SH1685

VECTOR PROJECTIONS
The simplest projection is the one-dimensional, wherein the quantity is represented with an arrow
pointing to a specific direction, usually in one of the four cardinal directions (NESW). The two-
dimensional projection shows the vector value represented by an arrow pointing in a direction specified
by two (2) components: the x- and y-axes, which is measured by an angle. The complex form of
projection, the three-dimensional, represents the vector with an arrow that uses three components: x,
y, and the z-axis.

VECTOR COMPONENTS
Two-Dimensional Components y
Steps in splitting a vector into its components:
1. Sketch the vector on the Cartesian coordinate system Quadrant II Quadrant I
based on the given information. x<0 ; (-) x>0 ; (+)
2. Based on the quadrant where it is located, determine y>0 ; (+) y>0 ; (+)
the sign of each component.
3. Determine which trigonometric function will give the
-x x
x- and y-components.
Quadrant III Quadrant IV
4. Multiply the magnitude of the vector to the appropriate
trigonometric function of the angle to obtain the x<0 ; (-) x>0 ; (+)
magnitude of the component. y<0 ; (-) y<0 ; (-)
5. Affix the sign of the components as obtained in step 2.
-y
Parallelogram Method
The parallelogram method is used for accurately drawn vectors, or for two (2) vectors of different
sources. Simply put, using this method requires all that has been learned in trigonometry and basic
geometry. Here are the steps for the parallelogram method.
Accurate Vector
1. Select a scale and accurately draw the vector to scale in the indicated direction.
2. Sketch a parallelogram around the vector: beginning at the tail of the vector, sketch vertical
and horizontal lines; then sketch horizontal and vertical lines at the head of the vector; the
sketched lines will meet to form a rectangle (a special case of a parallelogram).
3. Draw the components of the vector. The components are the sides of the parallelogram. The
tail of the components start at the tail of the vector and stretches along the axes to the nearest
corner of the parallelogram. Be sure to place arrowheads on these components to indicate their
direction (up, down, left, right).
4. Meaningfully label the components of the vectors with symbols to indicate which component
represents which side. A
northward force component
might be labeled Fnorth. A
rightward velocity component
might be labeled vx; etc.
5. Measure the length of the sides
of the parallelogram and use
the scale to determine the
magnitude of the components
Source: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors/Lesson-1/Vector-Resolution
in real units. Label the
magnitude on the diagram.
02 Handout 1 *Property of STI
Page 1 of 4
 SH1685

Different Vectors
1. Draw a parallelogram based on the two vectors that
you already have. These vectors will be the two
sides of the parallelogram (not the opposite sides
since they have an angle between them).
2. Determine the remaining angles, since the formula
for the total angle in a polygon is 90° multiplied by
the number of sides (since a parallelogram is a
quadrilateral, 90° x 4 is equal to 360°)
3. Draw the parallelogram’s diagonal. This will
represent its resultant vector.
4. To determine the resultant vector, use the law of cosines.

Three-Dimensional Components
Given the vector r = (r, q, f), its components are:
rz = r cosθ
rx = r cosϕ = r sinθ cosϕ
ry = r sinϕ = r sinθ sinϕ
Note:
θ (theta) = [0°,180°]
ϕ (phi) = [0°, 360°]

NEGATIVE VECTORS
• The negative vector –V, is the same as vector V rotated by 180°.
• The components of –V have signs opposite that of V.
• If using the primary directions, the direction simply reverses while the angle remains.
•
F = 28 N; 30° S of E –F = 28 N; 30° N of W
• The components of –V have signs opposite that of V
v = 12.0 m/s; 220° –v = 12.0 m/s; 40°
• If using i-j-k notation, the sign of each component reverses

02 Handout 1 *Property of STI

Page 2 of 4
 SH1685

I-J-K Notation
- used to write vectors with three axes
- it is written as the sum of the products of its
components with unit vectors î , ĵ , k̂

The image represents the right-hand guide for the

three-dimensional plane. It shows that i (represented by
the index finger) represents the positive x – axis, j (the
middle finger) represents the y – axis, and k (the thumb) represents the z – axis.
Addition of vectors along the same axis
1. Only two (2) directions are considered (label one direction as positive and the other as negative).
2. Indicate the direction of vectors using positive or negative sign.
3. Add the vectors like how you add signed numbers.
4. Replace the sign of the resultant with the direction designated to that sign.
5. In case of a negative vector, replace the subtraction sign with its corresponding negative vector,
then proceed to addition.
Multiplication and Division
• Not all combinations of physical quantities being multiplied or divided make sense.
• Only specific scalars or vectors, where multiplication or division makes sense, depending on
specific theories and laws.
UNIT VECTOR
A unit vector is a vector whose value shows only the
direction because its magnitude is equal to one (1). It is
similar to the unit circle in Trigonometry because it
represents all trigonometric functions with measurement in
all quadrants equal to one (1). For the Unit vector, it depicts
the vector variable with a circumflex, commonly called a
hat. It is obtained by dividing the vector value to its scalar
value (meaning, you divide the vector value to itself,
resulting in a vector with a magnitude of 1).
F
Fˆ 
Source: https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/images/circle-
unit-radians.gif F

02 Handout 1 *Property of STI

Page 3 of 4
 SH1685

Example:
If the vector value of a force moving at 450 N, at 30 km E, what is the unit vector value?

Solution:

F
Fˆ 
F
450 N
Fˆ 
450 N
F̂  30 km E

References:
Bauer, W., & Westfall, G. D. (2016). General physics 1 (2nd ed.). Quezon City: ABIVA Publishing
House.
Bautista, D.C. (2013). Science impact: Integrated science (3rd ed.). Antipolo City: Academe
Publishing House, Inc.
Belleza, R.V., Gadong, E.S.A., …, Sharma, M. PhD (2016). General physics 1. Quezon City, Vibal
Publishing House, Inc.
CHED (n.d.). Vectors. Teach Together: CHED K-12 Curriculum Sharing Site:
http://teachtogether.chedk12.com/teaching_guides/view/81
Freedman, R. A., Ford, A. L., & Young, H. D. (2011). Sears and zemansky's university physics (With
modern physics) (13th ed.). Addison-Wesley.
MinutePhysics (2011). The arrow of time feat. Sean Carroll. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdTMuivYF30
Scalars and Vectors (n.d.). Retrieved from The Physics Classroom:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Scalars-and-Vectors
Somara, S. (2016). Vectors and 2D motion: Crash course physics #4. Retrieved from YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BhzYI6zXU
Vectors and direction (n.d.). Retrieved from The Physics Classroom:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors/Lesson-1/Vectors-and-Direction

02 Handout 1 *Property of STI

Page 4 of 4