Vectors Part II

Subtraction
After sum and decomposition, lets introduce the subtraction of two
vectors. Before that, we should understand, given a vector V, what does
V (minus V) mean
Lets write down V with its x and y components V = Vx + Vy and lets
imagine that the vector is V = 3i + 5j
Now, doing V means changing the sign of the x
and y components, in this case -V = -3i 5j
But if we draw it, we notice that we are just
changing the verse of the vector without altering
the length (i.e. instead of pointing up-right now it
points down-left)
Thus V1 V2, where V1 = 3i+5j & V2=1i+2j is
V1-V2 = (3-1)i+(5-2)j
Graphically, it is exactly the same as sum, but this
time the second vector is V2 (to understand, it is
like the green vector in the picture)

Multiplication
There are three kinds of multiplications for vectors
1) A vector multiplied by a number
2) A vector multiplied by another vector giving as a result a pure number (scalar
multiplication)
3) A vector multiplied by another vector giving a vector as a result (we will forget about
this now btw it is called vectorial multiplication)

Heres how it works

1) V = 2i+3j & number = 5. You just have to multiply every component of the vector by the
number (Ill call it a from now on) V*a = (2i+3j) * 5 = (2*5)i + (3*5)j = 10i+15j. If you
draw the resulting vector, you will notice that the result of the operation is just a
stretching of the length of the vector without changing the direction (the verse
changes if the number is negative). Please note that V is equal to V * (-1)
2) V1 = 2i+3j & V2 = 5i+2j. The result of the scalar multiplication is given by the following
operation: result = 2*5 + 3*2 = 10+6 = 16. Basically you multiply the values of
components i and j of the two vectors and then you sum the two results. Please note
that the result is a number, not a vector

3D vectors Introduction
Please note that until now I just gave you 2D vectors (to make
things easier). 2D vectors are still ok if you are studying a 2D
phenomenon (for example the velocity of a car, it is unlikely
that it will go towards the sky )
Anyway, you may find also 3D vectors (in this case the vertical
component is usually called k). Everything I told you about the
properties is still fully applicable. You have just to represent
the arrows in a 3D plane in case you are asked to do it
graphically

Exercises
Make the following operations (on 2D vectors and represent them
graphically be careful of signs). If you want you can calculate for every
result the length of the vector and the angle with the x axis
1) V1 + V2
2) -V1
3) -V2
4) V1 - V2
5) V2 V1
6) V1*5
7) V1 * V2 (scalar multiplication)
On the following couples of vectors
1) V1 = i + 5j & V2 2i + 1j
2) V1 = 6j (if theres no i it means 0*i) & V2 = 3i
3) V1 = 4i+4j & V2 = -4i-4j
4) (try with this couple of 3D vectors (not graphically) V1 = i+2j+k & V2 = -2j-4k