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Coursework Notes - Shape & Space

 

Vectors

 

vectors & scalars

vector notation

triangle law

components

unit vectors

inverse vectors

scalar multiplication

modulus

 

 

Vectors & Scalars

 

A scalar is a quantity that has magnitude only.

 

e.g. mass, length, temperature, speed

 

A vector is a quantity with both magnitude and direction.

 

e.g. force, displacement, acceleration, velocity, momentum

 

 

 

 

 

Vector notation

 

vector notation #3

 

 

The vector from X to Y may also be represented as     V     or    vector notation

 

 

The magnitude of the vector(i.e. its number value) is expressed as:     vector notation #2

 

 

 

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Inverse vectors

 

An inverse vector is a vector of equal magnitude to the original but in the opposite direction.

 

 

vectors - inverse

 

 

vectors - inverse

 

 

 

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The Modulus(magnitude) of a vector

 

This modulus of a vector X is written l X l .

 

The modulus(length of the vector line) can be calculated using Pythagoras' Theorem.

 

This is dealt with in detail in the 'linear graphs section' here . However for completeness, the relevant formula is:

 

 

vectors - magnitude

 

 

 

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Scalar multiplication

 

A scalar quantity(i.e. a number) can alter the magnitude of a vector but not its direction.

 

 

vectors - scalar multiplication

 

 

 

Example - In the diagram(above) the vector of magnitude X is multiplied by 2 to become magnitude 2X.

 

If the vector X starts at the origin and ends at the point (4,4), then the vector 2X will end at (8,8).

 

The scalar multiplication can be represented by column vectors:

 

 

vectors - scalar multiplication

 

 

 

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The Triangle Law (Vector addition)

 

When adding vectors, remember they must run in the direction of the arrows(i.e head to tail).

 

A vector running against the arrowed direction is the resultant vector.

 

That is, the one vector that would have the same effect as the others added together.

 

 

vectors triangle law #1

 

 

 

Example

 

A and B are vectors, as shown below. Find the magnitude of their resultant X.

 

 

vectors example #1

 

 

First we must find the resultant vector. This is done by adding the column matrices

 

representing the vectors.

 

vectors example #2

 

 

vectors example #1

 

 

vectors example #2

 

 

The magnitude of the resultant is given using Pythagoras' Theorem:

 

 

vectors magnitude #2

 

 

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Components

 

A single vector can be represented by two components set at 90 deg. to eachother.

 

This arrangement is very useful in solving 'real world' problems.

 

 

vectors - components

 

 

Looking at the right angled triangle below, you can see where this came from.

 

 

vectors-components#2

 

 

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Unit vectors

 

A unit vector has unit length (1).

 

 

vectors unit

 

 

 

the x-axis coordinate is i and the y-axis coordinate is j

 

 

Example of a vector in terms of unit vectors : 5i + 2 j would be at coordinates (5 , 2).

 

 

Unit vector addition (& subtraction):

 

In turn add i terms and then add j terms.

 

 

example:

5 i + 2 j  plus  2 i + 5 j =  7 i + 7 j

 

in vector terms this can be expressed as:

 

vectors - unit addition

 

 

 

 

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