Topics
Equations of a vector line
0 of 0 exercises completed
Vector form, cartesian form, parametric form, modeling with vectors
Want a deeper conceptual understanding? Try our interactive lesson! (Plus Only)
Vector form
AHL AI 3.11
A vector line is defined by specifying one fixed point on the line and a direction vector. If the fixed point is given by position vector a, and the direction vector by b, then the line in vector form is:
r =a+λb📖 =⎝⎛a1a2a3⎠⎞+λ⎝⎛b1b2b3⎠⎞
Here, λ∈R is a parameter that varies over all real numbers, generating every point on the line. Changing λ moves the point r along the direction of b, creating the full infinite line.
Parametric form
AHL AI 3.11
A vector line in three-dimensional space can also be expressed in parametric form, showing explicitly the equations for the x, y, and z coordinates separately:
x=x0+λl,y=y0+λm,z=z0+λn📖
Here, (x0,y0,z0) is a point on the line, (l,m,n) are the components of the direction vector, and the parameter λ controls your position along the line. Changing λ moves the point continuously along the direction of the vector, producing the full infinite line.
Modeling with vectors
AHL AI 3.12
In kinematics (the mathematical description of motion), 3D motion can be modeled by a vector line, often expressed with the parameter representing time, t.
Specifically, the direction vector b represents the velocity of an object, indicating both its direction and magnitude of movement. The magnitude of this vector, ∣b∣, is the object's speed—the rate at which it moves, irrespective of direction.
Vectors with variable velocity
AHL AI 3.12
We can extend these kinematics concepts to two dimensions using vectors.
For example, the velocity vector v=(32t−1) represents a constant velocity of 3 in the x direction, and a variable velocity vy(t)=2t−1 in the y-direction.
The speed of the object is just the magnitude of the velocity:
speed=∣v∣=√32+(2t−1)2=√4t2−4t+10
Angle between lines
AHL AI 3.13
The angle between two lines is simply the angle between their direction vectors.
For any two lines r1=a1+λb1 and r2=a2+μb2, the acute angle θ between r1 and r2 can be found via the formula
θ=cos−1(∣b1∣∣b2∣b1⋅b2)
which is just the equation of the scalar product.
Nice work completing Equations of a vector line, here's a quick recap of what we covered:
Skills covered
Exercises checked off
I'm Plex, here to help you understand this concept!