Vector
A quantity that requires both
magnitude and direction.
Ex) Velocity (not speed!)
Tip/Head
Tail
Negative Vectors
Negative vectors have the same
length, but are perfectly opposite in
direction.
𝑣 −𝑣
Vector between two points
To find the vector between two
points, subtract the first from the
second:
For points 𝐴(𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 )
and 𝐵(𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , 𝑏3 ),
𝑏1 − 𝑎1
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = [𝑏2 − 𝑎2 ]
Vector 𝐴𝐵
𝑏3 − 𝑎3
Scalar Equal Vectors
A quantity that requires only Two vectors are equal if they have the
magnitude. exact same magnitude and exact
same direction.
Ex) Speed (not velocity!)
 Set the components in each
individual vector equal to each
 You can multiply a scalar by a other.
vector.
 You CANNOT divide a vector by a 𝑎 𝑥
 for [ ] = [𝑦]
scalar – you must multiply it by its 𝑏
reciprocal. 𝑎 = 𝑥 and 𝑏 = 𝑦
Particularly useful when dealing with
shapes or comparing vectors.
Zero Vector Magnitude
A vector that has a magnitude of 0 The length of a vector. Also called
and no defined direction. “modulus”. Represented as |𝑎|.
𝑥
Defined as ⃗0.
If 𝑎 = [𝑦] ,
𝑧
𝑎 + (−𝑎) = ⃗0
|𝑎| = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
 |𝑎| is always positive
 |𝑎| is a scalar
Helps you find lengths and
distances – useful with shapes
(triangles).
Addition of Vectors Component form of a vector
Geometric: Add the vectors tip-to-tail. For algebraic vectors rather than
geometric vectors.
Don’t forget to draw the actual
answer (the resultant – from the tail A vector can be written in its
of the first to tip of the last) 𝑥
𝑢
⃗ “component” form where 𝑎 = [𝑦]
𝑣 𝑣 𝑧
where 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 represent the
𝑢
⃗
amount of units in each direction on
the axis.
Algebraic: Add the individual
components. 2
𝑎1 + 𝑏1 Ex) 𝑎 = [ ] Right 2
−1
⃗
𝑎 + 𝑏 = [ 2 + 𝑏2 ]
𝑎
Down 1
𝑎3 + 𝑏3
 Standard Basis Vectors/
Unit Vector Form
All vectors can be created from the
vectors:
1 0 0
⃗ = [0]
𝑖 = [0], 𝑗 = [1], 𝑘
0 0 1 where 𝑘𝜖ℝ.
1 0
(or 𝑖 = [ ], 𝑗 = [ ], in 2D).
0 1
Used regularly with vector addition, scalar
multiplication, dot product, properties
etc…. it is just as common to see 3𝑖 +
3
⃗ as [ 4 ]
4𝑗 − 𝑘
−1
** See Vector Notation Card**
Vector Subtraction
Vectors are not subtracted…rather
you add the opposite vectors.
Geometrically this means that you
change the direction and then attach
the vectors tip-to-tail.
Unit Vector
A unit vector is any vector which has a
magnitude of 1. A unit vector in the
direction of 𝑣 is given by:
1
𝑣̂ = |𝑣⃗| 𝑣
where ̂ indicates a unit vector.
Paricularly useful when needing to
change or find sizes of certain vectors
and also has certain properties when
using “Dot Product Properties” (see
card).
Parallel Vectors Collinear Vectors
If 𝑎 is parallel to 𝑏⃗, then there exists a Three or more points are said to be
scalar k such that 𝑎 = 𝑘𝑏⃗. collinear if they lie on the same
straight line.
In general, 𝑘𝑎 is a vector parallel to 𝑎,
Points 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 are collinear if ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 =
 It has the same direction as 𝑎, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑘𝐵𝐶 for some scalar k.
if 𝑘 > 0 , and
 It has the opposite direction Used when working with shapes
as 𝑎, if 𝑘 < 0 . (showing three points do not form a
 ka  k a triangle for example but that instead
the points all lie on the same line. )
Useful in many applications, shapes,
Useful when working with ratios of
scalar multiples etc….
division.
Scalar Multiplication Dot Product
You can multiply any vector by a Used to help find angles between
scalar 𝑘 to change its length or switch vectors (tail-to-tail). Particularly
it to the opposite direction. important with perpendicularity.
Note: There is no such thing as dividing a ⃗ ∙𝒘
𝒗 ⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑣1 𝑤1 + 𝑣2 𝑤2 + 𝑣3 𝑤3
vector by a scalar; you must multiply it by (Algebraic)
1 𝑎⃗
the reciprocal. i.e. 𝑎, NOT
3 3
⃗⃗⃗ = |𝒗
⃗ ∙𝒘
𝒗 ⃗ ||𝒘
⃗⃗⃗ |𝐜𝐨𝐬𝜽
(Geometric)
In general, 𝑘𝑎 :
 has the same direction as 𝑎, if 𝑘 > 0 ,
and
 If 0 ≤ 𝜃 < 90°, cos 𝜃 > 0 so 𝑣 ∙ 𝑤
⃗⃗ > 0
 has the opposite direction as 𝑎, if 𝑘 < 0.  If 𝜃 = 90°, cos 𝜃 = 0 so 𝑣 ∙ 𝑤
⃗⃗ = 0
 If 90° < 𝜃 ≤ 180°, cos 𝜃 < 0 so 𝑣 ∙ 𝑤⃗⃗ < 0
Useful in almost any and every
application of vectors.
Coordinate Axes Dot Product Properties
Useful for simplifying vector
equations. Be very careful of notation
and of what is a scalar vs. a vector!
𝑎 ∙ 𝑏⃗ = 𝑏⃗ ∙ 𝑎
(Commutative)
𝑎 ∙ (𝑏⃗ + 𝑐) = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏⃗ + 𝑎 ∙ 𝑐
(Distributive)
Hint: If you have three points in 3D
that form a shape, it is easier to just 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 = |𝑎|2
draw a sketch in 2D rather than try to (Magnitudes Property)
do it in 3D. The result with the math
will be the same! 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏⃗ = 0 if 𝑎 ⊥ 𝑏⃗
(Perpendicularity)
 Position Vector Distance Mid-Point

A vector that has its tail at the origin Used to find the distance between the Mid-point:
and its head at any other point. two points and equivalently the
distance of a vector from point 𝐴 to 𝐵 𝑥1 +𝑦1 𝑥2 +𝑦2 𝑧1 +𝑧2
( 2
, 2
, 2
)
All vectors can be represented as ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ).
(aka 𝐴𝐵
position vectors.
Use for questions that state “half
𝑑 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 + (𝑧2 − 𝑧1 )2 way”, “bisector”, “middle” etc….
If you see an "𝑂" as part of the
vector, this  Always positive!
The midpoint for 2-Space (2D) would
indicates
not have the z-coordinate.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
origin. i.e. 𝑂𝑃  Closely related to the magnitude
to the right. or modulus of a vector.

Perpendicular Vectors Vector Notation Tip-to-Tail

Two vectors are perpendicular if 𝑎 ∙ Must be used with vectors! Used when adding vectors. Can be
𝑏⃗ = 0. You use: 𝑎 used for more than just two vectors.
Text/IB: 𝒂 Notice that if you see tip-to-tip, one of
Useful for geometric shapes (right these two vectors will be the
angle triangles, rectangles) and slopes ⃗
Be careful with the zero vector! 0 resultant!
of lines (negative reciprocal).

If you see 𝑎, this is just a scalar! Tip-to-Tip

– Means
one of
3 3𝑖 these is
⃗ = [ 4 ], NOT [ 4𝑗 ].
Note that 3𝑖 + 4𝑗 − 𝑘
the
−1 −𝑘⃗
(You cannot have vectors within vectors!) resultant!

Tail-to-Tail Angle Between Two Vectors A Vector in the Direction of…

Set two vectors tail-to-tail if you want To find the angle between two You can create a vector that is in the
to find the angle between the two vectors, they must be placed TAIL-to- same direction as another vector with
vectors. TAIL! whatever length you want by:

See “Dot Product” card for more 1

𝑏⃗ = ±𝑘 ( ) 𝑎
details. |𝑎|
𝑢
⃗ 𝑢
⃗
𝑣 where 𝑏⃗ is the vector that you want to
create and 𝑎 is the vector you have.
𝑣
Notice that you first turn 𝑎 into a unit
vector and then you multiply it by
whatever scalar 𝑘 you would like.