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Edexcel IGCSE Maths Edexcel IGCSE Maths 5.1.1 Vectors - Basics SaveMyExams
Edexcel IGCSE Maths Edexcel IGCSE Maths 5.1.1 Vectors - Basics SaveMyExams
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5. Vectors & Transformation Geometry ⬇
CONTENTS
5.1 Vectors
5.1.1 Vectors – Basics
5.1 VECTORS
At GCSE we only deal with two-dimensional vectors, although it is possible to have vectors
with any number of dimensions
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Representing vectors
Vectors are represented as arrows, with the arrowhead indicating the direction of the
vector, and the length of the arrow indicating the vector’s magnitude (ie its size):
In print vectors are usually represented by bold letters (as with vector a in the diagram
above), although in handwritten workings underlined letters are normally used.
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Another way to indicate a vector is to write its starting and ending points with an arrow
symbol over the top, as with the vector AB in the diagram below:
Note that the order of the letters is important! Vector BA in the above diagram would point in
the opposite direction (ie with its ‘tail’ at point B, and the arrowhead at point A).
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In the following diagram, Shape A has been translated six squares to the right and 3 squares
up to create Shape B
In this case, the vector ‘carries’ shape A to shape B, so that meaning makes perfect sense!
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Vectors on a grid
You also need to be able to work with vectors on their own, outside of the transformation
geometry context
When vectors are drawn on a grid (with or without x and y axes), the vectors can be
represented in the same (x y) column vector form as above
a = (3 4) b = (2 – 4) c = (2 0)
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When a vector is multiplied by a scalar, the magnitude of the vector changes, but its
direction stays the same
If the vector is represented as a column vector, then each of the numbers in the column
vector gets multiplied by the scalar
a = (4 – 2)
2a = 2 × (4 – 2) = (2 × 4 2 × (-2)) = (8 – 4)
½a= ½ × (4 – 2) = (½ × 4 ½ × (-2)) = (2 – 1)
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Note that multiplying by a negative scalar also changes the direction of the vector:
a = (4 – 2)
Note in particular that vector -a is the the same size as vector a, but points in the opposite
direction!
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Subtracting one vector from another is defined as addition of the negative of the subtracted
vector
a – b = a + (-b)
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When vectors are represented as column vectors, adding or subtracting is simply a matter
of adding or subtracting the vectors’ x and y coordinates
For example:
a = (2 – 4) b = (3 2)
a + b = (2 – 4) + (3 2) = (2 + 3 -4 +2) = (5 – 2)
a – b = (2 – 4) – (3 2) = (2 – 3 -4 -2) = (-1 – 6)
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Worked Example
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The following grid is made up entirely of parallelograms, with the vectors and defined as
marked in the diagram:
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Getting from point to point we have to go the ‘wrong way’ down and then the ‘right way’
along
It follows that:
Keeping those things in mind, it is possible to describe any vector that goes from one point to
another in the above diagram in terms of a and b
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Exam Tip
Adding and subtracting vectors follows all the same rules as adding and
subtracting letters like x and y in algebra (this includes collecting like terms).
It doesn’t matter exactly what path you follow through a diagram from
starting point to ending point – as long as you add and subtract the general
vectors correctly along the path you use, you will get the correct answer.
Worked Example
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Parallel vectors
Two vectors are parallel if and only if one is a multiple of the other
1. If you find in your workings that one vector is a multiple of the other, then you know that the two
vectors are parallel – you can then use that fact in the rest of the proof
2. If you need to show that two vectors are parallel, then all you need to do is show that one of the
vectors multiplied by some number is equal to the other one
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Worked Example
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What is a vector?
Ensure you are familiar with the Revision Notes Vectors – Basics
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For a force, magnitude would be the strength of the force (in Newtons)
The words magnitude and modulus mean the same thing with vectors
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Exam Tip
Sketch a vector to help, it does not have to be to scale – you can then use this
to form a right-angled triangle.
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Worked Example
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All 4 change a shape in some way, useful in things like computer graphics.
There is some language and notation often used in this topic – the original shape is called the
object and the transformed shape is called the image
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3. Centre of rotation – this is the point about which our rotation happens
It does NOT have to be a point that is on the shape nor in the middle of the shape; it can be
anywhere
Exam Tip
Use tracing paper – it should be available although you will probably have to
ask one of the invigilators for it. If you don’t want to do that during the exam,
ask at the start – okay so a question may not turn up but if it does at least
you’ve got it.
Most angles are “nice” – 90°, 180°, etc. Draw an arrow facing “up” on your
tracing paper. Then as you rotate it, it’ll be really easy to see when you’ve
turned 90° (arrow will be facing left or right), 180° (arrow facing down) and so
on.
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Worked Example
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Reflections only have one key thing to look for – the mirror line – but these will be described
mathematically using the equations of straight lines making things a little more awkward
1. Vertical lines
These are in the form x = k, for some number k
2. Horizontal lines
These are in the form y = k, for some number k
3. Diagonal lines
Much harder to perform a reflection in these but lines are of the form
5. Double reflections
This is where the mirror line passes through the shape being reflected
Part of the shape gets reflected one way, the rest the other
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6. Regular polygons
Squares and other regular polygons can look identical even after a reflection (and other
transformations too) – there is no obvious sign the shape has been reflected – you may think
a shape has been translated
The way to identify these is to look at one vertex (point) on the shape and its corresponding
position
Worked Example
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Translations are where an object has moved but remains the same way up
You need to know how to write a translation using a vector (rather than words)
Exam Tip
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Worked Example
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Centre of Enlargement
This tells us where on the page the image is going to go but we have a bit of work to
do first
As with the other transformations in most cases it is easiest to move one vertex of the
shape and draw the image from there
Worked Example
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1. Rotation
It is usually easy to tell the angle from the orientation of the image
Use some instinct and a bit of trial and error to find the centre of enlargement.
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2. Reflection
Double reflections are possible if the mirror line passes through the object
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4. Enlargement
Negative scale factors mean the shape is enlarged on the other side of the centre of
enlargement
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Worked Example
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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