3.9 Vector Properties

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DP IB Maths: AA HL Your notes
3.9 Vector Properties

Contents
3.9.1 Introduction to Vectors
3.9.2 Position & Displacement Vectors
3.9.3 Magnitude of a Vector
3.9.4 The Scalar Product
3.9.5 The Vector Product
3.9.6 Geometric Proof with Vectors
Page 1 of 40
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3.9.1 Introduction to Vectors

Your notes
Scalars & Vectors
What are scalars?
Scalars are quantities without direction
They have only a size (magnitude)
For example: speed, distance, time, mass
Most scalar quantities can never be negative
You cannot have a negative speed or distance
What are vectors?
Vectors are quantities which also have a direction, this is what makes them more than just a scalar
For example: two objects with velocities of 7 m/s and ‑7 m/s are travelling at the same speed but in
opposite directions
A vector quantity is described by both its magnitude and direction
A vector has components in the direction of the x- , y-, and z- axes
Vector quantities can have positive or negative components
Some examples of vector quantities you may come across are displacement, velocity, acceleration,
force/weight, momentum
Displacement is the position of an object from a starting point
Velocity is a speed in a given direction (displacement over time)
Acceleration is the change in velocity over time
Vectors may be given in either 2- or 3- dimensions
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Your notes
Examiner Tip
Make sure you fully understand the definitions of all the words in this section so that you can be
clear about what your exam question is asking of you
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Worked example
Your notes
State whether each of the following is a scalar or a vector quantity.
a) A speed boat travels at 3 m/s on a bearing of 052°
b) A garden is 1.7 m wide
c) A car accelerates forwards at 5.4 ms-2
d) A film lasts 2 hours 17 minutes
e) An athlete runs at an average speed of 10.44 ms-1
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Your notes
f) A ball rolls forwards 60 cm before stopping
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Vector Notation
How are vectors represented? Your notes
Vectors are usually represented using an arrow in the direction of movement
The length of the arrow represents its magnitude
They are written as lowercase letters either in bold or underlined
For example a vector from the point O to A will be written a or a
The vector from the point A to O will be written -a or -a
If the start and end point of the vector is known, it is written using these points as capital letters with an
arrow showing the direction of movement
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
For example: AB or BA
Two vectors are equal only if their corresponding components are equal
Numerically, vectors are either represented using column vectors or base vectors
Unless otherwise indicated, you may carry out all working and write your answers in either of these
two types of vector notation
What are column vectors?

Column vectors are where one number is written above the other enclosed in brackets
In 2-dimensions the top number represents movement in the horizontal direction (right/left) and the
bottom number represents movement in the vertical direction (up/down)
A positive value represents movement in the positive direction (right/up) and a negative value
represents movement in the negative direction (left/down)
⎛ 3 ⎞⎟
For example: The column vector ⎜⎜ ⎟ represents 3 units in the positive horizontal (x) direction
⎝ −2 ⎠
(i.e., right) and 2 units in the negative vertical (y) direction (i.e., down)
In 3-dimensions the top number represents the movement in the x direction (length), the middle
number represents movement in the y direction (width) and the bottom number represents the
movement in the z direction (depth)
⎛⎜ 3 ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟
⎜⎜ − 4 ⎟⎟⎟
For example: The column vector ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ represents 3 units in the positive x direction, 4 units in the
⎝ 2⎠
negative y direction and 2 units in the positive z direction

What are base vectors?
Base vectors use i, j and k notation where i, j and k are unit vectors in the positive x, y, and z directions
respectively
This is sometimes also called unit vector notation
A unit vector has a magnitude of 1
In 2-dimensions i represents movement in the horizontal direction (right/left) and j represents the
movement in the vertical direction (up/down)
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For example: The vector (-4i + 3j) would mean 4 units in the negative horizontal (x) direction (i.e.,
left) and 3 units in the positive vertical (y) direction (i.e., up)
In 3-dimensions i represents movement in the x direction (length), j represents movement in the y Your notes
direction (width) and k represents the movement in the z direction (depth)
For example: The vector (-4i + 3j - k) would mean 4 units in the negative x direction, 3 units in the
positive y direction and 1 unit in the negative z direction
As they are vectors, i, j and k are displayed in bold in textbooks and online but in handwriting they
would be underlined (i, j and k)
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Your notes
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Examiner Tip Your notes

Practice working with all types of vector notation so that you are prepared for whatever comes up
in the exam
Your working and answer in the exam can be in any form unless told otherwise
It is generally best to write your final answer in the same form as given in the question, however
you will not lose marks for not doing this unless it is specified in the question
Vectors appear in bold (non-italic) font in textbooks and on exam papers, etc (i.e. F, α ) but in
handwriting should be underlined (i.e. F , α )
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Worked example
Your notes
a) ⎛⎜ −4 ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎟
Write the vector ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ using base vector notation.
⎝ 5 ⎠
k j
b)Write the vector − 2 using column vector notation.
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Parallel Vectors
How do you know if two vectors are parallel? Your notes
Two vectors are parallel if one is a scalar multiple of the other
This means that all components of the vector have been multiplied by a common constant (scalar)
Multiplying every component in a vector by a scalar will change the magnitude of the vector but not
the direction
⎛ 1 ⎟⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎟⎞ ⎜⎛ 2 ⎟⎞
a
For example: the vectors = ⎜⎜⎜
⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎟
b a
⎟⎟ and = 2 = 2 ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟= ⎜ ⎟ will have the same
⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎟⎟ ⎜⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎟⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎝ 6 ⎠
direction but the vector b will have twice the magnitude of a
They are parallel
If a vector can be factorised by a scalar then it is parallel to any scalar multiple of the factorised vector
For example: The vector 9i + 6j – 3k can be factorised by the scalar 3 to 3(3i + 2j – k) so the vector 9i
+ 6j – 3k is parallel to any scalar multiple of 3i + 2j – k
If a vector is multiplied by a negative scalar its direction will be reversed
It will still be parallel to the original vector
Two vectors are parallel if they have the same or reverse direction and equal if they have the same size
and direction
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Your notes
Page 12 of 40
Your notes
Examiner Tip
It is easiest to spot that two vectors are parallel when they are in column vector notation
in your exam by writing vectors in column vector form and looking for a scalar multiple you will
be able to quickly determine whether they are parallel or not
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Worked example
Your notes
⎛⎜ 2 ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟
⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎟⎟
Show that the vectors a = ⎜ ⎜
⎝ − 4
⎟⎟ and
⎠
b = 6 k – 3 i are parallel and find the scalar multiple that
maps a onto b.
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3.9.2 Position & Displacement Vectors

Your notes
Adding & Subtracting Vectors
How are vectors added and subtracted numerically?
To add or subtract vectors numerically simply add or subtract each of the corresponding components
In column vector notation just add the top, middle and bottom parts together
⎛ 2 ⎞⎟ ⎛⎜ 1 ⎞⎟ ⎛⎜ 1 ⎞⎟
For example: ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟−⎜ ⎟= ⎜ ⎟
⎜⎜ 1 ⎟⎟⎟ ⎜⎜⎜ 4 ⎟⎟⎟ ⎜⎜⎜ −3 ⎟⎟⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ − 5 ⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎝ − 8 ⎠
In base vector notation add each of the i, j, and k components together separately
For example: (2i + j – 5k) – (i + 4j + 3k) = (i – 3j – 8k)
How are vectors added and subtracted geometrically?
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Vectors can be added geometrically by joining the end of one vector to the start of the next one
The resultant vector will be the shortest route from the start of the first vector to the end of the second
A resultant vector is a vector that results from adding or subtracting two or more vectors Your notes
If the two vectors have the same starting position, the second vector can be translated to the end of
the first vector to find the resultant vector
This results in a parallelogram with the resultant vector as the diagonal
To subtract vectors, consider this as adding on the negative vector
For example: a – b = a + (-b)
The end of the resultant vector a – b will not be anywhere near the end of the vector b
Instead, it will be at the point where the end of the vector -b would be
Examiner Tip
Working in column vectors tends to be easiest when adding and subtracting
in your exam, it can help to convert any vectors into column vectors before carrying out
calculations with them
If there is no diagram, drawing one can be helpful to help you visualise the problem
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Worked example
Your notes
⎛ −3 ⎞⎟
Find the resultant of the vectors a = 5i – 2j and b = ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟.
⎜⎜ 1 ⎟⎟⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
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Position Vectors
What is a position vector? Your notes
A position vector describes the position of a point in relation to the origin
⎛ 0 ⎞⎟
It describes the direction and the distance from the point O: 0i + 0j + 0k or ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟
⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎟⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 0 ⎠
It is different to a displacement vector which describes the direction and distance between any
two points
⎯⎯⎯⎯
The position vector of point A is written with the notation a = OA
The origin is always denoted O
The individual components of a position vector are the coordinates of its end point
For example the point with coordinates (3, -2, -1) has position vector 3i – 2j – k
Worked example
Determine the position vector of the point with coordinates (4, -1, 8).
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Displacement Vectors
What is a displacement vector? Your notes
A displacement vector describes the shortest route between any two points
It describes the direction and the distance between any two points
It is different to a position vector which describes the direction and distance from the point O: 0i +
⎛0⎞
0j or ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝0⎠
⎯⎯⎯⎯
The displacement vector of point B from the point A is written with the notation AB
A displacement vector between two points can be written in terms of the displacement vectors of a
third point
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯
AB = AC + CB
A displacement vector can be written in terms of its position vectors
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
For example the displacement vector AB can be written in terms of OA and OB
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
AB = AO + OB = − OA + OB = OB − OA
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
For position vector a = OA and b = OB the displacement vector AB can be written b – a
Examiner Tip
In an exam, sketching a quick diagram can help to make working out a displacement vector easier
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Worked example
Your notes
The point A has coordinates (3, 0, -1) and the point B has coordinates (-2, -5, 7). Find the displacement
⎯⎯⎯⎯
vector AB .
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3.9.3 Magnitude of a Vector

Your notes
Magnitude of a Vector
How do you find the magnitude of a vector?
The magnitude of a vector tells us its size or length
For a displacement vector it tells us the distance between the two points
For a position vector it tells us the distance of the point from the origin
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ 
The magnitude of the vector AB is denoted AB 
The magnitude of the vector a is denoted |a|
The magnitude of a vector can be found using Pythagoras’ Theroem
v
The magnitude of a vector = v + v + v
1
i 2
j k
is found using
3
v
  =
  v 12 + v 22 + v 32
⎛⎜ v ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ 1 ⎟⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
where v = ⎜⎜⎜ v 2 ⎟⎟⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟
⎜⎜ v ⎟⎟⎟
⎝ 3 ⎠
This is given in the formula booklet
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Your notes
How do I find the distance between two points?

Vectors can be used to find the distance (or displacement) between two points
It is the magnitude of the vector between them
Given the position vectors of two points:
Find the displacement vector between them
Find the magnitude of the displacement vector between them
Examiner Tip
Finding the magnitude of a vector is the same as finding the distance between two coordinates, it
is a useful formula to commit to memory in order to save time in the exam, however it is in your
formula booklet if you need it
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Worked example
Your notes
Find the magnitude of the vector AB = 4i – j + 2k.
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Unit Vectors
What is a unit vector? Your notes
A unit vector has a magnitude of 1
It can be found by dividing a vector by its magnitude
This will result in a vector with a size of 1 unit in the direction of the original vector
a
A unit vector in the direction of a is denoted  
 a
(3 i − 4 j) 3 4
For example a unit vector in the direction 3i – 4j is =
5
i − j
5
32 + 42
Examiner Tip
Finding the unit vector will not be a question on its own but will be a useful skill for further vectors
problems so it is important to be confident with it
Worked example
Find the unit vector in the direction 2i – 2j + k.
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3.9.4 The Scalar Product

Your notes
The Scalar ('Dot') Product
What is the scalar product?
The scalar product (also known as the dot product) is one form in which two vectors can be combined
together
The scalar product between two vectors a and b is denoted · a b
The result of taking the scalar product of two vectors is a real number
i.e. a scalar
The scalar product of two vectors gives information about the angle between the two vectors
If the scalar product is positive then the angle between the two vectors is acute (less than 90°)
If the scalar product is negative then the angle between the two vectors is obtuse (between 90°
and 180°)
If the scalar product is zero then the angle between the two vectors is 90° (the two vectors are
perpendicular)
How is the scalar product calculated?
There are two methods for calculating the scalar product
The most common method used to find the scalar product between the two vectors v and w is to find
the sum of the product of each component in the two vectors
v w· =v w +v w +v w
1 1 2 2 3 3
⎛⎜ v 1 ⎞⎟ ⎛⎜ w 1 ⎞⎟
v
Where = ⎜⎜⎜
⎜
⎜⎜ v ⎟⎟⎟
⎟⎟
⎟wand =
⎜⎜
⎜⎜
⎜⎜ w ⎟⎟⎟
⎟⎟
⎟
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎜ v ⎟⎟ ⎜ w ⎟⎟
⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠
The scalar product is also equal to the product of the magnitudes of the two vectors and the cosine of
the angle between them
v w
· = v  w  cos θ
Where θ is the angle between v and w
The two vectors v and w are joined at the start and pointing away from each other
The scalar product can be used in the second formula to find the angle between the two vectors
What properties of the scalar product do I need to know?
The order of the vectors doesn’t change the result of the scalar product (it is commutative)
v w w v
· = ·
The distributive law over addition can be used to ‘expand brackets’
u v w u v u w
⋅ ( + )= · + ·
The scalar product is associative with respect to multiplication by a scalar
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v w v w)
(k ) ⋅ ( ) = k ( ⋅
The scalar product between a vector and itself is equal to the square of its magnitude
Your notes
v · v =  v 2
If two vectors, v and w, are parallel then the magnitude of the scalar product is equal to the product of
the magnitudes of the vectors
v w w v
| · | = | || |
This is because cos 0° = 1 and cos 180° = -1
If two vectors are perpendicular the scalar product is zero
This is because cos 90° = 0
Examiner Tip
Whilst the formulae for the scalar product are given in the formula booklet, the properties of the
scalar product are not, however they are important and it is likely that you will need to recall them in
your exam so be sure to commit them to memory
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Worked example
Your notes
⎛ 2 ⎞⎟
Calculate the scalar product between the two vectors = ⎜⎜⎜ v
⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎟⎟
⎟ and w = 3 j − 2 k − i using:
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ − 5 ⎠
i) the formula v · w = v 1w 1 + v 2w 2 + v 3w 3 ,
ii) the formula v · w = v  w cos θ , given that the angle between the two vectors is 66.6°.
Page 27 of 40
Angle Between Two Vectors

How do I find the angle between two vectors? Your notes
If two vectors with different directions are placed at the same starting position, they will form an angle
between them
The two formulae for the scalar product can be used together to find this angle
v 1w 1 + v 2w 2 + v 3w 3
cos θ =  v  | w |
 
To find the angle between two vectors:
Calculate the scalar product between them
Calculate the magnitude of each vector
Use the formula to find cos θ
Use inverse trig to find θ
Examiner Tip
The formula for this is given in the formula booklet so you do not need to remember it but make
sure that you can find it quickly and easily in your exam
Page 28 of 40
Worked example
Your notes
v ⎛ −1 ⎞⎟
Calculate the angle formed by the two vectors = ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟ and
⎜⎜ 3 ⎟⎟⎟
w = 3i + 4j − k.
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
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Perpendicular Vectors
How do I know if two vectors are perpendicular? Your notes
If the scalar product of two (non-zero) vectors is zero then they are perpendicular
v w
If · = 0 then v and w must be perpendicular to each other
Two vectors are perpendicular if their scalar product is zero
The value of cos θ = 0 therefore |v||w|cos θ = 0
Worked example
v ⎛ 2 ⎞⎟
Find the value of t such that the two vectors = ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟ and
⎜⎜ t ⎟⎟⎟
w = (t − 1) i − j + k are
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 5 ⎠
perpendicular to each other.
Page 30 of 40
3.9.5 The Vector Product

Your notes
The Vector ('Cross') Product
What is the vector (cross) product?
The vector product (also known as the cross product) is a form in which two vectors can be combined
together
The vector product between two vectors v and w is denoted v × w
The result of taking the vector product of two vectors is a vector
The vector product is a vector in a plane that is perpendicular to the two vectors from which it was
calculated
This could be in either direction, depending on the angle between the two vectors
The right-hand rule helps you see which direction the vector product goes in
By pointing your index finger and your middle finger in the direction of the two vectors your
thumb will automatically go in the direction of the vector product
How do I find the vector (cross) product?

There are two methods for calculating the vector product
The vector product of the two vectors v and w can be written in component form as follows:
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⎛⎜
⎜⎜ v 2w 3 − v 3w 2 ⎞⎟⎟
v 3w 1 − v 1w 3 ⎟⎟⎟⎟⎟
⎟
v ×w
⎜⎜
= ⎜⎜⎜ Your notes
v 1w 2 − v 2w 1 ⎟⎟⎟⎠
⎜⎜ ⎟
⎜⎜
⎝
⎛⎜ v 1 ⎞⎟ ⎛⎜ w 1 ⎞⎟
v
Where = ⎜⎜⎜
⎜
⎜⎜ v ⎟⎟
⎟⎟
⎟⎟ and = w
⎜⎜
⎜⎜
⎜⎜ w ⎟⎟⎟
⎟⎟
⎟
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎜ v ⎟⎟ ⎜ w ⎟⎟
⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠
The vector product can also be found in terms of its magnitude and direction
The magnitude of the vector product is equal to the product of the magnitudes of the two vectors
and the sine of the angle between them
v w
| × | = v  w sinθ
Where θ is the angle between v and w
The two vectors v and w are joined at the start and pointing away from each other
The direction of the vector product is perpendicular to both v and w
What properties of the vector product do I need to know?

The order of the vectors is important and changes the result of the vector product
v w w v
× ≠ ×
However
v w w v
× = − ×
The distributive law can be used to ‘expand brackets’
u v w u v u w
×( + )= × + ×
Where u, v and w are all vectors
Multiplying a scalar by a vector gives the result:
v w v
(k ) × = × (k ) = k ( × ) w v w
The vector product between a vector and itself is equal to zero
v v× =0
If two vectors are parallel then the vector product is zero
This is because sin 0° = sin 180° = 0
v w
If × = 0 then v and w are parallel if they are non-zero
If two vectors, v and w, are perpendicular then the magnitude of the vector product is equal to the
product of the magnitudes of the vectors
v w
| × | = | || | w v
This is because sin 90° = 1
Page 32 of 40
Examiner Tip
Your notes
The formulae for the vector product are given in the formula booklet, make sure you use them as
this is an easy formula to get wrong
The properties of the vector product are not given in the formula booklet, however they are
important and it is likely that you will need to recall them in your exam so be sure to commit them to
memory
Page 33 of 40
Worked example
Your notes
⎛ 2 ⎞⎟
Calculate the magnitude of the vector product between the two vectors = ⎜⎜⎜
⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎟⎟
v
⎟ and
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ − 5 ⎠
w = 3i − 2j − k using
i) ⎛⎜
⎜⎜
v 2w 3 − v 3w 2 ⎞⎟⎟
v 3w 1 − v 1w 3 ⎟⎟⎟⎟⎟ ,
⎟
v w
⎜⎜
the formula × = ⎜⎜⎜
v 1w 2 − v 2w 1 ⎟⎟⎠
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎜⎜
⎝
ii) the formula , given that the angle between them is 1 radian.
Page 34 of 40
Your notes
Page 35 of 40
Areas using Vector Product

How do I use the vector product to find the area of a parallelogram? Your notes
The area of the parallelogram with two adjacent sides formed by the vectors v and w is equal to the
magnitude of the vector product of two vectors v and w
v w
A =  ×  where v and w form two adjacent sides of the parallelogram
How do I use the vector product to find the area of a triangle?

The area of the triangle with two sides formed by the vectors v and w is equal to half of the magnitude
of the vector product of two vectors v and w
1
A= 
2
v × w  where v and w form two sides of the triangle
This is not given in the formula booklet
Examiner Tip
The formula for the area of the parallelogram is given in the formula booklet but the formula for the
area of a triangle is not
Remember that the area of a triangle is half the area of a parallelogram
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Worked example
Your notes
Find the area of the triangle enclosed by the coordinates (1, 0, 5), (3, -1, 2) and (2, 0, -1).
Page 37 of 40
3.9.6 Geometric Proof with Vectors

Your notes
Geometric Proof with Vectors
How can vectors be used to prove geometrical properties?
If two vectors can be shown to be parallel then this can be used to prove parallel lines
If two vectors are scalar multiples of each other then they are parallel
To prove that two vectors are parallel simply show that one is a scalar multiple of the other
If two vectors can be shown to be perpendicular then this can be used to prove perpendicular lines
If the scalar product is zero then the two vectors are perpendicular
If two vectors can be shown to have equal magnitude then this can be used to prove two lines are the
same length
To prove a 2D shape is a parallelogram vectors can be used to
Show that there are two pairs of parallel sides
Show that the opposite sides are of equal length
The vectors opposite each other will be equal
If the angle between two of the vectors is shown to be 90° then the parallelogram is a rectangle
To prove a 2D shape is a rhombus vectors can be used to
Show that there are two pairs of parallel sides
The vectors opposite each other with be equal
Show that all four sides are of equal length
If the angle between two of the vectors is shown to be 90° then the rhombus is a square
How are vectors used to follow paths through a diagram?
⎯⎯⎯⎯
In a geometric diagram the vector AB forms a path from the point A to the point B
This is specific to the path AB
⎯⎯⎯⎯
If the vector AB is labelled a then any other vector with the same magnitude and direction as a
could also be labelled a
⎯⎯⎯⎯
The vector BA would be labelled -a
It is parallel to a but pointing in the opposite direction
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
If the point M is exactly halfway between A and B it is called the midpoint of A and the vector AM
1
could be labelled
2
a
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
If there is a point X on the line AB such that AX = 2XB then X is two-thirds of the way along the line
⎯⎯⎯⎯
AB
Other ratios can be found in similar ways
A diagram often helps to visualise this
If a point X divides a line segment AB into the ratio p : q then
Page 38 of 40
⎯⎯⎯⎯ p ⎯⎯⎯⎯
AX = AB
p+q Your notes
⎯⎯⎯⎯ q ⎯⎯⎯⎯
XB = AB
p+q
How can vectors be used to find the midpoint of two vectors?
If the point A has position vector a and the point B has position vector b then the position vector of the
1
( a + b)
⎯⎯⎯⎯
midpoint of AB is
2
The displacement vector AB = b − a
⎯⎯⎯⎯
1 ⎯⎯⎯⎯ 1
(AB) = ( b − a )
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Let M be the midpoint of AB then AM =
2 2
1 1 1 1
The position vector OM = OA + AM = a + ( b − a ) = b + a = ( a + b)
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
2 2 2 2
How can vectors be used to prove that three points are collinear?
Three points are collinear if they all lie on the same line
The vectors between the three points will be scalar multiples of each other
⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯
The points A, B and C are collinear if AB = k BC
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯
If the points A, B and M are collinear and AM = MB then M is the midpoint of AB
Examiner Tip
Think of vectors like a journey from one place to another
You may have to take a detour e.g. A to B might be A to O then O to B
Diagrams can help, if there isn’t one, draw one
If a diagram has been given begin by labelling all known quantities and vectors
Page 39 of 40
Worked example
Your notes
Use vectors to prove that the points A, B, C and D with position vectors a = (3i – 5j – 4k), b = (8i - 7j - 5k),
c = (3i - 2j + 4k) and d = (5k – 2i) are the vertices of a parallelogram.
Page 40 of 40

3.9 Vector Properties

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DP IB Maths: AA HL Your notes

3.9 Vector Properties

3.9.1 Introduction to Vectors

b) A garden is 1.7 m wide

c) A car accelerates forwards at 5.4 ms-2

d) A film lasts 2 hours 17 minutes

e) An athlete runs at an average speed of 10.44 ms-1

f) A ball rolls forwards 60 cm before stopping

What are column vectors?

negative y direction and 2 units in the positive z direction

Examiner Tip Your notes

3.9.2 Position & Displacement Vectors

How are vectors added and subtracted geometrically?

3.9.3 Magnitude of a Vector

How do I find the distance between two points?

3.9.4 The Scalar Product

Angle Between Two Vectors

3.9.5 The Vector Product

How do I find the vector (cross) product?

What properties of the vector product do I need to know?

Areas using Vector Product

How do I use the vector product to find the area of a triangle?

3.9.6 Geometric Proof with Vectors

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