Maths Age 14-16

S7 Vectors

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 Representing vectors

A vector can be represented using a line segment with an

arrow on it.
For example,
B

The magnitude of the vector is given by the length of the line.

The direction of the vector is given by the arrow on the line.

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 Representing vectors

A 6
To go from the point A to the point B we must move 6 units to
the right and 3 units up.
We can represent this movement using a column vector.
This is the horizontal component. It tells
6 us the number of units in the x-direction.
AB =
3 This is the vertical component. It tells us
the number of units in the y-direction.
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 Representing vectors

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 The negative of a vector

If this is the vector a, this is the vector –a.

B B
a –a

A A

The negative of a vector is the same length and has the

same slope, but goes in the opposite direction.
In general,
x –x
if a = then –a =
y –y

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 The negative of a vector

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 Adding vectors

When two or more vectors are added together the result is

called the resultant vector.

We can add two column vectors by adding the horizontal

components together and adding the vertical components
together.

a c
In general, if a = and b =
b d

a+c
a+b =
b+d

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 Adding and subtracting vectors

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 Finding the magnitude of a vector

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