Representing-Vectors-As-Diagrams Edexcel Higher

Vector diagrams

How can I represent a vector visually?

• A vector has both a size (magnitude) and a direction

  • You need to draw a line to show the size of the vector

  • You also need to draw an arrow to show the direction of the vector

• Vectors are written in bold when typed to show that they are a vector and not a scalar

  • When writing a vector in an exam you should underline the letter to show it is a vector

  • when typed and  when handwritten

    • You will not lose marks if you forget to underline vectors

• If a vector starts at A and ends at B we can write it as

  • Here the arrow will point toward B

  • Vector  will have the same length but point toward A

How do I draw a vector on a grid?

• You can draw a vector anywhere on a grid

  • Just make sure it has the correct length and the correct direction

• To draw the vector <img alt=”bold a equals open parentheses table row 3 row 4 end table close parentheses” data-mathml='<math ><semantics><mrow><mi mathvariant=”bold”>a</mi><mo>=</mo><mfenced><mtable><mtr><mtd><mn>3</mn></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mn>4</mn></mtd></mtr></mtable></mfenced></mrow><annotation encoding=”application/vnd.wiris.mtweb-params+json”>{“language”:”en”,”fontFamily”:”Times New Roman”,”fontSize”:”18″,”autoformat”:true}</annotation></semantics></math>’ height=”54″ role=”math” 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