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ADMATHS
SECTION: ALGEBRA
MODULE: VECTOR ALGEBRA

LESSON A14.1: VECTOR ALGEBRA – INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS A VECTOR?

If you travel from 𝐴 to 𝐵 (12 𝑘𝑚) and from there to 𝐶 (18 𝑘𝑚), how far
are you from 𝐴?
𝐶
𝐶
18 𝑘𝑚 18 𝑘𝑚

𝐵 𝑐
𝐵
12 𝑘𝑚
𝐴 12 𝑘𝑚
It seems wrong to claim that 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐶 = 𝐴𝐶. 𝐴

If we use “arrow notation” to indicate the direction of displacement, we may

claim that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶 . The directed line segments ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶
have length and direction and are called vectors to distinguish them from
scalars which only have magnitude (length).
Vector 𝐴𝐶 can be indicated as 𝐴𝐶, 𝐴𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , 𝑨𝑪, 𝒄, 𝑐, 𝒄 or 𝒄 (bold).
We will use 𝐴𝐶 or 𝑐. We use the terminal point of 𝐴𝐶,
although 𝑎 , 𝑣 , 𝑢... may also be used instead of 𝑐.

In vector 𝐴𝐶, 𝐴 is the starting point (initial point) and 𝐶 the end point (terminal
point) of the point that is translated from 𝐴 to 𝐶 in a specific direction over a
certain distance.
Force, velocity and acceleration are phenomena in nature that can be
expressed as a vector. Vectors have magnitude as well as direction.
Temperature, mass, density, area, volume and time are quantities that have
only magnitude and are called scalars.

Should we refer to a journey as 100 𝑘𝑚, we indicate a scalar, but should we

refer to the journey as 100 𝑘𝑚 in a North-easterly direction, the
journey represents a vector.
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Notation

Geometric notation:

Two dimensional vectors (sketched on graph paper), have two components:

y
B(4 ; 5) The 𝑥-component or first component:
5

4 • a translation parallel to the 𝑥-axis,

• positive to the right; negative to the left.
3 4
2
The 𝑦-component or second component:
1

A(1 ; 1) 3
x
• a translation parallel to the 𝑦-axis,
◄
0 1 2 3 4 • positive upwards; negative downwards.
▼

Algebraic notation:

• Vector 𝐴𝐵 = [3; 4] as seen from the sketch.

• A vector can also be notated in terms of its magnitude and direction.
We refer to e.g. a journey as 100 direction 53,13𝑜 North of East.

Example 1

Determine the components of the vector 𝐴𝐵 if 𝐴(1 ; 1) and 𝐵(4 ; 5).

Solution
𝐴(1; 1) is the starting point or initial point.
𝐵(4; 5) is the end point or terminal point.

𝐴𝐵 = [first component; second component]

= [𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ; 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 ]
= [ 4 − 1 ; 5 − 1]

𝐴𝐵 = [3 ; 4]

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Position vectors
Given: 𝐴(4; 2) and 𝐵(−4; 8).
y
9
B(-4 ; 8)
8
7
6
5
u 4
3
A(4 ; 2)
2
1 v x
◄
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
-1
▼

𝑂𝐴 = [4; 2] is called a position vector with initial point (starting point) at the
origin (0 ; 0). 𝑂𝐴 = 𝑣 = [4; 2].

Likewise position vector: 𝑂𝐵 = 𝑢 = [−4; 8].

EXERCISE 1
y
10
9
8 r 6 u
7
3
6
5
3
w 2
4 2
3
4 p
2 2
1
v
 2 4 x
0 1 24 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

1. Use the sketch and ...

1.1 write the vectors 𝑟, 𝑤, 𝑢, 𝑣 and 𝑝 in component form.
1.2 name a position vector.

2. In each of the following the first ordered pair is the coordinates of the
initial point of the directed line segment and the second ordered pair
the coordinates of the terminal point.
Find the vector associated with this line segment.
2.1 𝐴(−3; 5) ; 𝐵 (1; −3)
2.2 𝐾 (−4; −7); 𝑀 (1; 3)
2.3 𝐻(6; −2); 𝐹 (1; −3)
2.4 𝑁(4; −3); 𝑃(−2; 3)

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Magnitude (length) of a vector

The magnitude of 𝑟 is also known as the modulus of the vector and is
written as |𝑟|. The modulus of a vector can be determined by
applying the theorem of Pythagoras.

Example 2
y

5
B(4 ; 5)

Determine the modulus of 𝑟 if 𝑟 = [−3; −4]. 4

3 r 4
2

1
A(1 ; 1) 3
x
◄
0 1 2 3 4
▼

Solution

Length is positive

↓ 2
|𝑟| = √(+3)2 + (+4) = √25 = 5

The modulus of a vector is always written in simplified surd form.

Vector 𝐵𝐴 → modulus |𝐵𝐴| or vector 𝑩𝑨 → modulus 𝐵𝐴 (not bold).

Vector 𝑟 → modulus |𝑟| or vector 𝒓 → modulus 𝑟 (not bold).

To avoid confusion, we use: Vector 𝐵𝐴 with modulus |𝐵𝐴|

Vector 𝑟 with modulus |𝑟|

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The Unit vector

The unit vector of 𝑟 has the same direction as 𝑟, but a modulus (length)
of 𝟏 unit.

To calculate the components of the unit vector of 𝑟 = [−3; −4]

the components of 𝑟 are divided by its length, where |𝑟| = 5.
𝑟 [−3; −4]
The unit vector of 𝑟: =
|𝑟| 5

1 1 3 4
. 𝑟 = [−3; −4] = [− ; − ]
|𝑟| 5 5 5

𝑟
The modulus (size) of :
|𝑟|

3 2 4 2 9 16 25
√( ) + ( ) = √( ) + ( ) = √ = √1 = 1 unit
5 5 25 25 25

Direction of a vector

5
B(4 ; 5)

4
u
3
4
2

1
A 
(1 ; 1) 3
◄  x
0 1 2 3 4
▼

The direction of a vector is given by the angle that the vector makes with the
positive 𝑥-axis or 𝑂𝑋.
4
For 𝑢 = [3; 4] : tan 𝜃 = and direction of 𝑢: 𝜃 = 53,1°
3
For 𝜃 in degrees – set calculator as follows:
Degrees: Shift; Set up option 3 (Deg).

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Example 3

Determine the direction of 𝑃𝑄 = [2; 3]

Solution
3
tan 𝜃 =
2
3
tan−1 (2) = 56,31°

Direction: 𝜃 = 56,31°

Determine the components of a vector when the direction and

modulus are given.

Example 4

Given 𝐴𝐵 with modulus 5 and direction 53,13°.

Determine the components of 𝐴𝐵.
Solution

y
Let 𝐴𝐵 = [𝑥; 𝑦] B
5

𝑥 4
= cos 53,13°
5 3 5 y

𝑥 = 5 cos 53,13° 2

𝑥=3 1
A 53,13°
x
x
𝑦 ◄
0
= sin 53,13°
1 2 3 4

5 ▼

𝑦 = 5 sin 53,13°
𝑦=4

Vector AB = [3; 4]

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Determine the components of a vector where the modulus, the

coordinates of the terminal point and the gradient of the vector are
given.

Example 5

Vector 𝐴𝐵 has terminal point 𝐵(5 ; 9) and a modulus of 10. If the gradient of
3
𝐴𝐵 is equal to , determine the coordinates of the initial point 𝐴.
4
y

𝐵(5; 9)
3
Gradient = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 4
10
|𝐴𝐵| = 10


A(xA ; yA)
x
◄ 0
▼

Solution

𝐴𝐵 = [5 − 𝑥𝐴 ; 9 − 𝑦𝐴 ]
|𝐴𝐵| = 10

√(5 − 𝑥𝐴 )2 + (9 − 𝑦𝐴 )2 = 10
Square both sides: (5 − 𝑥𝐴 )2 + (9 − 𝑦𝐴 )2 = 100 … … … ①

3
Gradient =
4

9 − 𝑦𝐴 3
=
5 − 𝑥𝐴 4
3
9 − 𝑦𝐴 = (5 − 𝑥𝐴 )
4

9
Square both sides: (9 − 𝑦𝐴 )2 = (5 − 𝑥𝐴 )2 … … … ②
16

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9
Substitute ② into ①: (5 − 𝑥𝐴 )2 + (5 − 𝑥𝐴 )2 = 100
16
25
(5 − 𝑥𝐴 )2 = 100
16

(5 − 𝑥𝐴 )2 = 64
5 − 𝑥𝐴 = ±8
𝑥𝐴 = −3 or 𝑥𝐴 = 13
Substitute 𝑥𝐴 = −3 or 𝑥𝐴 = 13 into
3
𝑦𝐴 = 3 or 𝑦𝐴 = 15 in 9 − 𝑦𝐴 = (5 − 𝑥𝐴 ):
4
Initial point: 𝐴(−3; 3) or 𝐴(13; 15)

According to the sketch: 𝐴(−3; 3)

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION:
3
Using the theorem of Pythagoras with gradient 4 and modulus 5:
𝑩 𝑩

5 3 = 5×2 3×2

𝑨 𝑨
4 4×2

A(13 ; 15)
10
6
B(5 ; 9)
8
10
6

A(-3 ; 3) 8
x
◄ 0
▼

NOTE: The vectors in component form:

Position vector 𝑂𝐴 = [−3; 3] Position vector OB = [5 ; 9]
Vector AB = [5 − (−3); 9 − 3] = [8 ; 6]
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EXERCISE 2

1. Determine the modulus and unit vector of each of the following vectors.
Leave answer in surd form where necessary.
1 2
1.1 𝑎 = [ 2 ; 3]

1.2 𝑏 = [−5; 3]
2 3
1.3 𝑐 = [ 5 ; − 4]

2. Determine the direction of the following vector with respect to the

positive 𝑥-axis.
1
𝑑 = [2 ; 4] (in degrees)

3. Write the following vectors in component form.

3.1 25 direction 35, 7∘ North of East.
3.2 60 direction 45° North of East.

4. Vector 𝐴𝐵 has terminal point 𝐵(−3; 5) and the modulus is 15.

1
If the gradient of 𝐴𝐵 is equal to 2, determine the coordinates
of the possible initial points 𝐴.

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PARALLEL, EQUAL, INVERSE AND THE ZERO VECTOR

y
t = [-2 ; 4] 7
6
B AB = [-1 ; 2]
5
4
r = [2 ; - 4] 3
A
2
C
CD = [1 ; -2]
1
D x
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
-1
k = [1 ; -2]
-2
-3
-4

Observe the following in the sketch above:

Parallel vectors
Parallel vectors have the same gradient (the same or opposite direction).
2
The gradients of all the vectors in the sketch are: − 1

∴ 𝑟 ∥ 𝐶𝐷 ∥ 𝑡 ∥ 𝑘 ∥ 𝐴𝐵.

4 2
The components of parallel vectors form a proportion: − 2 = − 1

Equal vectors
Equal vectors have equal lengths and the same direction and therefore they
have the same components. If they are not position vectors, but free
vectors, their initial and terminal points will not necessarily coincide.

𝑘 = 𝐶𝐷 because 𝑘 = [1; −2] and 𝐶𝐷 = [1 ; −2]

OR 𝑘 = 𝐶𝐷 because |𝑘| = |𝐶𝐷| = √5 and they have the same direction.

BUT 𝑟 ≠ 𝑡 because |𝑟| = |𝑡| but their direction differs.

LIKEWISE 𝐴𝐵 ≠ 𝐶𝐷 because |𝐴𝐵| = |𝐶𝐷| but their direction differs.

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Inverse vectors

The vectors 𝑟 = [2; −4] and 𝑡 = [−2; 4] are inverse vectors and

therefore 𝑟 = −𝑡 → [2; −4] = −[−2; 4]

𝑡 = −𝑟 → [−2; 4] = −[2; −4]

Inverse vectors are equal in length, but opposite in direction.

The components of inverse vectors are numerically the same, but
opposite in sign.

The zero vector

y 𝐴𝐵 = [2; −4] and

7
Q
6 𝑃𝑄 = [−2; 4] = −𝐴𝐵 = 𝐵𝐴
5
A
4 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐴 are inverse
P
3 vectors.
2

1 B
x
0 1 2 3

If 𝐴𝐵 = [2 ; −4] then 𝐵𝐴 = [−2 ; 4].

𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴 implies the translation of a point from point 𝐴 to point 𝐵 and

back to point 𝐴. This is a zero translation.

Therefore 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴 = 0 or 𝐴𝐵 + (−𝐴𝐵) = 0.

The sum of a vector and its inverse is the zero vector.

If 𝐴𝐵 and 𝑃𝑄 are two parallel vectors with the same magnitude, but
opposite directions, their sum will be a vector with magnitude equal to
zero. This vector is called the zero vector and is indicated as 0.

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In the sketch 𝐴𝐵 = [2; −4] and 𝑃𝑄 = [−2; 4]

When we get to the addition of vectors later on, you will see that

AB + PQ = [2 ; −4] + [−2 ; 4]
= [2 − 2; −4 + 4] Likewise 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴
= [0; 0] = 𝐴𝐵 + (− 𝐴𝐵)
= 0 = [2; −4] + [−2; 4]
= [2 − 2 ; −4 + 4]
= [ 0 ; 0] = 0

EXERCISE 3

y
6

5
d c
4 b
e 3 v
2

1
a
x
◄
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
▼

1. Use the given diagram and state a set of vectors that are...

1.1 parallel. 1.2 parallel but not equal.

1.3 equal. 1.4 inverse vectors.

2. Given: 𝑣 = 10 direction 25, 3∘ East of North and

𝑤 = 12 direction 64, 7∘ North of East.
Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Motivate your answer:

2.1 𝑣∥𝑤

2.2 |𝑣| = |𝑤|

2.3 𝑣=𝑤

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HOMEWORK

1. Given the points 𝐴(−4; −1), 𝐵(2; 2), 𝐶 (1; −0,5) and 𝐷(3 ; 0,5).

Write vectors 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐶𝐷 in component form.

What can you deduce with regards to the magnitude of the two
vectors?

2. Consider the sketch:

2.1 Write 𝐴𝐵 in terms of its components.

𝑨 4
2.2 Determine the...

2.2.1 unit vector of 𝐴𝐵.

2.2.2 components of the inverse vector of 𝐴𝐵.

B
2.2.3 value of 𝑦 if 𝑅𝑆 = [2; 𝑦] and 𝐴𝐵 ∥ 𝑅𝑆.

2.3 Complete the vector in component form: 𝐴𝐵 + [ ; ] = 0

3. Determine the direction of 𝑐 in degrees if 𝑐 = [1; 4]

4. Determine the direction of 𝑢 in degrees if 𝑢 = [3; 1]

5. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of

the vector 6 direction 35° North of East.

6. Given 𝑣 = 72 direction 25, 3∘ East of North and

𝑤 = 72 direction 34, 7∘ North of East

Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Motivate your answer.

6.1 𝑣∥𝑤 6.2 |𝑣| = |𝑤| 6.3 𝑣 = 𝑤

7. Vector 𝐴𝐵 has terminal point 𝐵 (6 ; −5) and a modulus of 5.

If the gradient of 𝐴𝐵 is equal to 2, determine the coordinates of the

possible initial points 𝐴.

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