Precalculus by Richard Wright

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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

6-03 Vectors

Mr. Wright teaches the lesson.

Summary: In this section, you will:

SDA NAD Content Standards (2018): PC.5.3, PC.6.4

Hikers
Figure 1: Hikers in the woods. credit (pxhere.com)

Pretend you are hiking in the woods. You know you parked a mile away, so you start walking. Is it important which direction you walk? It is if you want to get back to your car. Vectors are quantities that include direction.

Vectors

A vector is a mathematical quantity with direction and magnitude. Magnitude is the size of the vector. So if your car is 1 mile to the east, the magnitude of the vector is 1 mile and the direction is east.

Vectors are represented by arrows. The point where the arrow starts is called the initial point and the point where the arrow ends is called the terminal point.

Figure 2: Vector \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{AB}\).

To conveniently use vectors, they are written in component form. Component form describes a vector by how far it is horizontally and vertically. These are called the horizontal and vertical components. The components are calculated by subtracting the initial point from the terminal point.

$$\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = \langle v_x, v_y \rangle = \langle q_x - p_x, q_y - p_y \rangle$$

The magnitude is the length of the vector arrow. This can be found with the Pythagorean theorem.

$$\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert = \sqrt{\left(q_x - p_x\right)^2 + \left(q_y - p_y\right)^2} = \sqrt{v_x^2 + v_y^2}$$

Component Form

$$\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = \langle v_x, v_y \rangle = \langle q_x - p_x, q_y - p_y \rangle$$

where \(\left(p_x, p_y\right)\) is the initial point and \(\left(q_x, q_y\right)\) is the terminal point.

Magnitude

$$\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert = \sqrt{\left(q_x - p_x\right)^2 + \left(q_y - p_y\right)^2} = \sqrt{v_x^2 + v_y^2}$$

Example 1: Find Component Form and Magnitude of a Vector

Find the (a) component form and (b) magnitude of the vector \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{r}\) with initial point (2, 5) and terminal point (−2, 4).

Solution
  1. $$\overset{\rightharpoonup}{r} = \langle q_x - p_x, q_y - p_y \rangle$$

    $$\overset{\rightharpoonup}{r} = \langle -2 - 2, 4 - 5 \rangle$$

    $$\overset{\rightharpoonup}{r} = \langle -4, -1 \rangle$$

  2. $$\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{r} \rVert = \sqrt{r_x^2 + r_y^2}$$

    $$\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{r} \rVert = \sqrt{\left(-4\right)^2 + \left(-1\right)^2}$$

    $$\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{r} \rVert = \sqrt{17}$$

Try It 1

Find the (a) component form and (b) magnitude of \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{s}\) with initial point (−2, 4) and terminal point (3, 0).

Answer

\(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{s} = \langle 5, -4 \rangle\); \(\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{s} \rVert = 2\sqrt{5}\)

Vector Operations

Scalar Multiplication

Scalar multiplication is multiplying a vector by a single number. A scalar is a quantity without direction and is not a vector. Graphically, scalar multiplication drawing several copies of the same vector end to end.

Figure 3: Scalar multiplication

Algebraically, the scalar is distributed to each component of the vector.

$$k\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = \langle kv_x, kv_y \rangle$$

Multiplying a vector by −1 results in a vector of the same magnitude, but opposite direction.

Scalar Multiplication

Graphically

  1. Draw the several copies of the vector in a straight line.

Algebraically

  1. Distribute the scalar to the vector components.

Vector Addition

Graphically, adding vectors means to draw them tip-to-tail. This means you draw the first vector, then draw the second vector with its tail at the tip of the first vector. The resultant, or sum, is the vector from the first initial point to the final terminal point.

Figure 4: Vector addition

Algebraically, add vectors by adding like components. This is because the total horizontal component is the horizontal distance of the first vector and the horizontal distance of the second vector. Likewise for the vertical components.

$$\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} = \langle v_x + u_x, v_y + u_y \rangle$$

Vector Addition

Graphically

  1. Draw the first vector.
  2. Draw the second vector starting at the terminal point of the first vector.
  3. The resultant, or sum, is the vector from the initial point of the first vector to the terminal point of the second vector.

Algebraically

  1. Add like components.
Properties of Scalar Multiplication and Vector Addition

Let \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u}\), \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\), and \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{w}\) be vectors and let a and b be scalars.

  1. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{u}\)
  2. \(\left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{w} = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + \left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{w}\right)\)
  3. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{0} = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)
  4. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \left(-\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{0}\)
  5. \(a\left(b\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = \left(ad\right)\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)
  6. \(\left(a + b\right)\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = a\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + b\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)
  7. \(a\left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = a\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + a\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)
  8. \(1\left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}, 0\left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{0}\)
  9. \(\lVert a\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert = \lvert a \rvert \lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert\)

Example 2: Scalar Multiplication

Given \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{t} = \langle 1, 4 \rangle\), find \(3\overset{\rightharpoonup}{t}\) both (a) graphically and (b) algebraically.

Solution
  1. Draw 3 of \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{t}\) end to end. The resultant goes from the very beginning to the very end.
    Figure 5: \(3\overset{\rightharpoonup}{t}\)
  2. $$3\overset{\rightharpoonup}{t} = 3\langle 1, 4 \rangle$$

    $$= \langle 3, 12 \rangle$$

Example 3: Adding Vectors

Given \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m} = \langle 2, 3 \rangle\) and \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{n} = \langle -1, 1 \rangle\), find \(2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{n}\) both (a) graphically and (b) algebraically.

Solution
  1. Draw 2 of \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m}\) end to end. Then at the end of those draw \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{n}\). The resultant goes from the very beginning to the very end.
    Figure 6: \(2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{n}\)
  2. $$2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{n} = 2\langle 2, 3 \rangle + \langle -1, 1 \rangle$$

    $$= \langle 4, 6 \rangle + \langle -1, 1 \rangle$$

    $$= \langle 3, 7 \rangle$$

Try It 2

Given that \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{t} = \langle 0, 4 \rangle\) and \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{s} = \langle 4, -5 \rangle\), find \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{t} + 2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{s}\) both graphically and algebraically.

Answer

; \(\langle 8, -6 \rangle\)

Unit Vectors

A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude is one. To find a unit vector in the direction of another vector, simply divide by the magnitude.

Unit Vector

A unit vector in the direction of \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)

$$\hat{u} = \frac{\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}}{\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert}$$

Example 4: Find a Unit Vector

Find a unit vector in the direction of \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{g} = \langle 6, -8 \rangle\).

Solution

$$\hat{u} = \frac{\overset{\rightharpoonup}{g}}{\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{g} \rVert}$$

$$\hat{u} = \frac{\langle 6, -8 \rangle}{\sqrt{6^2 + \left(-8\right)^2}}$$

$$= \frac{\langle 6, -8 \rangle}{10}$$

$$= \left\langle \frac{6}{10}, -\frac{8}{10}\right\rangle$$

$$= \left\langle \frac{3}{5}, -\frac{4}{5} \right\rangle$$

Try It 3

Find a unit vector in the direction of \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{b} = \langle 3, -3 \rangle\).

Answer

\(\left\langle \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \right\rangle\)

There are two special unit vectors: \(\hat{i} = \langle 1, 0 \rangle\) and \(\hat{j} = \langle 0, 1 \rangle\). \(\hat{i}\) indicates the x-component and \(\hat{j}\) indicates the y-component and can be used to write vectors in linear combination form. For example, \(\langle 3, 2 \rangle = 3\hat{i} + 2\hat{j}\). The advantage of linear combination is that vector addition and scalar multiplication follows the general rules of algebra like combining like terms and the distributive property.

Linear Combination

\(\hat{i} = \langle 1, 0 \rangle\) and signifies the x-component

\(\hat{j} = \langle 0, 1 \rangle\) and signifies the y-component

$$\langle v_x, v_y \rangle = v_x \hat{i} + v_y \hat{j}$$

Example 5: Use Linear Combination

  1. Write \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = \langle -2, 7 \rangle\) and \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} = \langle 1, -5 \rangle\) in linear combination form.
  2. Find \(3\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + 2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u}\)
Solution
  1. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = -2 \hat{i} + 7 \hat{j}\) and \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} = \hat{i} - 5 \hat{j}\)

  2. $$3\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + 2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u}$$

    $$3\left(-2 \hat{i} + 7 \hat{j}\right) + 2\left(\hat{i} - 5 \hat{j}\right)$$

    $$-6\hat{i} + 21\hat{j} + 2\hat{i} - 10\hat{j}$$

    $$-4\hat{i} + 11\hat{j}$$

Try It 4

Write \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{w} = 3\hat{i} - 5\hat{j}\) in component form and find \(2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{w}\).

Answer

\(\langle 3, -5 \rangle\); \(6\hat{i} - 10\hat{j}\)

Lesson Summary

Component Form

$$\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = \langle v_x, v_y \rangle = \langle q_x - p_x, q_y - p_y \rangle$$

where \(\left(p_x, p_y\right)\) is the initial point and \(\left(q_x, q_y\right)\) is the terminal point.

Magnitude

$$\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert = \sqrt{\left(q_x - p_x\right)^2 + \left(q_y - p_y\right)^2} = \sqrt{v_x^2 + v_y^2}$$


Scalar Multiplication

Graphically

  1. Draw the several copies of the vector in a straight line.

Algebraically

  1. Distribute the scalar to the vector components.

Vector Addition

Graphically

  1. Draw the first vector.
  2. Draw the second vector starting at the terminal point of the first vector.
  3. The resultant, or sum, is the vector from the initial point of the first vector to the terminal point of the second vector.

Algebraically

  1. Add like components.

Properties of Scalar Multiplication and Vector Addition

Let \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u}\), \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\), and \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{w}\) be vectors and let a and b be scalars.

  1. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{u}\)
  2. \(\left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{w} = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + \left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{w}\right)\)
  3. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{0} = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)
  4. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \left(-\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{0}\)
  5. \(a\left(b\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = \left(ad\right)\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)
  6. \(\left(a + b\right)\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = a\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + b\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)
  7. \(a\left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = a\overset{\rightharpoonup}{u} + a\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)
  8. \(1\left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}, 0\left(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\right) = \overset{\rightharpoonup}{0}\)
  9. \(\lVert a\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert = \lvert a \rvert \lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert\)

Unit Vector

A unit vector in the direction of \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\)

$$\hat{u} = \frac{\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}}{\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} \rVert}$$


Linear Combination

\(\hat{i} = \langle 1, 0 \rangle\) and signifies the x-component

\(\hat{j} = \langle 0, 1 \rangle\) and signifies the y-component

$$\langle v_x, v_y \rangle = v_x \hat{i} + v_y \hat{j}$$

Helpful videos about this lesson.

Practice Exercises

  1. What is a vector? Give an example of a vector not mentioned in the lesson.
  2. (a) Graph the vector, (b) write it in component form, (c) find the magnitude.

  3. Initial point at (−3, 5) and terminal point at (0, 3).
  4. Initial point at (0, −4) and terminal point at (1, 2).
  5. Horizontal component of 7 and vertical component of 12 (Hint: start the graph at (0, 0).)
  6. Given \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m} = \langle 0, 4 \rangle\), \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{n} = \langle -2, 2 \rangle\), and \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{p} = \langle -1, -3 \rangle\), evaluate the following (a) graphically and (b) algebraically.

  7. \(-\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m}\)
  8. \(2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{n}\)
  9. \(-3\overset{\rightharpoonup}{p}\)
  10. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{p}\)
  11. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{n} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{m}\)
  12. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{p} + 2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m}\)
  13. \(2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{m} - \overset{\rightharpoonup}{n}\)
  14. Find a unit vector, \(\hat{u}\), in the direction of the given vector.

  15. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = \langle 3, 0 \rangle\)
  16. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{w} = \langle -3, 4 \rangle\)
  17. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{c} = 5\hat{i} - 12\hat{j}\)
  18. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{r} = -5\hat{i} + 3\hat{j}\)
  19. Given \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} = 2\hat{i} - 4\hat{j}\) and \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{s} = -\hat{i} - 3\hat{j}\), evaluate the following.

  20. \(\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + \overset{\rightharpoonup}{s}\) both (a) graphically and (b) algebraically
  21. \(2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v}\) both (a) graphically and (b) algebraically
  22. \(-\overset{\rightharpoonup}{v} + 2\overset{\rightharpoonup}{s}\) both (a) graphically and (b) algebraically
  23. \(\lVert \overset{\rightharpoonup}{s} \rVert\)
  24. Write \(\langle 5, -8 \rangle\) in linear combination form.
  25. Mixed Review

  26. (6-02) Given ΔABC with A = 45°, b = 17, c = 14; find a.
  27. (6-02) Given ΔQRP with q = 20, r = 24, p = 30; find R.
  28. (6-01) Given ΔSTU with S = 20°, T = 100°, t = 31; find s.
  29. (5-03) Verify \(\cos α \left(\cos α + 2 \sin α\right) = 1 - \sin^2 α + \sin 2α\).
  30. (2-07) Find all the asymptotes of \(y = \frac{x + 1}{x^2 - 4}\).

Answers

  1. Directed line segment or a measurement with direction; velocity, acceleration, force
  2. ; \(\langle 3, -2 \rangle\); \(\sqrt{13}\)
  3. ; \(\langle 1, 6 \rangle\); \(\sqrt{37}\)
  4. ; \(\langle 7, 12 \rangle\); \(\sqrt{193} ≈ 13.89\)
  5. ; \(\langle 0, -4 \rangle\)
  6. ; \(\langle -4, 4 \rangle\)
  7. ; \(\langle 3, 9 \rangle\)
  8. ; \(\langle -1, 1 \rangle\)
  9. ; \(\langle -2, 6 \rangle\)
  10. ; \(\langle -1, 5 \rangle\)
  11. ; \(\langle 2, 6 \rangle\)
  12. \(\langle 1, 0 \rangle\)
  13. \(\langle \frac{-3}{5}, \frac{4}{5} \rangle\)
  14. \(\frac{5}{13}\hat{i} - \frac{12}{13}\hat{j}\)
  15. \(-\frac{5\sqrt{34}}{34}\hat{i} + \frac{3\sqrt{34}}{34}\hat{j}\)
  16. ; \(\hat{i} - 7\hat{j}\)
  17. ; \(4\hat{i} - 8\hat{j}\)
  18. ; \(-4\hat{i} - 2\hat{j}\)
  19. \(\sqrt{10}\)
  20. \(5\hat{i}-8\hat{j}\)
  21. 12.18
  22. 52.89°
  23. 10.77
  24. \(\cos α \left(\cos α + 2 \sin α\right)\) \(= \cos^2 α + 2 \sin α \cos α\) \(= 1 - \sin^2 α + \sin 2α\)
  25. VA: x = -2, x = 2; HA: y = 0