Notes 4.1 VECTOR 4.1.

2 Magnitude and direction of vectors

4.1 .1 Vector and scalar quantities
A quantity that only has a size, known as magnitude,
is called a scalar quantity, such as area, volume,
mass, temperature and pressure.
The symbol || is used to denote the magnitude of a
vector.
For example, |PQ| and |u| denote the magnitude of
vectors PQ and u respectively.

A quantity that has a magnitude and a direction is
called a vector quantity, such as force,
displacement, velocity, acceleration, momentum and
impulse.
EXAMPLE
A vector with magnitude of zero and no direction is
known as zero vector. It is denoted as 0.
A negative sign ( - ) is used to denote a vector in the
opposite direction. For example the negative vector for
a is a.

Determine whether each of the following 4.1.3 Determining whether two vectors are equal
quantities is a scalar or a vector quantity. Two vectors are equal if and only if they have the
a) 40 ms-1 same magnitude and the same direction.
b) 10E towards the east
c) 20 ms-2 towards the west
d) 6m2
a

Answers:
b
a) A scalar quantity ( magnitude only )
b) A vector quantity ( magnitude and direction ) Vector a and b are
c) A vector quantity ( magnitude and direction )
equal.
d) A scalar quantity ( magnitude only )

For negative vectors, PQ = - QP and PQ = QP

 3 1
=- 5 ( 2 PQ )
4.1.4 Determining whether two vectors are parallel

Two vectors, a and b are parallel if and only if a = mb

3
where m is a constant meaning = - 10 PQ
a) If a =mb then vectors a and b are parallel,
Therefore vectors PQ and AB
b) If vectors a and b are parallel, then a =mb.
are parallel.
If P,Q and R are three collinear points, then vectors PQ
and QR are parallel, meaning that PQ =mQR where
m is a constant.

If vectors a and b are not parallel, and ha =kb, then

h=k=0 Given that ( 3 ) p = ( 2 + 7 ) q where and

EXAMPLES are constants, find the values of and if

3 vectors p and q are non- zero and non-parallel.

Given that PQ = 2v and AB =- - 5 v, determine
Steps Solution
whether vectors PQ and AB are parallel.
Write down the (3)p =(2 +7)q
equation
Steps Solution Vectors p and q are 3=0
Write down the value PQ=2v non-zero and non- =3 and
of PQ parallel
Then find the value of 1 2 +7=0
v v= 2 PQ
7
=- 2
Write down the value 3
of AB AB = - 5 v
Given that MN = 4u and NP = 7u, show that points S R
M,N and P are collinear.

Steps Solution P Q
Write down the value of MN = 4u j
5m
MN
Then find the value of u 1
In the diagram above, PQRS is a trapezium . PQ is
u= 4 MN
5
parallel to SR. Given that PQ = 3 SR, PQ = 5m and |
Write down the value of NP = 7u
NP 1 m| = 6, find
=7( 4 MN )
a) Vector PQ + SR in terms of m,
b) |PQ = SR|.
7
= 4 MN
Steps Solution
Write down the value 5
of PQ PQ= 3 SR
Therefore, vectors MN Since N is a common point,
and NP are parallel. points M,N and P are
collinear. Then find the value of 3
SR SR = 5 PQ ( PQ and SR

are parallel)
4.2 ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS

When two or more vectors are combined and 3

= 5 ( 5m )
represented by a single vector, the single vector is
known as the resultant vectors.
= 3m

Find the value of PQ + PQ + SR = 5m + 3m

SR = 8m
Find the value | PQ + |PQ + SR | = |8m|
SR | = 8 |m| O
=8(6) B
= 48 units b

(c) In AOB, express AB AB = - AO + OB

in terms of a and b. =-a+b
A AB = AO + OB
a
M

O B

b
R
S

The diagram shows a triangle OAB. OA = a , OB = b 5b

and M is the midpoint of OA. State in terms of a and/or
Q
b,
P
2a
(a) MA (b) MB (c) AB

Steps Solution In the diagram above, PQRS is a trapezium. PQ is

(a) OM = MA because M is 1 parallel to SR. Given that PQ = 2a, PR = 5b and SR
the midpoint. MA = 2 OA = 2PQ.
OA = a
a) Determine each of the following vectors in terms
1 of a.
= 2 a i) PR QR
ii) SR
(b) In MOB, express MB b) Find the vector which is equal to vector 4a 5b.
in terms of a and b. MB = MO + OB
MB = MO + OB = - OM + OB Steps Solution
M a i) PR QR = PR + ( - QR )
1
= PR + RQ
=- - 2 a+b
-a = PQ
 R = 2a R = - PQ + PR
= - 4a + 6b
P Q
5b
Q
P
b) Find RS 1
2a S is the midpoint of RS = 2 RQ
QR
ii) SR = 2PQ ( PQ and SR are
parallel) 1
RS and RQ are parallel
= 2 ( 2a ) RS = 2 ( - QR )
= 4a
b) 4a 5b = 4a + ( - 5b )
= SR + ( - PR ) 1
= SR + RP = 2 ( 4a 6b)
= SP
= 2a - 3b

R c) In PQS, find PS PS = PQ + QS
S = PQ + SR (QS =
S
T SR)
P Q = PQ + ( - RS )
P
Q = 4a + ( 3b 2a )
= 2a + 3b
In the diagram above, PTR and QSR are straight lines.
Points S and T lie on QR and PR respectively such that d) Given 3PT = PR 3PT = PR
S is the midpoint of QR and 3PT = PR. Given That PT and PR are parallel 1
PQ = 4a and PR = 6b, express each of the following PT = 3 PR
vectors in terms of a and b.

a) QR b) RS c) PS 1
d) QT = 3 (6b)
In PQT, find QT
Steps Solution = 2b
a) In PQR, find QR QR = QP + PR
 QT = QP + PT
(73 )
T

P Q = - PQ + PT =
= - 4a + 2b

4.3 VECTORS IN A CARTESIAN PLANE

a) In the form x i + y j or () x
y
Given that u = (24) and v = (43 ) , find the value

of p such that 2pu - v is parallel to the x-axis.

b) vector units I = (10 ) and j = (01) Steps

Write down the value of
Solution

2pu v 2pu v = 2p (24) -

The vector in a Cartesian plane which proceeds from

point A( x1 , y1 ) to point B( x2 , y2 ) is given by AB (43 )
= ( xy x
2

2y )
1

1 = (48 pp ) -

Given points P ( 5 , 1 ) and Q ( -2 , 4 ), express vector

(43 )
PQ in the form x i + y j and in the form of ( xy ) 8 p+ 3
4
4 p
Steps Solution =

Use the formula PQ = (-2 5 )I + ( 4 1 )j
= -7i + 3j
PQ = ( xy x
2

2 y )
1

1 y= 0 ( parallel to x-axis ) 8p + 4 = 0

PQ = -7i + 3j
 1
P= 1
2 = 4 i -7 j
42 +(7)2
4.3.1 UNIT VECTOR S IN A GIVEN PLANE

The unit vector in the direction of a is denoted as a^ 1 7

i j
= 65 65
If a = x i + y j , then the unit vector in the
direction of a is given by
1
1

v^
v = ( )
2
x + y 4
2 2
a= 2 2 b) =
a^ x +y x i + y j v
=
a

1
EXAMPLE = (2)2 +( 4)2 (4
2
)
a) Determine the unit vector in the direction of u if
1 2
u=4 i -7 j . = ( )
20 4
b) Given that v = (4
2
) , find v^
2

a) u^ =

1
u= 2 2
x + y x i + y j
=
()
20
4
20
u
EXERCISES

SPM 2003
PAPER 1 SPM 2004

Diagram 3 shows a parallelogram ABCD with BED as a PAPER 1

straight line. Given that AB = 6p, AD = 4q and DE =
2EB, express, in terms of p and q 16. Given that O (0,0), A(-3,4) and B(2,16), find in
terms of the unit vectors, i and j ,
a) BD
a) AB
b) EC
b) the unit vector in the direction of AB
D C

17. Given that A(-2,6), B(4,2) and C(m,p), find the

E value of m and of p such that,AB + 2BC = 10i 12j.
A
B

Diagram 3

PAPER 2

6 Given that AB = (57) , OB = (23 ) and CD =

PAPER 2
k
() 5 , find
8 Diagram 3 shows OAB. The straight AP

intersects the straight line OQ at R. It is given that OP

a) the coordinates of A,
1 1
= 3 OB, AQ = 4 AB, OP = 6x and OA = 2y.
b) the unit vector in the direction of OA,

c) the value of k, if CD is parallel to AB

 A

Q a) Express OA in the form ( xy ) .

R
b) Find the unit vector in the direction of OA.
O P B
16. Diagram 5 shows a parallelogram, OPQR drawn on
Diagram 3
a Cartesian plane.

a) Express in terms of x and / or y : y Q

6

i) AP
ii) OQ 4 P

b) I) given that AR = hAP, state AR in terms of R

2

h,x and y
ii) given that RQ = kOQ, state RQ in terms of -5 O
Diagram 5
5 x 10

k,x and y.
c) Using AR and RQ from b), find the value of h It is given that OP = 6i + 4j and PQ = -4i +5j.
and of k.
Find PR.

SPM 2005 PAPER 2

PAPER 1 6 In diagram 3, ABCD is a quadrilateral. AED and EFC

are straight lines.
15 Diagram 4 shows vector OA drawn on a Cartesian
plane. D

E F C
2

5 10 x 15 A B

Diagram 3
It is given that AB = 20x, AE = 8y, DC = 25x 24y, AE
1 a) OA in the form of ( xy ) ,
= 4 AD and
b) AB in the form xi + yj

3
EF = 5 EC. 14 The points P,Q and R are collinear. It is given that
PQ = 4a 2b and QR = 3a + (1 + k)b, where k is a
a) Express in terms of x and/ or y : constant. Find
i) BD ,
ii) EC. a) The value of k
b) Show that the points B, F and D are collinear. b) the ratio of PQ :QR

c) If |x| = 2 and | y| = 3, find |BD| PAPER 2

SPM 2006 5 Diagram 1 shows a trapezium ABCD.

PAPER 1 B
C
F
13 Diagram 6, shows 2 vectors, OA and AB.

y A E
D

A Diagram 1
(4,3)

O
2
It is given that AB = 2y, AD = 6x, AE = 3 AD and
x

B
-5
5
BC = 6 AD.
Diagram 6

a) Express AC, in terms of x and y.

Express
b) Point F lies inside the trapezium ABCD such that
2EF = mAB, and m is a constant. a= (28) and b = (14)
i) Express AF, interms of m, x and y.
ii) Hence, if the points A,F and C are collinear,
Find a) the vector 2a b
find the value of m.
b) the unit vector in the direction of 2a b

PAPER 2

8 Diagram 3 shows AOB . The point P lies on OA

SPM 2007
and the point Q lies on AB. The straight line BP
PAPER 1
intersects the straight line OQ at point S.
15 Diagram 3 shows a rectangle OABC and the
B
point D lies on the straight line OB.

C
B
Q
D
5y
S

P
A O A
O
9x Diagram 3
Diagram3

It is given that
It is given that OD = 3DB. Express OD, in terms of x
and y. OA : OP = 4 : 1, AB : AQ = 2 : 1, OA = 8x, OB =
6y.

a) Express in terms of x and/or y:

16. The following information refers to the vectors a i) BP
and b. ii) OQ
b) Using OS = hOQ and BS = kBP, where h and k
are constants, find the value of h and k.
c) Given that |x| = 2 units, | y| = 3 units and

AOB = 900. Find | AB|