Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
8. Vectors
Vectors in Component Form
Problem 4.18
Textbook Question
Let v be the vector from initial point P₁ to terminal point P₂. Write v in terms of i and j.
P₁ = (-1, 6), P₂ = (7, -5)
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1
Identify the coordinates of the initial point P₁ and the terminal point P₂. Here, P₁ = (-1, 6) and P₂ = (7, -5).
To find the vector \( \mathbf{v} \) from P₁ to P₂, calculate the difference between the corresponding coordinates of P₂ and P₁.
Subtract the x-coordinate of P₁ from the x-coordinate of P₂ to find the i-component: \( 7 - (-1) \).
Subtract the y-coordinate of P₁ from the y-coordinate of P₂ to find the j-component: \( -5 - 6 \).
Express the vector \( \mathbf{v} \) in terms of \( \mathbf{i} \) and \( \mathbf{j} \) using the components calculated: \( \mathbf{v} = (7 - (-1))\mathbf{i} + (-5 - 6)\mathbf{j} \).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Vectors
A vector is a mathematical object that has both magnitude and direction. In a two-dimensional space, a vector can be represented as an ordered pair of coordinates, indicating its position relative to a reference point. The vector from point P₁ to point P₂ can be calculated by subtracting the coordinates of P₁ from those of P₂.
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Unit Vectors i and j
In the Cartesian coordinate system, the unit vectors i and j represent the directions along the x-axis and y-axis, respectively. The vector i is typically represented as (1, 0), while j is represented as (0, 1). When expressing a vector in terms of i and j, we decompose it into its horizontal and vertical components, allowing for a clearer understanding of its direction and magnitude.
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i & j Notation
Vector Components
Vector components are the projections of a vector along the axes of a coordinate system. For a vector v from P₁ to P₂, the components can be found by calculating the difference in the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the points. This results in a vector expressed as v = (x-component)i + (y-component)j, which simplifies the analysis of the vector's direction and length.
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