A quantity defined by both a magnitude (such as a distance) and a direction is called a vector.
Two vectors are equal if they have the same length and direction; it does not matter where the vector starts.
The length of a vector \(\bf{v}\) is called its magnitude, and is denoted by \(\|{\bf{v}}\|\text{.}\)
The sum of two vectors \(\bf{u}\) and \(\bf{v}\) is a new vector, \(\bf{w}\text{,}\) starting at the tail of the first vector and ending at the head of the second vector. The sum is called the resultant vector.
Addition of vectors is commutative. The rule for adding vectors is sometimes called the parallelogram rule.
Operations on Vectors.
We can multiply a vector, \(\bf{v}\text{,}\) by a scalar, \(k\text{.}\)
If \(k \gt 0\text{,}\) the magnitude of \(k\bf{v}\) is \(k\) times the magnitude of \(\bf{v}\text{.}\) The direction of \(k\bf{v}\) is the same as the direction of \(\bf{v}\text{.}\)
If \(k \lt 0\text{,}\) the direction of \(k\bf{v}\) is opposite the direction of \(\bf{v}\text{.}\)
We can add two vectors \(\bf{v}\) and\(\bf{w}\) with the parallelogram rule.
Any vector can be written as the sum of its horizontal and vertical vector components, \(\bf{v_x}\) and \(\bf{v_y}\text{.}\)
The components of a vector \(\bf{v}\) whose direction is given by the angle \(\theta\) in standard position are the scalar quantities
To add two vectors using components, we can resolve each vector into its horizontal and vertical components, add the corresponding components, then compute the magnitude and direction of the resultant.
A vector of magnitude 1 is called a unit vector. The unit vector in the direction of the \(x\)-axis is denoted by \(\bf{i}\text{.}\) The unit vector in the direction of the \(y\)-axis is called \(\bf{j}\text{.}\)
is the vector whose horizontal component is \(a\) and whose vertical component is \(b\text{.}\)
Comparing the Geometric and Coordinate Forms of a Vector.
Suppose that the vector \({\bf{v}}\) has magnitude \(\|{\bf{v}}\|\) and points in the direction of the angle \(\theta\) in standard position. If \({\bf{v}}\) has the coordinate form \({\bf{v}} = a{\bf{i}} + b{\bf{j}}\text{,}\) then
where \(\theta\) is the angle between the vectors.
The component of a vector \({\bf{w}}\) in the direction of vector \({\bf{v}}\) is the length of the vector projection of \({\bf{w}}\) onto \({\bf{w}}\text{.}\)
Component of a Vector.
The component of \({\bf{w}}\) in the direction of \({\bf{v}}\) is the scalar
Two vectors \({\bf{v}}\) and \({\bf{w}}\) are orthogonal if \({\bf{v}} \cdot {\bf{w}} = 0\)
ExercisesReview Problems
Exercise Group.
For Problems 1–4, sketch an arrow to represent the vector. Find its components in the directions north and east.
1.
A hawk is flying at a speed of 20 mph in the direction \(65\degree\) west of north.
2.
The island is located 36 miles from port on a bearing of \(160\degree\text{.}\)
3.
The tractor pulls with a force of 1200 pounds in the direction \(20\degree\) west of south.
4.
The current runs southeast at a speed of 4 mph.
Exercise Group.
For Problems 5–6, find the magnitude and direction of the vector.
5.
\(A_x = -6,~ A_y = -9\)
6.
\(w_x = 15.2,~ w_y = -8.6\)
Exercise Group.
For Problems 7–8, find the coordinate form of the vector.
7.
\(\|{\bf{v}}\| = 2,~ \theta = 300\degree\)
8.
\(\|{\bf{v}}\| = 10,~ \theta = 225\degree\)
Exercise Group.
For Problems 9–12,
sketch the displacement vector and give its coordinate form,
find the magnitude and direction of the vector.
9.
The displacement vector from \((-8,-4)\) to \((7,-1)\)
10.
The displacement vector from \((5,35)\) to \((-10,15)\)
11.
This morning we began hiking from our camp 4 miles east and 2 miles south of the lodge, and this evening we are 6 miles east and 8 miles south of the lodge.
12.
The tunnel should start 100 meters east and 400 meters north of the survey point, and should end 500 meters west and 150 meters north of the survey point.
Exercise Group.
For Problems 13–16,
sketch the given vectors,
calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.
13.
A fire crew is located 2 kilometers due west of the fire station. The station reports a new hot spot 6 kilometers away in the direction \(50\degree\) east of north. How far is the hot spot from the fire crew, and in what direction?
14.
A helicopter has just delivered a patient to the hospital located 15 miles northwest of the heliport. The pilot gets a call to pick up a passenger located 18 miles from the heliport on a bearing of \(200\degree\text{.}\) How far is the passenger from the helicopter, and in what direction?
15.
Red Rock is located at \(4.2{\bf{i}}+2.8{\bf{j}}\) from the town of Dry Gulch, measured in miles, and Skull Point is located at \(-3.5{\bf{i}}+6.3{\bf{j}}\) from Dry Gulch. How far is it from Red Rock to Skull Point, and in what direction?
16.
A coast guard cutter is located 7 miles south and 5 miles west of port when it gets a distress call from a sailboat that reports its location as 1 mile north and 5 miles east of port. How far is it from the cutter to the sailboat, and in what direcion?
Exercise Group.
For Problems 17–18,
find the horizontal and vertical components of the forces,
use the components to calculate the resultant force.