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LECTURE GUIDE IN
VECTOR ANALYSIS
Prepared by: Engr. John Joel F. Martinez

Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Introduction to Vector Analysis

At the end of this session, the student should be able to:

Classify Scalar quantity and Vector Quantity

Represent a Vector, graphically, on a three-dimensional rectangular coordinates
system
Express vector field as an equation using rectangular coordinates and unit
vectors
Solve problems using rules in vector operations

1.1 Why study vector analysis?

Vector analysis, which had its beginnings in the middle of the 19 th century, has in
recent years become an essential part of mathematical background required for
engineers, physicists, mathematicians and other scientists. This requirement is far
more accidental, for not only does vector analysis provide a concise notation for
presenting equations arising from mathematical formulations of physical and
geometrical ideas. In short, it might very well be considered a most rewarding
language and mode of thought for the physical sciences. (Spiegel, 1959)
1.2 What are Scalar and Vector quantities
Scalar refers to quantity whose value maybe represented by a single (positive or
negative real number) only. Quantities that are scalar are those parameters that are
taken at a single point in space (ex. temperature at certain part in a tea cup) or
measured at a specific time (distance from the ground of a falling body at a certain
time). Some scalar quantities are mass, density, pressure, volume and volume
resistivity.
Vectors are n-dimensional quantities that has both magnitude and direction. In
this course, however, only two and three dimensional vectors are considered. Force,
velocity, acceleration, and a straight line from the positive or negative terminal of a
storage battery are examples of vector. Conversely, vectors are physical quantities
that has either a spatial direction or a change in its value.
In vector analysis, well be more interested in scalar and vector fields. A field
maybe defined mathematically as some function of that vector which connects an
arbitrary origin to a general point in space. Usually, fields are associated to some
physical effect, such as force on a compass needle in the magnetic field, or the
movement of smoke particles in the field defined by the vector velocity of air in some
region of space. Field concept are invariably related to some region in space. Some
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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

example of Scalar field are the temperature of soup throughout the bowl of soup and
the density at any point in the earth. The gravitational and magnetic fields of earth,
the voltage gradient in a cable, and the temperature gradient in a soldering tip are
examples of vector fields. The value of a field varies in general with both position
and time.
Activity 1.1
Classify each quantity as vector or scalar.
a. Distance
b. Computer Memory (bytes)
c. Heat
d. Energy
e. Acceleration
f. Bearing
g. Momentum
h. Displacement
i. Work
j. Pressure
k. Area
l. Entropy
m. Drag

1.3 Vector Representation

Graphically, vector are represented by an arrow OP defining the direction, the
magnitude of the vector being indicated by the length of the arrow. The tail end O of
the arrow is called the origin or the initial point of the vector, and the head P is called
the terminal point or terminus.

Figure 1. Vector Arrow

Analytically, a vector is represented by a letter with an arrow over it, as

Fig. 1, and its magnitude is denoted by

in

| A |A . In other books, vector is also

represented by a bold face letter, A or the line segment

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OP

or OP.

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Example 1.1
Present Graphically (a) Force of 10 lb in a direction

30

north of east.

(b) Force of 15 lb in a direction

30

east of north.

1.4 Vector in Rectangular coordinate system

1.4.1 Cartesian Coordinates
In order to describe a vector accurately, some specific lengths, directions, angles,
projections, or components must be given. There are three simple methods to
represent these properties and these are the rectangular, spherical and
cylindrical coordinate systems. In this section we will discuss the rectangular
coordinates.
In rectangular coordinates, three axes are mutually perpendicular to each other
respectively x, y and z.

Figure 2.a Three dimensional rectangular coordinate system

Figure 2.b P(1,2,3) and Q(2,-2,1) Plotted on the rectangular coordinates

It is customary to choose a right-handed coordinate system, in which a rotation of

the x-axis in y-axis would cause a right-handed screw to progress in the direction of
the z-axis. If the right hand is used, the middle finger, fore finger and thumb may be
identified as x, y, and z axes, respectively.
1.4.2 Vector Components
A logical way to represent a vector in three-dimension is to identify its three
component vectors, lying along the three coordinate axes, whose vector sum must
be the given vector. r = x + y + z

Figure 3. Vector
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projected on a coordinate axes

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Each component vector have magnitude that depends on the given vector.
However, they also have known and constant direction and is always directed along
its corresponding axis, this is not always the case. To obtain the real direction of the
original vector we must use unit vectors. A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude
r
is unity or one. If r is a vector, with magnitude not equal to zero, then r is the
unit vector having the same direction of

r . Any unit vector can be represented as

a . In this case:
ar =

r
r

Thus,

a x , a y a z

are the unit vectors in the Cartesian coordinate system. They

are directed along the x, y and z axes, respectively.

Figure 4. Unit vectors in the Cartesian coordinate system

If the component vector

happens to be two units in magnitude and directed

toward increasing values of y, we should then write y =2 a y . Any vector B may

then be describe as

x + B y a y + B z a z . The magnitude of
B=B
xa

is given by:

B
B
B
2
( y ) +( z )2
( x)2 +

|B|=
Therefore, the unit vector in the direction of B is found as:

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

B
B
B
2
( x) +( y)2 +( z )2

B a +B a + B a
aB = x x y y z z

Example 1.2
Given the figure below, (a) express

P
mathematically using the vector

components and unit vector as variable, (b) determine the magnitude of

and (c) the unit vector.

1.5. Vector Algebra

The operation of addition, subtraction and multiplication familiar in the algebra of
number of scalars are, with suitable definition, capable of extension to an algebra of
vectors.
1.5.1 Fundamentals of vector algebra
a) Two vectors

and

are equal if they have the same magnitude

and direction regardless of the position of their initial points. Thus

B .
A=
b) A vector having direction opposite to that of vector

same magnitude is denoted by - A .

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A but having the

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Figure 5. Fundamentals of vectors

c) The sum or resultant of vector of A and B is a vector C formed by

placing the initial point of B on the terminal point of A and then

joining the initial point of A to the terminal point of B . The sum is

written A + B=C . This is also known as the Parallelogram law.
Extensions to sums of more than two vectors are immediate.

Figure 6. Vector addition

d)

The difference of vectors A and B , represented by A - B , is

that vector C which added B yields vector A . Equivalently,

B
A
can defined as the sum A +(B) .

by scalar m is a vector m A with

magnitude |m| times the magnitude of A and the direction the

same as or opposite to that of A , according as m is positive or

negative. If m=0, m A is the null vector.

e) The product of a vector

1.5.2 Laws of vector algebra

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

If

A , B

and

are vectors and m and n are scalars, then

1.

B+
A

A + B=

Commutative Law for Addition

2.

C )=( A+
B ) + C
A + ( B+

Associative Law for addition

3. m A

A m

multiplication

4. m(n A )=(mn) A

5. (m+n) A = m A +m B

6. m( A + B =m A + m B

Commutative Law for

Associative Law for Multiplication
Distributive Law
Distributive Law

Example 1.3
1. Show that addition of vector is commutative.

2. Show that addition of vector is associative.

3. An automobile travels 3 miles due north, then 5 miles northeast. Represent

the displacement graphically and analytically.
4. Forces F1, F2, ., F6 acts on object P as shown. Show, graphically, the
Vector that will prevent P from moving.

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

5. Given

A=3
ax 2 a y + a z

, B=2 a x 4 ay 3 az

and

C=
a x +2 a y +2 a z

Find the magnitudes of:

a) A
b)

C
A + B+

c) 2 A3 B5 C

Drill Problems 1.1

1. Given the vector

=10 a x + 6 a y 2 a z
M

and

N=8
ax +3 a y 2 az , find:

a) a unit vector in the direction of - M + 2 N

b) the magnitude of 5 a x + N3 M

c) | M 2 N |( M + N
2. Given three points, A(4,3,2), B(-2,0,5), and C(7,-2,1):

a) specify the vector A extending from the origin to point A

b) give the unit vector extending from the origin toward the midpoint of line
AB
c) calculate the length of the perimeter of triangle ABC
3. The vector from the origin to point A is given as 6 a x 2 ay 4 a z ,
and the unit vector directed from the origin toward point B is (2/3,-2,3,1/3).
If points A and B are 10 units apart, find the coordinate of point B

4. Given A=3 ax a y 4 a z , B=2 ax + 4 ay 3 az and C=a x + 2 a y a z

Find:

a) 2 A B+3 C

b) A + B+ C |

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

c) |3 A2 B+4 C

d) a unit vector parallel to 2 A B+3 C

5. The following forces acts on a particle P:
F 2=5 ax + ay +3 a z , F 3=ax 2 a y + 4 a z

and

F 1=2 ax + 3 ay 5 a z ,
F 3=4 ax 3 a y 2a z

a) Find the resultant of the forces

b) Magnitude of the resultant
c) unit vector of the resultant

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