Igcse Maths Cie: 7. Vectors & Transformations

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YOUR NOTES
IGCSE Maths CIE 
7. Vectors & Transformations
CONTENTS
7.1 Vectors
7.1.1 Vectors - Basics
7.1.2 Vectors - Modulus
7.1.3 Vectors - Finding Paths
7.1.4 Vectors - Proving Things
7.2 Transformations
7.2.1 Transformations - Rotation
7.2.2 Transformations - Reflection
7.2.3 Transformations - Translation
7.2.4 Transformations - Enlargement
7.2.5 Combined Transformations
7.2.6 Transformations - Enlargement (Negative Scale Factor)
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7.1 Vectors YOUR NOTES

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7.1.1 Vectors - Basics
What are vectors?
A vector is a type of number that has both a size and a direction
At GCSE we only deal with two-dimensional vectors, although it is possible to have
vectors with any number of dimensions
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.
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:
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YOUR NOTES
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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).
Vectors and transformation geometry
In transformation geometry, translations are indicated in the form of a column vector:
In the following diagram, Shape A has been translated six squares to the right and
3 squares up to create Shape B
This transformation is indicated by the translation vector (6 3) :
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YOUR NOTES
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Note: ‘Vector’ is a word from Latin that means ‘carrier’

In this case, the vector ‘carries’ shape A to shape B, so that meaning makes perfect
sense!
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
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YOUR NOTES
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a = (3 4) b = (2 - 4) c = (2 0)
Multiplying a vector by a scalar

A scalar is a number with a magnitude but no direction – ie the regular numbers
you are used to using
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
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YOUR NOTES
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a = (4 – 2)
2a = 2 × (4 - 2) = (2 × 4 2 × (-2)) = (8 - 4)
½a= ½ × (4 - 2) = (½ × 4 ½ × (-2)) = (2 - 1)
Note that multiplying by a negative scalar also changes the direction of the vector:
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YOUR NOTES
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a = (4 - 2)
-a = -1 × (4 - 2) = (-1 × 4 -1 × (-2)) = (-4 2)
-2a = -2 × (4 - 2) = (-2 × 4 - 2 × (-2)) = (-8 4)
Note in particular that vector -a is the the same size as vector a, but points in the
opposite direction!
Adding and subtracting vectors
Adding two vectors is defined geometrically, like this:
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YOUR NOTES
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Subtracting one vector from another is defined as addition of the negative of the
subtracted vector
a – b = a + (-b)
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:
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YOUR NOTES
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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 YOUR NOTES

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7.1.2 Vectors - Modulus YOUR NOTES

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What is a vector?
Vectors have various uses in mathematics

In mechanics vectors represent velocity, acceleration and forces
At IGCSE vectors are used in geometry – eg. translation
Ensure you are familiar with the Revision Notes Vectors – Basics
Vectors have magnitude and direction
These notes look at finding the magnitude, or modulus, of a vector
Vectors are given in column vector form
What is the magnitude or modulus of a vector?
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YOUR NOTES
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This depends on the use of the vector

For velocity, magnitude would be speed
For a force, magnitude would be the strength of the force (in Newtons)
The words magnitude and modulus mean the same thing with vectors
In geometry magnitude and modulus mean the distance of the vector
This is always a positive value
The direction of the vector is irrelevant
Magnitude or modulus is indicated by vertical lines
|a| would mean the magnitude of vector a
How do I find the magnitude or modulus of a vector
Pythagoras’ Theorem!
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 Exam Tip
Sketch a vector to help, it does not have to be to scale, then you can use this
to form a right-angled triangle.
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7.1.3 Vectors - Finding Paths YOUR NOTES

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Finding paths in vector diagrams
It is important to be able to describe vectors by following paths through a
geometric diagram
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
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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
 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.
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7.1.4 Vectors - Proving Things YOUR NOTES

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What are vector proofs?
In vector proofs we use vectors, along with a few key ideas, to prove that things
are true in geometrical diagrams
Parallel vectors
Two vectors are parallel if and only if one is a multiple of the other
This tends to appear in vector proofs in the following ways:
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
Points on a straight line

Often you are asked to show in a vector proof that three points lie on a straight
line (ie that they are collinear)
This is generally done as follows:
Vectors divided in ratios
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Be careful turning ratios into fractions in vector proofs! YOUR NOTES

4. If a point divides a line segment in the ratio p : q, then: 
eg. In the following diagram, the point divides in the ratio 3: 5:
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7.2 Transformations YOUR NOTES

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7.2.1 Transformations - Rotation
What are transformations in maths?
There are 4 transformations in GCSE Maths – rotation, reflection, translation and
enlargement
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
Vertices on the object are labelled A, B, C, etc.
And on the image they will be A’, B’, C’ etc.
If there is a second transformation then they will become A”, B”, C” etc.
Rotation – what do I need to know?
You need to be able to perform a rotation (on a coordinate grid) as well as spotting
and describing a rotation when presented with one
Rotation has 3 features:
1. Angle of rotation – how far we are going to rotate the shape by
2. Direction – clockwise or anti-clockwise
In the special case of 180° you will not need a direction

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
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YOUR NOTES
 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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7.2.2 Transformations - Reflection YOUR NOTES

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Reflection – what do I need to know?
You need to be able to perform a reflection (on a coordinate grid) as well as
spotting and describing a reflection when presented with one
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
y = mx + c (see Straight Line Graphs)
4. Points on the mirror line
Do not move – they stay where they are

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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YOUR NOTES
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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
If it is a reflection it will be “back-to-front” on the other side
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7.2.3 Transformations - Translation YOUR NOTES

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Translation – what do I need to know?
You need to be able to perform a translation (on a coordinate grid) as well as
spotting and describing a translation when presented with one
Translations are where an object has moved but remains the same way up
This movement is described by a vector
You need to know how to write a translation using a vector (rather than words)
 Exam Tip
As you are simply redrawing a given shape in a different place on the
coordinate grid all you need to do is work out where one of the vertices of
the shape translates to and draw the shape from there.
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7.2.4 Transformations - Enlargement YOUR NOTES

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Enlargement – what do I need to know?
You need to be able to perform an enlargement (on a coordinate grid) as well as
spotting and describing an enlargement when presented with one.
The key things with an enlargement are:
Scale Factor
The scale factor is how many times every side of the image is bigger than the
object
However if the scale factor is a fraction the image will be smaller than the
object
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
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7.2.5 Combined Transformations YOUR NOTES

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Combined Transformations – what do I need to know?
Combined transformations are more than one transformation, one performed after
the after
It is often the case that 2 transformations can be equivalent to 1 alternative
transformation and you will be expected to spot those
Here’s a reminder of the transformations:
1. Rotation
Requires an angle, direction and centre of 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.
2. Reflection
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Mirror line – can be vertical (x = k), horizontal (y = k) or diagonal (y = mx + c) YOUR NOTES

Points on the mirror line do not move 
Double reflections are possible if the mirror line passes through the object
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YOUR NOTES
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4. Enlargement
A scale factor and centre of enlargement are needed for an enlargement

Enlargements can make shapes smaller if scale factor is fractional
Area scale factor is the scale factor squared
Negative scale factors mean the shape is enlarged on the other side of the centre
of enlargement
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7.2.6 Transformations - Enlargement (Negative Scale Factor) YOUR NOTES

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Enlargement with negative scale factors – what do I need to know?
There is only one key difference between enlargements when the scale factor is
negative and normal enlargements
You will still need to perform enlargements with negative scale factors. It is
possible but unusual to be asked to identify one
The key things with an enlargement are:
1. (Negative) Scale Factor
This time it helps to think of the scale factor as how many times a vertex on the
image is further away from the centre of enlargement than the corresponding
vertex on the object
Then, as it is negative, we measure that distance in the opposite direction from the
centre of enlargement.
2. 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
With negative scale factors drawing the shape from one vertex is not as
straightforward
So apply the enlargement to at least two vertices (helps if they are connected) and
do more if necessary.
 Exam Tip
Exam questions are quite keen on combining both negative and fractional
scale factors!Build your answer up following the rules and you will be fine!
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 Start by marking the centre of enlargement (CoE) (6, -1)
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We have a negative and fractional scale factor
Pick 2 - 3 (working below has 4) vertices, drawing a line through that

and the CoE
As the scale factor is -1/3 we should measure one third of the distance
on the other side of these lines
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Igcse Maths Cie: 7. Vectors & Transformations

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7. Vectors & Transformations

7.1 Vectors YOUR NOTES

Note: ‘Vector’ is a word from Latin that means ‘carrier’

Multiplying a vector by a scalar

-a = -1 × (4 - 2) = (-1 × 4 -1 × (-2)) = (-4 2)

-2a = -2 × (4 - 2) = (-2 × 4 - 2 × (-2)) = (-8 4)

When vectors are represented as column vectors, adding or subtracting is simply a

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.1.2 Vectors - Modulus YOUR NOTES

Vectors have various uses in mathematics

This depends on the use of the vector

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.1.3 Vectors - Finding Paths YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.1.4 Vectors - Proving Things YOUR NOTES

Points on a straight line

Vectors divided in ratios

Be careful turning ratios into fractions in vector proofs! YOUR NOTES

eg. In the following diagram, the point divides in the ratio 3: 5:

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.2 Transformations YOUR NOTES

In the special case of 180° you will not need a direction

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.2.2 Transformations - Reflection YOUR NOTES

These are in the form x = k, for some number k

These are in the form y = k, for some number k

Do not move – they stay where they are

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.2.3 Transformations - Translation YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.2.4 Transformations - Enlargement YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.2.5 Combined Transformations YOUR NOTES

Requires an angle, direction and centre of rotation

Mirror line – can be vertical (x = k), horizontal (y = k) or diagonal (y = mx + c) YOUR NOTES

A scale factor and centre of enlargement are needed for an enlargement

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

Worked Example YOUR NOTES

7.2.6 Transformations - Enlargement (Negative Scale Factor) YOUR NOTES