3 – Vector Algebra and Parallelism

Warm Up
Using the vectors shown in the diagrams, show that the following properties hold algebraically:
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1. Commutative Law: 𝑢 + 𝑣 = 𝑣 + 𝑢
The order in which we add the vectors does not matter. If the vectors are added in the opposite order,
the result is the same.
Geometrically:

Algebraically:

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2. Associative Law:
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(𝑎 →+ 𝑏) + 𝑐 = 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐) → → →
If we add 𝑎 + 𝑏 first, and then 𝑐, we get the same result as adding 𝑏 + 𝑐 first, and then 𝑎 .
Geometrically:

Algebraically:
Vector Algebra
Properties of Scalar Multiplication Properties of Zero Vector
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1. Associative Law: (𝑚𝑛)𝑎 = 𝑚(𝑛𝑎) 1. 𝑎+0=𝑎
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2. Distributive Laws: ( )
𝑚 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑚𝑎 + 𝑚𝑏 2. ( )
𝑎+ −𝑎 =0
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(𝑚 + 𝑛)𝑎 = 𝑚𝑎 + 𝑛𝑎

We have defined vector addition and subtraction as well as multiplication of a vector by a scalar. We
leave “vector scalar division” undefined as it is unnecessary to define it.
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If 3𝑥 = 𝑎, then 𝑥 = not 𝑥 = .

We must take care to communicate according to the conventions that govern the algebraic system we
are using. That means:
● Vectors are bold (or have an arrow above), scalars are italics (or just numbers)
● We don’t divide vectors by scalars
● The sum of two vectors must be a vector, not a scalar. This means that we must use the zero
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vector (0 not 0) if we add a vector and its opposite.

Example 1:
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a) Solve for 𝑥.
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𝑟 − 7𝑥 = 𝑡

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b) If 𝑏 = [2 − 4 ] and 𝑐 = [3 2 ], find 𝑥 if 2𝑏 − 𝑥 = 𝑐 .
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c) If 𝑎 = [− 1 2 3 ] and 𝑏 = [2 − 2 1 ] , find 𝑥 if 2𝑏 − 2𝑥 =− 𝑎.

Parallel Vectors
Recall:
Two vectors are equal if and only if their size and their direction are the same.
Two vectors are opposite if they have the same magnitude but point in the opposite direction.

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When two vectors are opposite, such as 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐶𝐷, one is the negative of the other, and we write:
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𝐴𝐵 =− 𝐶𝐷

But in both of the above cases, the vectors are parallel.

Two vectors are parallel if and only if their directions are either the same or opposite and one is a
scalar multiple of the other. So, to be parallel, vectors need not have the same length.

Note:
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● If 𝑎 ‖ 𝑏, then there exists a scalar 𝑘 such that 𝑎 = 𝑘𝑏
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● If 𝑎 = 𝑘𝑏 for some scalar 𝑘, then 𝑎 ‖ 𝑏
This is an “if and only if” relationship.
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Example 2: Determine whether 𝐷𝐶 and 𝑂𝐹 are parallel.

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Example 3: If 𝑎 = [10 5 ] and 𝑏 = [2 1 ] ,
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a) show that 𝑎 is parallel to 𝑏 and explain.

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b) find the magnitudes of 𝑎 and of 𝑏. Use this example to make a generalization.
Note:
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● 𝑘𝑎 is a vector parallel to 𝑎
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o It has the same direction as 𝑎 if 𝑘 > 0 and opposite direction if 𝑘 < 0
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● |𝑘𝑎| = |𝑘||𝑎|

Example 4: Find 𝑎 and 𝑏 if [3 𝑎 𝑏 ] and [− 12 − 20 2 ] are parallel vectors.