Chapter 1

Introduction to vectors and vector functions

Section 1.1 Introduction

 A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
 A vector is often represented by an arrow or a directed line segment.
 The length of the arrow represents the magnitude of the vector.
 The arrow points in the direction of the vector.

Ex :

P (3,2)

Definition (1)
 A two dimensional vector is an ordered pair 𝑎
⃗⃗⃗ = < 𝑎₁, 𝑎₂ > of real numbers. The
numbers 𝑎₁, 𝑎₂ are called components of 𝑎.
 Given the points 𝐴 (𝑥₁, 𝑦₁) and 𝐵 (𝑥₂, 𝑦₂), the vector 𝑎 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is,
⃗⃗⃗ with representation 𝐴𝐵
⃗⃗⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑎 𝐴𝐵 = < 𝑥₂ − 𝑥₁ , 𝑦₂ − 𝑦₁ >

B (x2 , y2)

A (x1 , y1)

Ex : Find the vector represented by the directed line segment with initial point 𝐴 (2, −3) ,
terminal point 𝐵 (−2, 1).

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⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = < −2 − 2, 1 − (−3) > = < −4, 4 >
Definition (2)
 The magnitude or the length of the vector 𝑎
⃗⃗⃗ = < 𝑎₁, 𝑎₂ > is,

|𝑎| = √𝑎₁² + 𝑎₂²

 The length of vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝐴𝐵 from 𝐴 (𝑥₁, 𝑦₁) to 𝐵 (𝑥₂, 𝑦₂),

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ | = √(𝑥₂ − 𝑥₁)² + (𝑦₂ − 𝑦₁)²

|𝐴𝐵

Note

The only vector with length 0 is the zero vector ⃗0 = < 0,0 >

Definition (3)
Vector addition

⃗⃗⃗ = < 𝑎₁, 𝑎₂ > , ⃗⃗⃗

If 𝑎 𝑏 = < 𝑏₁, 𝑏₂ > then

⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗
𝑎 𝑏 = < 𝑎₁ + 𝑏₁ , 𝑎₂ + 𝑏₂ >

( a1 + b1 , a2 + b2 )

⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗
𝒂 𝒃 b2
⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗ + 𝒃
𝒂 ⃗⃗⃗
𝒃
⃗⃗⃗
𝒃

⃗⃗⃗
𝒂 a2
⃗⃗⃗
𝒂

a1 b1

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Definition (4)
Multiplication of a vector by a scalar.
If c is a scalar & 𝑎
⃗⃗⃗ = < 𝑎₁, 𝑎₂ > ,
𝑐𝑎
⃗⃗⃗ = < 𝑐𝑎₁, 𝑐𝑎₂ >
⃗⃗⃗
𝒄𝒂
⃗⃗⃗
𝒂
ca2
a2

a1 ca1

Example 1:

 If 𝑎 ⃗⃗⃗ = < −2, 1 > , Find |𝑎|, 𝑎

⃗⃗⃗ = < 4, 3 > & 𝑏 ⃗⃗⃗ , 𝑎
⃗⃗⃗ + 𝑏 ⃗⃗⃗ , 3𝑏
⃗⃗⃗ − 𝑏 ⃗⃗⃗ , 2𝑎 ⃗⃗⃗ .
⃗⃗⃗ + 5𝑏

|𝑎| = √4² + 3² = 5

⃗⃗⃗ + ⃗⃗⃗
𝑎 𝑏 = < 2, 4 >

⃗⃗⃗ − ⃗⃗⃗
𝑎 𝑏 = < 6, 2 >

⃗⃗⃗ = < −6, 3 >

3𝑏

2𝑎 ⃗⃗⃗ = < 8, 6 > + < −10, 5 > = < −2, 11 >

⃗⃗⃗ + 5𝑏

Example 2:
Let 𝑖 = < 1, 0 > , 𝑗 = < 0,1 >
⃗⃗⃗ = < 𝑎₁, 𝑎₂ > = 𝑎₁ < 1, 0 > + 𝑎₂ < 0,1 >
𝑎 ( 0, 1 )
j
⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑎₁𝑖 + 𝑎₂𝑗
𝑎

 ⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑖 + 2𝑗 and ⃗⃗⃗

If 𝑎 𝑏 = 4𝑖 + 7𝑗 i ( 1, 0 )
⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝑖 + 4𝑗 + 12𝑖 + 21𝑗 = 14𝑖 + 25𝑗
⃗⃗⃗ + 3𝑏
2𝑎

Definition (5)
 A unit vector is a vector whose length is 1.

 If 𝑎 ≠ 0, then the unit vector that has the same direction as 𝑎

⃗⃗⃗ is ,
⃗⃗⃗
𝒂
⃗ =
𝒖
|𝒂|
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Ex : Find the unit vector in the direction of the vector 3𝑖 − 4𝑗
The given vector has length,

| 3𝑖 − 4𝑗 | = √3² + (−4)² = 5
3𝑖 4𝑗
𝑢
⃗ = −
5 5

Section 1.2 : The Dot Product

Definition (1)

The dot product of two nonzero vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏⃗ is the number

𝑎. 𝑏⃗ = |𝑎||𝑏| cos 𝜃
Where 𝜃 is the angle between 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏⃗ ; 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋

𝑏⃗

𝜃 𝑎

Examples:
𝜋
1) if the vectors 𝑎 , 𝑏⃗ have lengths 4,6 and the angle between them is . Find a.b
3
𝜋 1
𝒂. 𝒃 = |𝑎||𝑏| cos 3 = 4. 6. = 12
2

2) A crate is hauled 8m up a ramp under a constant force of 20N applied at an angle of

250 to the ramp. Find the work done.
F
W = F.D = |𝐹||𝐷| cos 25
25 8m = 20.8. cos 250
= 145Nm = 145J
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Definition (2)

Two nonzero vectors 𝑎 , 𝑏⃗ are called perpendicular or orthogonal if 𝑎. 𝑏⃗ = 0

𝜋
𝑎. 𝑏⃗ = |𝑎||𝑏| cos 2 = 0

Definition (3)

𝑎 = 〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 〉 , 𝑏⃗ = 〈𝑏1 , 𝑏2 〉

𝑎. 𝑏⃗ = 𝑎1 𝑏1 + 𝑎2 𝑏2

Examples:
1) 𝑎 = 〈2,4〉 , . 𝑏⃗ = 〈3, −1〉
𝑎. 𝑏⃗ = 6 − 4 = 2

2) A force is given by a vector𝐹 = 3𝑖 + 4𝑗 moves a particle from the point P (2, 1) to Q (4,
6). Find the work done.
D = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝑄 = 〈4,6〉 - 〈2,1〉 = 〈2,5〉
W = F.D = 〈3,4〉 . 〈2,5〉 = 6+20 = 26J

3) Find the angle between the vectors 𝑎 = 〈2,2〉 and 𝑏⃗ = 〈5, −3〉
𝑎. 𝑏⃗ = |𝑎||𝑏| cos 𝜃
𝑎. 𝑏⃗ = 〈2,2〉 . 〈5, −3〉 = 10-6 = 4
|𝑎| = √22 + 22 = √8 |𝑏| = √52 + −(3)2 = √34

4 = √8 . √34 cos 𝜃
4
= cos 𝜃
√8 .√34
4
𝜃 = cos −1 ( )
√8 .√34

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4) Show that 2𝑖 + 3𝑗 is perpendicular to 3𝑖 − 2𝑗
(2𝑖 + 3𝑗) . (3𝑖 − 2𝑗) = 6-6=0
Dot product = 0 Vectors are Perpendicular.

Definition (4)
Given the nonzero vector a = 〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 〉 the orthogonal complement of 𝑎 is the vector
𝑎˔ =〈−𝑎2 , 𝑎1 〉
⃗⃗⃗
𝑎˔ . 𝑎 = 〈−𝑎2 , 𝑎1 〉. 〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 〉 = −a1a2 +a1a2 = 0
Example: Find the orthogonal complement of 𝑎 = 3𝒊 + 𝒋

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