A Review of vectors
Clement Radcliffe, Contributor

Last week you were given solutions to select past paper questions. I do hope that you found the entire exercise beneficial. You are, of course, expected to continue to do other examples on your own. Past papers are available in the book shops and you should endeavour to make use of these, along with the examples you will find in your textbooks.

Today, we will begin the review of vectors

Please review the following description:

(a) A motor car travels with velocity 45Km per hour due north.

(b) A force of 25N due East.

Could you say what both statements have in common?

You are correct that in both cases, their sizes and directions are given. These are examples of vector quantities representing velocity of a car and force, respectively.

A vector quantity is one which identifies both the magnitude (size) and direction.

A speed of 20 metres per second is a scalar quantity. (No direction is given).

Vector quantities are usually represented in the form:

AB, a or as a column vector (x y).

We will review vectors presented as column vectors.

The vector AB = x if x and y are respectively the x and y y components of the line.

AB on the Cartesian diagram.

This Wolmer's girl (centre) chooses a unique way of showing appreciation for a performance during the school's ISCF concert on April 4. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

Clement Radcliffe is the principal of Glenmuir High School in May Pen.