Vector is a nightmare for some students especially if you do not like Physics. But for O level Elementary Mathematics, the few concepts are still quite straightforward to grasp if you follow through step by step.

In this post, I am going to discuss the Basics of Vectors which include:

• Finding magnitude of vectors
• How to find vectors
• Parallel vectors & its significance

This is the exam question used for illustration.

|Magnitude| of vectors

When vectors are given in column vector form: , you can find the magnitude of the vectors usually by applying Pythagoras Theorem.

So magnitude of vectors = . If you do not wish to remember this, you can always draw a diagram in 5 seconds to be able to find the magnitude of any vectors. (This is shown in the video below)

How to find vectors

Finding vectors is just like deciding an alternate route for your journey. You would want to take note of the start point and the end point. For example, My starting point is A, transition point is O and the end point is B.

Hint: When diagram is given, refer to diagram for help to plan the ‘alternate’ route. Otherwise, consider the points given in the question.Sometimes, 3 or more vectors can be involved.

Parallel Vectors

We can tell that 2 vectors are // to each other when they are expressed in this relationship:

where k is a scalar factor.What this means is that is // to and the magnitude of is k times that of

We discuss about // vectors in parallelograms and trapeziums too!

Hint: Parallel vectors have same ‘gradient’.

This is the question which I use to illustrate the 3 points above:

How did you find vectors so far? Is it easy to understand or you do not seem to know anything? Leave me your comments. I would love to hear from you!

In the next post, I will be discussing Finding Ratio of Areas in Vectors & the Strategies Involved.

Related Posts:

• E-Math: Parallel Vectors & Collinear
• E-Math: Introduction to Vectors
• [Video] E-Math Popular Exam Question: Finding Ratio of Areas in Vectors (Includes 3 Strategies & Revision of Similar Triangles)
• Simultaneous Eqns, Vectors, Gradient of Normal, Binomial

magnitude of vectors, parallel vectors, vectors