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Problem Solving using Vectors Simplified Revision Notes

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11.1.5 Problem Solving using Vectors

infoNote

Example: Finding the Missing Point in a Parallelogram

Given a parallelogram ABCDABCD with sides defined by position vectors:

  • A=2i+jA = 2i + j
  • B=6iB = 6i
  • C=4i2jC = 4i - 2j Find the position vector of point DD.

Steps to Solve:


  1. Convert Position Vectors to Column Form:
  • A=(21)A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}
  • B=(60)B = \begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}
  • C=(42)C = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}

  1. Finding Vector BC\overrightarrow{BC}:
  • BC=CB\overrightarrow{BC} = C - B
  • BC=(42)(60)=(22)\overrightarrow{BC} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}

  1. Finding Position Vector of DD:
  • Since ABCDABCD is a parallelogram, BC=AD\overrightarrow{BC} = \overrightarrow{AD}.
  • Therefore, D=A+BCD = A + \overrightarrow{BC}
  • D=(21)+(22)=(01)D = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} + \begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}

Geometric Proof with Vectors

  • Parallel vectors are vectors that go in the same direction; therefore, they will be multiples of each other.
    • Example: Vectors (21),(42),(112)\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}, \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}, \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ -\frac{1}{2} \end{pmatrix} are all parallel because they are multiples of each other.

Definitions of Shapes using Vectors:

infoNote
  • Rectangle: A 4-sided shape with two pairs of parallel sides and right angles.
  • Parallelogram: A 4-sided shape with two pairs of parallel sides.
  • Rhombus: A shape with four sides of the same length.
  • Square: A shape with all four sides of the same length and all angles as right angles.
infoNote

Example Problem: Prove ABCD is a Parallelogram

Given points:

  • A=(21)A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}
  • B=(60)B = \begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}
  • C=(42)C = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}
  • D=(01)D = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}
  1. Finding Vectors:
  • AB=BA=(41)\overrightarrow{AB} = B - A = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}
  • CD=DC=(41)\overrightarrow{CD} = D - C =\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}
  1. Finding Vectors:
  • BC=CB=(22)\overrightarrow{BC} = C - B =\begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}
  • AD=DA=(22)\overrightarrow{AD} = D - A =\begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}
  1. Conclusion:
  • Since AB=CD\overrightarrow{AB} = \overrightarrow{CD} and BC=AD\overrightarrow{BC} = \overrightarrow{AD}, ABCDAB \parallel CD and BCADBC \parallel AD.
  • Therefore, ABCDABCD is a parallelogram.
infoNote

Prove ABCDABCD is not a Rectangle (Hint: Use Gradients)

  1. Calculate Gradient of BCBC:
grad(BC)=2046=22=1\text{grad}(BC) = \frac{-2 - 0}{4 - 6} = \frac{-2}{-2} = 1
  1. Calculate Gradient of CDCD:
grad(CD)=1(2)04=14=14\text{grad}(CD) = \frac{-1 - (-2)}{0 - 4} = \frac{1}{-4} = -\frac{1}{4}
  1. Conclusion: Since 1×1411 \times -\frac{1}{4} \neq -1, the lines are not perpendicular. Therefore, ABCDABCD is not a rectangle.

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