TI 89 for Vectors

1. Representing vectors using brackets

Although the examples here are two dimensional vectors, three or more dimensional
vectors work the same way. It also works the same way for two or more dimensional
vector functions.

Vectors can be represented on the TI-89 by giving the coordinates of the tip of the
arrow. For example, a vector that goes from the origin to the point (3, 2) is represented
on the TI-89 with the notation [3, 2]. Note the use of brackets instead of parentheses to
denote that the quantity is a vector.

 Store the vector [3, 2] in the vector a on your TI-89 (the store button is above ON

button )

The brackets are above the and keys.

You need to type in the "comma"

between the components when
entering a vector on the TI-89,
but the calculator doesn't display
it when it displays the vectors.
This fact is illustrated in the
above screen shot.

2. Finding the magnitude of a vector

 Press the CATALOG button

 Scroll down and find norm: norm(a) is the magnitude .
 3. Scalar Multiplication of Vectors

 Store the vector [3, -1] in the vector a on your calculator and multiply the vector
by the scalar 2.

 Multiply the vector [2, -5] by the scalar 3 without storing the vector to a variable.

4. Using the unitV Command

The vector that points in the same direction as a and has a magnitude of one can be
found with the unitV command.

Determine a unit vector that points in the same direction as a = [3, 2].

 Open the Math menu by pressing

 Open the Matrix submenu by selecting 4:Matrix and pressing
 Scroll to L: Vector ops

Pressing while at the top of a menu

displays the bottom of the menu, which can
be faster than scrolling down to the bottom of
the menu.
  Open the vector operation's sub menu by pressing

The menu item "1: unitV(" should be highlighted.

 Press to paste it to the Edit Line

 Enter unitV(a)

Each component of a has been multiplied by the reciprocal of the magnitude of a to

create the unit vector that points in the same direction as a. Note that the fractions have
been

5. Dot Products of Vectors

The dot product of a and b can be found by using the command dotP, which is in
the Math Matrix: Vector ops menu.

 Store the vector -2i + 5j into b

Compute the dot product a · b.

 Open the Matrix submenu of the Math menu

 Open the :Vector ops submenu of the Matrix submenu
  Paste dotP( to the Edit Line
 Enter dotP(a,b)

The dot product a · b is 4.

6. Cross Products

A cross product can be calculated with the crossP command, which is found in the Math
Matrix Vector ops menu.

Find the cross product a x b of the previously defined vectors a = [3, 2] and b = [-2, 5].

 Enter crossP(a,b)

[3, 2, 0] x [-2, 5, 0] = [0, 0, 19] = 0i + 0j + 19k

7. Derivatives and Integrals

The derivatives and integrals of a vector function is the similar to taking

derivatives and integrals of a scalar function. For example, taking derivative of a
vector function <t, t2> by first storing it in a, then enter d(a, t). To evaluate the
derivative at t = 2, enter d(a, t) | t = 2.
Taking indefinite integral of a, enter ʃ (a, t). Remember to add a constant vector c.
The definite integral for t from 1 to 2 is ʃ (a, t, 1, 2).