE (i) AE
82 Chapter 2: Vectors

−−→ −−→
Question 9 Let OB and OC be position vectors as shown.

C
B

u v

x
1

" #
−−→
(a) Write down BC in terms of; u and v, x i + y j ,
e e
1
(b) Draw the following vector − v and write it in form x i + y j
2 e e
(c) Draw the following vector u + v and write it in form x i + y j
e
−−→ −−→ −−→
e
(d) If points P and Q are midpoints of OB and OC, write down P Q in terms of u and v and
xi + yj
e
−−→ −−→
e
(e) State the geometric relationship between P Q and BC

Question 10 Two position vectors A(3, 4) and B(−4, 3). P is a point on the line passing
−→ −−→
through A and B such that AP = mAB. Find
−−→
(a) AB
(b) The distance between A and B
(c) The position vector of P in terms of m
(d) The value of m if P lies on the y axis
(e) The value of m if P lies on the line y = x

Question 11 Let u = h−3, 1i and v = h4, 2i. Find the value a in each of the following such
that u + av is
(a) Parallel to the x axis
(b) Parallel to the y axis
(c) Parallel to the vector h5, 5i

M ASTERING M ATHEMATICS
 Chapter 2 Review 83

Question 12 P , Q and R are points with position vectors p, q and r, where P = 2 i + 6 j ,

q = 4 i + 2 j and r = 2 i − 4 j e e
e e
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
e e
(a) Find QP and QR (b) Find QP and QR
−−→ −−→ 1
(c) Find QP · QR (d) Show that cos ∠P QR = − √
2
(e) Hence find the magnitude of ∠P QR (f) Calculate p · p and q · r

Question 13
" #
−3
(a) Find the unit vector v in the direction of the vector
4
" #
−6
(b) Express the vector in terms of v
8

Question 14

(a) If |u| = 5, |v| = 2 and the angle between u and v is 45◦ find u · v
(b) If |u| = 5, |v| = 2 and the angle between u and v is 135◦ find u · v

Question 15 Find the vector u which has a magnitude of 26 units and is in the same direction
" #
12
as
5

Question 16 Consider two vectors u = 2 i − 3 j and v = 5 i + j , find

e e e e
(a) the scalar projection of u onto v (b) the scalar projection of v onto u
(c) the vector projection of u onto v (d) the vector projection of v onto u

Question 17 If A and B are points with position vectors u and v such that |u| = 6, |v| = 8
and u · v = 24
1
(a) Show that cos θ =
2
(b) Find AB
84 Chapter 2: Vectors

Question 18 Let A and B be the points defined by the position vectors a = 3 i + 4 j and
b = 12 i − 5 j e e
e
−−→ −−→
e
(a) Find BA, AB
−→ −−→ −−→
(b) Find OA , OB and BA
(c) Find ∠AOB
(d) Find ∠OAB
(e) Find ∠ABO
−−→
(f) Find the unit vector parallel to AB

Question 19 Use vector methods to prove that

(a) in a rectangle, diagonals bisect each other and are equal in length.
(b) the diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.
(c) the midpoint of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is equidistant from all three vertices
of the triangle.

(d) the line segment joining the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side
and half the length.

(e) the midpoints of the sides of any arbitrary quadrilateral form a parallelogram.

Question 20 Bob and Mary set out on two boats B and M with position vectors 3 i + 6 j and
3 i + j respectively. The velocity of Bob’s boat is 3 i + j km h−1 and the velocity of Mary’seboat
e

is 2 i e+ 4 j km h−1 .
e e e
e e
(a) Draw up the position vectors of both boats B and M
−−→
(b) Write down the vector BM after t hours
(c) Find the position of Bob and Mary’s boat after 1 hour
(d) How far apart will Bob and Mary’s boat be after 1 hour?
(e) Find the distance between the boats after t hours

M ASTERING M ATHEMATICS
 Chapter 2 Review 85

Question 21 Bob rides his boat across a 100 metre-wide river that flows at 6 m s−1 . His boat
is able to travel at a constant speed of 8 m s−1 in still water. He points the boat to go straight to
the other side but his boat drifts as a result of the flow of the river.

River flow 6 m s−1

or
vect
Boat 8 m s−1 y 100 m
lo cit
Ve

(a) Write down Bob’s velocity vector in the form x i + y j .

e e
(b) What is the magnitude of Bob’s velocity vector?
(c) What is the direction of Bob’s velocity vector, to the nearest degree?
(d) Hence, how far did Bob actually travel, correct to 1 d.p?
(e) How long did the trip take?
(f) If Bob begins from (0, 0), at what point will he meet the other end of the river?
(g) In what direction should he have pointed the boat, so that his overall trajectory was vertical?

Question 22 A helicopter can fly at 160 km h−1 in still air. The wind is blowing at 20 km h−1
from the east.
(a) On what bearing should the helicopter head in order to fly directly to a point 100 km due
north?

(b) On what bearing should the helicopter head in order to fly directly to a point 100 km due
south?

Question 23 A mass of 8 kg is suspended from two strings of length 0.9 m and 1.2 m. The
ends of the string on the horizontal plane are 1.5 m apart. Find the tension in the string.

1.5 m

0.9 m 1.2 m

8 kg
86 Chapter 2: Vectors

Question 24 The diagram below shows an object of mass m on a smooth plane inclined at
some angle from the horizontal plane.

N T

mg

Find the tension in the string and the magnitude of the force exerted on the body by the plane
if
(a) m = 20 kg and θ = 30◦ (b) m = 10 kg and θ = 45◦

Question 25 A particle of mass 10 kg is suspended by two ropes with tension vectors T1 and
T2 attached to two points in the same horizontal plane. Find |T1 | and |T2 |

60◦ 30◦

Question 26 The diagram below shows an object of unit mass suspended from a ceiling by
two ropes with tension vectors T1 and T2 with lengths 5 m and 12 m respectively. The ropes are
attached to hooks on the ceiling that are 13 metres apart.

13 m

5m 12 m

(a) Show that

5|T1 | − 12|T2 | = 0
12|T1 | + 5|T2 | = 130

(b) Find |T1 | and |T2 |

M ASTERING M ATHEMATICS
 Chapter 2: Investigation Task 87

Question 27 T seconds after a particle is projected, it reaches a point P on its upward path,
where the direction of the flight is 30◦ to −1
√ the horizontal. If V = 40 m s , angle of projection is
4 3
60◦ and g = 10 m s−2 , show that T =
3

Question 28 An object is projected horizontally from the top of a building 125 m high at a
speed of 20 m s−1 . Using g = 10 m s−2 , find
(a) the equations of motion
(b) the time when the object hits the ground and its distance from the base of the building

Question 29 A cricket ball is hit with a velocity of 20 m s−1 at an angle of 30◦ with the
horizontal.
(a) Write down the equations of motion.
(b) Find the greatest height attained.
(c) Find the time of flight.
(d) Find the horizontal distance travelled.

Question 30 A particle is projected and it reaches a maximum height of 100 m and its horizontal
range is 1600 m. Find the angle of projection and the initial velocity of the particle. Use g = 10
m s−2