Math 152-copyright Joe Kahlig, 11C Page 1

Section 1.1: Vectors

Definition: A vector is a quantity that has both a magnitude and a direction. A two-dimensional
vector is an ordered pair a = ha1 , a2 i of real numbers. The numbers a1 and a2 are called the com-
ponents of a.

Example: Graph the vector h3, 4i.

−6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6
−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−
−→ −
−→
Example: For the points, A(1, −2) and B(5, 4), find AB and BA.

Definition: Given two points J(a1 , a2 ) and K(b1 , b2 ), then the vector represended by
−−→
JK =

Definition: The magnitude or length of a vector a = ha1 , a2 i is

|a| =

Example: Find the length of these vectors.

A) h4, 6i

B) h0, 0i

Scalar Multiplication: If c is a scalar and a = ha1 , a2 i, then we define the vector ca as

ca =

|ca| =
Math 152-copyright Joe Kahlig, 11C Page 2

Definition: Two vectors, a and b are said to be parallel if there is some scalar c such that a = cb

Vector Addition/Subtraction: If a = ha1 , a2 i and b = hb1 , b2 i then the vector a + b and a − b are
defined as

a+b=

a−b=

Example: Compute the following for a = h3, 4i and b = h6, 2i

A) a + b

B) 2a + 3b

C) a − 2b

Definition: A unit vector is a vector of length 1. The vectors i = h1, 0i and j = h0, 1i are referred to
as the standard basis vectors for the xy plane.

Example: Find a vector of length 7 that is in the same direction as a = h3, 4i

Math 152-copyright Joe Kahlig, 11C Page 3

Example: A pilot is flying in the direction of N60o W at a speed of 250km/hr.

A) Find the velocity vector.

B) If there is a wind blowing in the direction of N45o E at 30km/hr,

find the true course and ground speed of the plane.
Math 152-copyright Joe Kahlig, 11C Page 4

Example: A 50lb weight hangs from 2 wires. Find the tensions(forces) T1 and T2 in both wires and
their magnitudes.

o o
30 50

Challenge Problem:
−−→
1) Given the points P (2, −5) and Q(6, 5) find a vector of length 3 that is in the same direction as QP .

2) Two tug boats are towing a large ship into port. The larger tug exerts a force of 5000 pounds on
its cable, and the smaller tug exerts a force of 3500 pounds on its cable. If the ship is to travel in a
straight line, find the angle θ that the larger tug must make if the smaller tug makes an angle of 30o .

o
30

3) A pilot wants to fly from town A to town B which is due North of town A. There is a wind blowing
from the direction S30o W at a speed of 30km/hr. The airspeed of the plane is 250km/hr.
A) What direction should the plane fly?
B) What is the ground speed of the plane?