Mathematics

 

Learn Vectors through Animations

In this tutorial, I have included some GeoGebra animations for you to master vectors. You can interactively practise the following:

  • The nature of a column vector
  • Adding two vectors
  • Parallel Vectors
  • Vector equation of a line
  • The dot product or scalar product
  • The equation of a plane
  • The vector equation of a plane

 

Column Vectors

You can practise a column vectors in the following animation. Just move the vector and watch the values of the column vector.

The Sum of Two Vectors - vector addition

Move the two vectors to different points see how the sum of them changes.

 

 

Parallel Vectors

If two vectors are parallel, one vector can be expressed as a multiple of the other. Please move the slider to study it.

 

 

Vector Equation of a Line

The equation of a vector, r = a + λb, where a and b are a position vector of a fixed point and a direction vector respectively and λ is constant. 'r' is the position vector of an arbitrary point on the line.
Move the slider to change λ and observe the equation.

 

 

 

The Dot Product - Scalar Product

Please move the vectors and see how the dot product varies with the angle or the magnitudes of the vectors.

 

 

 

The Equation of a Plane

You may slightly move the grid to see the planes clearly.

 

 

The Vector Equation of a Plane

The vector equation of a plane, r.n = k, where k = a.n is illustrated here. 'a' is the position vector of the point, A. 'n' is the perpendicular vector.

Press the play button on the left to see the movement of the perpendicular vector, n.

 

 

Recommended Reading


 

Maths is challenging; so is finding the right book. K A Stroud, in this book, cleverly managed to make all the major topics crystal clear with plenty of examples; popularity of the book speak for itself - 7th edition in print.

Recommended - GCSE & iGCSE


 

This is the best book available for the new GCSE(9-1) specification and iGCSE: there are plenty of worked examples; a really good collection of problems for practising; every single topic is adequately covered; the topics are organized in a logical order.

Recommended for A Level


 

This is the best book that can be recommended for the new A Level - Edexcel board: it covers every single topic in detail;lots of worked examples; ample problems for practising; beautifully and clearly presented.