Vectors

Question 1

How do you calculate a vectors magnitude?
Vector a = xi + yj

Answer 1

Pythagoras’ theorem:
|a| = √(x) ² + (y) ²

Question 2

What do the bars mean around a vector?
E.g. |a|

Answer 2

The magnitude or length of the vector.

Question 3

What is the equation for a unit vector?
Vector: a=3i+4j

Answer 3

The equation is, a/|a|
Unit vector:

                        (3i+4j) / 5     ——— i and j form

                        (3/5)   ——— column vector form
                        (4/5)