Vectors in the Plane

Basics of vectors in 2-D

Types of Problems:

  • Be able to use proper vocabulary and notation when discussing 2-D vectors
  • Be able to convert between the different versions of a position and a direction vector
  • Understand the difference between a position vector and a direction vector
  • Use parametric equations to model vector movement and position after time
  • Determine the magnitude of a vector from its direction vector
  • Determine directional angles of vectors 

Notes & Handouts

Practice 

Video and other resources

KHAN Academy: Basics of Vectors
CK 12 Link:
Vectors as Directed Line Segments
KHAN Academy: Magnitude of Vector
KHAN Academy:
Component Form of Vectors

Digital Resources

Vector Addition and Subtraction

Types of Problems:

  • Use vector addition and subtraction to model position after time
  • Connect vector addition and subtraction to vector polygons
  • Understand the implications of the parallelogram law for vectors

Notes & Handouts

Practice

​Video and other resources

KHAN Academy:
Vector Addition and Subtraction
KHAN Academy: 
Adding and Subtracting Vectors 2

​Digital Resources

Scalar Vector Multiplication

​Types of Problems:

  • Connect the idea of scalar to position of a vector
  • Use scalar multiples of vectors along with vector addition and vector subtraction to create vector polygons and vector equations
  • Use scalars to determine unit vectors 
  • Connect concept of parallel vectors to scalars

​Practice

​Video and other resources

KHAN Academy: Scalar Multiplication
KHAN Academy: Unit Vector
KHAN Academy:
Vector Addition and Subtraction

​Notes & Handouts

​​Digital Resources

Combined Vector Operations

​Types of Problems:

  • Use a combination of vector operations to represent position including scalar multiplication, vector addition and subtraction
  • Write vector equations related to a given vector polygon

​Practice

​Video and other resources

KHAN Academy:
Combined Vector Operations

​Notes & Handouts

​Digital Resources

Magnitude of a Vector

​​Types of Problems:

  • Determine the magnitude of a vector regardless of types of vectors and given information
  • Be able to distinguish direction from magnitude
  • Be able to determine equivalent vectors 

​​Notes & Handouts

​​Practice

​Video and other resources

KHAN Academy:
​Magnitude and Directional Form of Vectors

​Digital Resources

Direction of a Vector

​​Types of Problems:

  • Determine directional angles of vectors 
  • Be able to distinguish direction from magnitude
  • Be able to distinguish difference be parallel, opposite, and perpendicular as it relates to vectors
  • Review reference angles and basics of trigonometry

​​Practice

​Video and other resources

KHAN Academy:
​Magnitude and Directional Form of Vectors

​​Notes & Handouts

​Digital Resources

Applications related to Vectors in 2-D

​​Types of Problems:

  • Be able to apply vectors to determine speed and direction
  • Be able to express position using a variety of notations and reference methods
  • Be able to apply vectors in physics applications 

​​Practice

​​Video and other resources

KHAN Academy: Applications of Vectors

​​Notes & Handouts

Digital Resources

Additional Resources