Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences

Dr. Mohit Saxena

mohit.saxena@pnguot.ac.pg

AM126
Analytical Geometry
[Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics]

Lecture 4 Unit Vectors

Before looking at “unit” vectors we need to look at the “length” of a vector 𝒓̅,sometimes
denoted |r|.

The Length of a Vector

Unit Vectors  Direction

̂
̂ then Unit Vector = 𝐫̂ = 𝒓̅ =
For vector 𝐫̅ = 𝐚𝐢̂ + 𝐛𝐣̂ + 𝐜𝐤
𝐚𝐢̂+𝐛𝐣̂+𝐜𝐤
|𝒓| √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟐

7
Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences
Dr. Mohit Saxena
mohit.saxena@pnguot.ac.pg

Example: Find the length if vector of 𝑟̅ = 𝐢̂ + 𝟐𝐣̂ − 𝟐k̂

Solution: length if vector of 𝑟̅ = |𝒓|

|𝒓| = √𝟏𝟐 + 2𝟐 + (−𝟐)𝟐 = √1 + 4 + 4 = √9 = 3

Example: ̂ − 𝟐k̂
Find a unit vector of r = 𝟒𝐢̂ + 𝟓𝐣
Solution: |r| = √(42 + 52 + (–2)2) = √45 = 3√5
𝒓̅ ̂
𝟒𝐢̂+𝟓𝐣̂−𝟐k
𝐫̂ = |𝒓| = 3√5

𝒓̅ 𝟒 𝟓 𝟐
. 𝐫̂ = |𝒓| = 3√5 𝐢̂ + 3√5 𝐣̂ − 3√5 k̂