Vectors

and at the beginning of Sec-

Recall that in Section 1.2 we defined an n-vector
better understand matrix
tion 1.3 briefly introduced vectors algebraically to
we
and in the next
multiplication. In this section w e view 2-vectors geometrically
section we do the same with n-vectors.
Consider the 2-vector

u-

where x1 and yi are real numbers. With u we associate the directed line seg-
ment with initial point at the origin O(0, 0) and terminal point at P(X1. y1).
The directed line segment from O to P is denoted by OP: O is
called its tail
and P its head. We distinguish tail and head by placing an arrow at the head
(Figure 4.6).

Figure 4.6 y-axis

P(X1, y1)

X-axis
O(0,0)

Adirected line segnment has a direction, which is the

the positive x-axis, indicated by the arrow at its head. The
angle made with
directed line segment is its length. magnitude of a

EXAMPLE 3 Let

-
 with tail O(0, 0) and head
With u we can associate the directed line segment
P(2.3), shown in Figure 4.7.

Figure4.7 y-axiS

P(2,3)

-axis

Conversely, with a directed line segment OP with tail O(0, 0) and head
P(X1, y1), we can associate the 2-vector

EXAMPLE 4 With the directed line segment OP with head P(4, 5), we can associate the
2-vector

DEFINITION A vector in the plane is a 2-vector

u=

where x and yj are real numbers, called the components of u. We refer to a

vector in the plane merely as a vector.

Thus with every vector we can associate a directed line segment, and con-
versely, with every directed line segment emanating from the origin we can
associate a vector. As we have seen, a coordinate system is needed to set up
this correspondence. The magnitude and direction of a vector are the mag-
nitude and direction of its associated directed line segment. Frequently, the
notions of directed line segment and vector are used interchangeably and a
directed line segment is called a vector.
Since a vcctor is a matrix, the vectors

and v=

are said to be equal if xj = x2 and yi = V2. That is, two vectors are equal if

their respective components are equal.

EXAMPLES The vectors

and

are not equal, since their respective components are not equal.
 With each vector
-

we can also associate in a unique manner the point P(X1, y); conversely, with
associate in a unique manner the vector
each point P(x1, y1) we can

Thus we also write the vector u as

u = (X1, y1).

Of course, this association is obtained by means of the directed line segment

where O is the origin (Figure 4.6).

OP, Thus the plane may be viewed both as the set of all points or as the set of
all vectors. For this reason and, depending upon the context, we sometimes
take R as the set of all ordered pairs (x1, y1) and sometimes as the set of all
2-vectors

Frequently, in physical applications it is necessary to deal with a di-

rected line segment PQ, from the point P(x1, y1) (not the origin) to the point
will also
Q(x2, y2), as shown in Figure 4.8(a). Such a directed line segment
be called a vector in the plane, or simply a vector with tail P(x1, y1) and
head Q(x2, y2). T h e c o m p o n e n t s o f such a vector are x2 - X1 and y2 - yI.

Thus the vector PQ in Figure 4.8(a) can also be represented by the vector

(x2X, y2- y) O
with tailhead P"(x2 X1, }2 y). Twosuch vec-
and -

tors in the plane will be called equal if their components are equal. Consider

the vectors PQ1, P22, and P; Q3 joining the points Pi(3, 2) and Q1(5,5).
shown in
Pz(0, 0) and Q2(2, 3), P3(-3, 1) and Q3(-1,4), respectively, as

Figure 4.8(b). Since they all have the same components, they are equal.
To find the head Q4(a, b) of the vector

PQ4- - P:2
Figure 4.8
Q2, 2) 6
5.5)
Q(-1,4)

P(1, y1)
:(2. 3)

P " ( 2 - X1, y 2 - y1)

Pa-3. 1) P(3, 2)

P(0, 0)
(b) Vectors in the plane.
(a) Different directed line segments
the sane vector.
representing
 with tailPa(-5, 2), we proceed as follows. We must
have a -(-5) = 2 and
b- 3sothat a 2- 5 = -3 and b = 3 +2
=
5. so the coordinates ot
=

Q are (3. 5). Similarly, to find the tail Ps(c. d) of the vector

POs-|
3 so that c = 8-2=
With head Qs(8. 6), we must havc 8 - c - a n d 6-d =

6 and d =6-3 =
3. Hencc., the coordinates of Ps are (6. 3).