Resultant Vectors

The resultant of two vectors can be found by ether completing a parallelogram if the vectors are going in
opposite directions or completing a triangle if the vectors are going in the same directions.
Example: Given that the position vectors OP = ()5
3
and OR = ( )
−9
6
are adjacent side of a parallelogram
OPQR, determine: of the two vectors, OQ.

(a) The resultant of the two vectors, OQ.

(b) The magnitude of OQ, IOQI.
(c) The acute angle between OQ and the x-axis.

Solution
(a) The resultant of two vectors, OQ = OP + OR = (53 ) + (−96) = (5+−9
3+ 6 ) =( )
−4
9
(b) IOQI =
Exercise
1. Given that the position vectors OP ( 41)and OR = (62) are adjacent sides of a parallogram OPQR,
determine
(a) The resultant of the two vectors, OQ
(b) The magnitude of OQ, IOQI
(c) The acute angle between OQ and the x-axis
2. The points P(3, 5) and R(7, 0) are opposite vertices of a parallelogram OPQR. Determine:
(a) The resultant of the two vectors, OQ
(b) The magnitude of OQ, IOQI
(c) The acute angle between OQ and the x-axis
3. Two opposite sides of a parallelogram OABCD are A(-8, 3) and C(-5, 7). Determine:
(a) The resultant of the two vectors, OB
(b) The magnitude of OB, IOBI
(c) The acute angle between OB and the x-axis.
4. Given that the position vectors OA = ( )
−6
5
and OB = ( )
−2
1
area adjacent sides of a parallelogram
OABC, determine:
(a) The resultant of the two vectors, OB
(b) The magnitude of OB, IOBI
(c) The acute angle between OB and the x-axis
 5. The points K(-3, 8) and M(7, -4) are opposite vertices of a parallelogram OKLM. Determine:
(a) The resultant of the two vectors, OL
(b) The magnitude of OL, IOLI
(c) The acute angle between OL and the x-axis

Application of Vectors

ABCD is a quadrilateral, not drawn to scale, with AB = a, BC = b and AD = 2BC. The point X divides BD
in the ratio 3:2.
(a) Express BD and BX in terms of a and b
1
(b) Show that XC = (3a – b)
5
Question 1

[] []
1
(a) The position vector of a point P, relative to an origin O is given as OP = . m =
1
2
3
and n =[ ]
1
−3
are two
vectors in the same plane as OP. Given that PQ = m + 2n.
Calculate
(i) PQ, writing your answer in the form[] x
y
(ii) IPQI
(b) In the diagram below, not drawn to scale, M is the midpoint of CE. OF = a, OC = b and FE = 2 OF.

Express in terms of a and b in the simplified form

(i) CF
(ii) CE
(iii) CM
The point G is on CF produced so that CG = kCF where k is a scalar.
(iv) Express MG in terms of a, b and k.
(v) Determine the value of k for which MG = CO
Question 2
 In the figure above, not drawn to scale, ABCD is a parallelogram such that DC = 3x and DA = 3y. The point
P is on DB such that DP: PB = 1:2.
(a) Express in terms of x and y:
(i) AB
(ii) DB
(iii) DP
(b) Show that AP =x -2y
(c) Given that E is the mid-point of DC, prove that A, P and E are collinear.
(d) Given that x =[] 2
0 [] 1
and y = , use a vector method to prove that triangle AED is isosceles.
1

Solution
(a) (i) AB = DC – equal in magnitude and parallel, as expected for opposite of a parallelogram ⸫AB =3x
(ii) Similarly as CB = DA =3y
BD = BC + CD
= 3y + (-3x) = 3y – 3x
(iii) DB = -(-3x – 3y) = 3x + 3y
1 1
Since DP : PB = 1 : 2, then DP = DB and DP = (3x + 3y) = x + y
3 3
(b) AP = x – 2y
= -(3y) + (x + y) = x – 2y
(c)

1
DE = 3x
2
1 1
AE = AD + DE = -(3y) + 1 x = 1 x – 3y
2 2
1 1 1
1 x – 3y = 1 (x – 2y) = 1 AP
2 2 2