Mathematics

Geometry Revision Notes for

Higher Tier
Thomas Whitham Sixth Form
S J Cooper

Pythagoras’ Theorem
Right-angled trigonometry
Trigonometry for the general triangle
Area & Perimeter
Volume of Prisms, Pyramids & Spheres
Surface Area
Similar shapes and ratios
Angles
Vectors
 1. Pythagoras Theorem

Using Pythagoras’ Theorem

If it is a calculator paper there is no need for this
c  5  12
2 2 2
line as the above can be typed into the calculator.
 25  144
 169
c  169  13cm

Using Pythagoras’ Theorem Here we have a difference of the squares as we are

finding one of the smaller sides.
y 2  14 2  10 2
 96
y  96  9.80cm

1 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Remember to square and add when finding the hypotenuse.
Square and subtract when finding one of the smaller sides.

Using Pythagoras’ Theorem

PQ 2  15 2  212
 666
PQ  666  25.81m

x 2  1.2 2  3 2
 10.44
x  3.23m

2 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example

y
5

4
B
3

A 1

–1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 x
–1

Find the exact length of AB

X distance from A to B = 6
Y distance from A to B = 2

AB 2  2 2  6 2
 4  36
 40
AB  40  2 10

2. The right angled triangle

Learn to identify by name the sides of a triangle in relation to a given angle.

First The hypotenuse (faces the

Hypotenuse
Opposite right angle always).
Next The side Opposite to your angle
A
Then The Adjacent side (the last side)
Adjacent

3 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 3. The three trig ratios
Learn the following mnemonic:

Which enables you to write down TOA / SOH / CAH Leading to the three trig ratios:

Opposite Opposite Adjacent

tan A  sin A  cos A 
Adjacent Hypotenuse Hypotenuse

4. To calculate a given angle in a right angled triangle

Example C
Calculate the size of angle A in the
triangle ABC.
5 cm

A B
8 cm
Solution
Firstly identify the sides AC is the hypotenuse
BC Opposite angle A
AB is Adjacent to A.
Opposite
Hence we require the Tan ratio i.e. tan A 
Adjacent
5
tan A 
8 On our calculators we work out 5  8. Then press
A  32.0 1
“inverse tan” i.e. tan . Which is usually shift and tan
buttons.

Example Calculate the size of angle A in the triangle ABC below

C
Solution
4 cm
Labelling the sides we are given the Hypotenuse
and the Opposite.
A 6 cm B So we use the Sine ratio

4 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 4
sin A 
6
A  41.8  On our calculators we work out 4  6. Then press “inverse sin”
1
i.e. sin . Which is usually shift and sin buttons.

5. To calculate the length of a given side in a right angled triangle

Example
Q R
Calculate the length of PQ in the triangle PQR

52 cm
Solution
32°
PR is the Hypotenuse (= 52)
P
QR is the opposite (Not required)
PQ is the Adjacent (to be found)
Adjacent
 cos A 
Hypotenuse
PQ
cos 32 
52
52  cos 32  PQ
PQ  44.1cm Here use our algebra skills and rearrange the equation above
by multiplying both sides by 52.

Example
Calculate the length of XY in the triangle XYZ.
X

41° Y

4.6 cm
Z
Solution
As we require XY (the hypotenuse) and are given 4.6cm (the adjacent) we must use the cosine
ratio.
Adjacent
 cos A 
Hypotenuse

5 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 4.6
cos 41 
XY
XY  cos 41  4.6
4.6 Here use our algebra skills and rearrange the equation above
XY 
cos 41 by multiplying both sides by XY. And then divide both sides by
XY  6.1cm cos 41.

6. The isosceles triangle –divides into two identical right angled triangles
Example
P P

8cm 8cm 8cm 8cm

Q R Q R
6 cm 3 cm 3 cm

Example

70° 70° 4 cm
8 cm

4 cm
70° 70°

Example

24°
48° 24°

6 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example
To calculate the size of the angle PQR in the a foregoing triangle PQR
P

Solution
Concentrate on one right angled triangle 8cm 8cm
Here we know the hypotenuse and adjacent
3
cos Q 
 8
Q  68.0  Q R
3 cm 3 cm

Example Find the length of AB in the triangle below

A
5 cm

C 48°

5 cm
B
A
5 cm
Solution x
Start by finding the length x in the 24°
C
Right angled triangle formed
Here we are given the hypotenuse and want 5 cm

to find the opposite, therefore B

x
sin 24 
5
5  sin 24  x
x  2.03368
 BC = 2  2.03368  4.1 cm to 1 dp

7 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 7. Angles of Elevation and depression –are always measured from the horizontal level.

Angle of elevation of the top of a

lighthouse L from a point P

Horizontal Ground

(imaginary) Horizontal line T

Angle of depression of a Buoy P at

sea from the top T of a cliff
B

8. The general Triangle

Notice

Side a is opposite angle A

Side b is opposite angle B

Side c is opposite angle C

9. The Sine rule

Learn the following rule:

a b c
 
sin A sin B sin C

8 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 10. To calculate the length of a given side in a general triangle

Example

Find c in the triangle below

𝑐 7
=
sin 50 sin 60

7
𝑐= × sin 50
sin 60

𝑐 = 6.19cm

Example

Find a in the triangle below

𝑎 8
=
sin 27 sin 110

8
𝑎= × sin 27
sin 110

𝑎 = 3.87cm

9 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example

Find x in the triangle below

First we need to work out the angle

opposite the 10.6cm. Using angles
in a triangle.

 Angle = 86

𝑥 10.6
=
sin 40 sin 86

10.6
𝑥= × sin 40
sin 86
𝑥 = 6.83cm

11. To calculate the size of a given angle in a general triangle

Example

Find the size of angle B in the triangle below

Here we use the sine rule writing it upside down!

An additional twist – we must first find angle C, as we don’t know the length opposite angle B.

sin 𝐶 sin 120

=
6 15
sin 120
sin 𝐶 = ×6
15

sin 𝐶 = 0.346..

𝐶 = 20.3°

10 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example

In triangle ABC, AC = 3cm, angle B = 40 and angle A = 65. Find the length BC.

Firstly draw a sketch!

65 40
A B

𝐵𝐶 3
=
sin 65 sin 40
3
𝐵𝐶 = × sin 65
sin 40

𝐵𝐶 = 4.23cm

12. The Cosine rule

a 2  b2  c 2  2bc cos A

b 2  a 2  c 2  2ac cos B
c 2  a 2  b 2  2ab cos C

13. To calculate the length of a given side in a general triangle

Example

Find the length b in the triangle below

11 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Using the cosine rule:

𝑏 2 = 52 + 82 − 2 × 5 × 8 × cos 112
which can be typed into the calculator in one go!
𝑏 2 = 118.968

𝑏 = 10.91cm

Example

Find the length x in the triangle below

𝑥 2 = 10 + 92 − 2 × 10 × 9 × cos 64

𝑥 2 = 102.093

𝑥 = 10.1cm

Example

Find the length y in the triangle below

𝑦 2 = 12.32 + 7.52 − 2 × 12.3 × 7.5 × cos 48

𝑦 2 = 84.085

𝑦 = 9.17cm

12 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 14. To calculate the size of an angle when the given the lengths of all three sides of a triangle

Example Find angle C

Here we could use the cosine rule and rearrange to find Angle C.

𝑏 2 +𝑐 2 −𝑎 2
Or use the rearranged cosine rule which is cos 𝐴 = 2𝑏𝑐

62 = 72 + 52 − 2 × 7 × 5 × cos 𝐴

36 = 74 − 70 cos 𝐴

70 cos 𝐴 = 38

38
cos 𝐴 =
70
𝐴 = 57.1°

Example Find angle P

Using the rearranged formula

112 + 82 − 62
cos 𝑃 =
2 × 11 × 8
149
cos 𝑃 =
176
𝑃 = 32.2°

13 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 15. The area of a triangle

1
Area  ab sin C
2

Example

Find the area of triangle ABC

1
Area = 2 × 8 × 6 × sin 114

= 21.9cm2

Example

(i) Find the length AB

(ii) Hence find the area of the triangle.

14 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 (i) Using the Sine rule we can find AB

𝐴𝐵 5
=
sin 72 sin 63
5
𝐴𝐵 = × sin 72
sin 63
𝐴𝐵 = 5.34cm
1
(ii) Area = 2 × 5 × 5.34 × sin 45

= 9.43cm2

Example

Find the area of triangle PQR

Using the cosine rule –find an angle inside the triangle

92 = 62 + 42 − 2 × 6 × 4 × cos 𝑃

81 = 52 − 48 cos 𝑃

48 cos 𝑃 = −29
29
cos 𝑃 = − 48

𝑃 = 127.2°

1
Area = 2 × 6 × 4 × sin 127.2

= 9.56cm2

15 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 16. 2D and 3D applications
Example
From a point A at the top of a cliff 50m high the angle of elevation to a balloon, B is 43°. Given
that its horizontal distance from the cliffs edge is 75m, find the height of the balloon above
sea level, giving your answer correct to 2 decimal places.

43°
A
Using the right
angled triangle
given 50m

75m

x
tan 43 
75
x
75  tan 43  x
x  69.94
43°
75m

 height = 69.94 + 50 = 119.94 m

16 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example
The diagram below shows part of a sea barrier whose constant cross-section is a right-angled
triangle.
The top DC represents a road and the beach starts at the line AB.
The line joining B to D represents one of two paths to the beach, the other being a steeper
climb DA. Angles DEA and CFB are 90° each.

F
3m

E B
10m
4m
A

Find
a) The length of each path
b) The angle of inclination of each path to the horizontal ABFE

Solution Firstly taking from the 3D diagram the right angled

(i) triangle ADE we can find the length DA

Using Pythagoras
D
DA2  3 2  4 2
3m  25
DA  5m
E 4m A
Using the previous result and the right angled triangle
taken from the rectangle ABCD we can find the length
of the 2nd path.
D

5m
DB 2  5 2  10 2
 125
A 10m B
DA  11.18m

17 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 (ii) Using the triangles on the previous page we can find the angle of inclination using right
angled trigonometry.
3 5
tan A  tan B 
4 10
A  36.87  B  26.57 

Hence the angle of inclination for path AD = 36.87°, and for path DB = 26.57°

Example
On a radar two planes A and B can be seen on bearings 075° and 154°, respectively and at
distances 15km and 7km from the control tower.

Find the distance between the two planes.

N

15km

75

79

7km

18 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Using the cosine rule

AB 2  15 2  7 2  2  15  7  cos 79
 233.93
AB  15.29km

17. Area & Perimeter

(i) The Circle


C  D or C  2r Arc length l  D 
360
Perimeter of a circle is called the circumference.
Example
Work out the circumference of the circle below

C  D
   10
 10  31.4cm

Example

What is the length of fencing required to enclose a semi-circular field with diameter
80m. Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.

19 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 1
Circumference = D 
2

1
   80 
2
 125.6

 Perimeter = 126.6 + 80 = 205.6 m

Example
What is the length of an arc of a circle of radius 42cm with an angle of 68:?

66
Arc length = D 
360

66
   84 
360
 48.38cm


A  r 2 A  r 2 
360

Example
Find the area of a circle which has radius 5cm.
A    52
 25  78.54cm

20 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example
Find the area of the shaded sector below, giving your answer correct to 1 decimal place.

7 cm

135:

7 cm

Solution
135
Area    7 2 
360
 57.7cm 2

Example
The area of a circle is given as 205 m2. What is its diameter?

A  r 2
205  r 2
205
 r2

205
r  8.077

D  16.16m

21 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 (ii) Irregular shapes

Example

Find the area and perimeter of the shape drawn below

Here we have a quarter of a circle on top of a rectangle. The difference between 14

and 20 gives the radius as 6cm, and therefore the width is 6cm.
Area of rectangle = 6 x 14 = 84
1
Area of quarter circle =    6 2  28.27
4
 Area of shape = 84 + 28.27 = 112.27 cm2

22 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example
Calculate the shaded region in the shape below

Area of rectangle = 25 x 25 = 625

Area of Circle =   6.5 2  132.73

 Area shaded = 625 – 132.73 = 492.27 m2

18. Volume
(i) Prisms

Cube Cuboid Cylinder Triangular-based

Volume = Base Area x length

23 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

Example
Which cylinder has the greatest volume?

Cylinder A Base Area =   2.52  19.63

 Volume = 19.63 × 9 = 176.7cm3

Cylinder B Base Area =   4.52  63.61

 Volume = 63.61 × 2.5 = 159.04cm3

 Cylinder A has the greater volume.

Example

Find the volume of the solid below, giving your answers in (a) cm3 (b) litres

Base Area =
1
9  5  6  42 1000 cm3 = 1 litre
2

 Volume = 42 × 7 = 294m3
 Volume = 294 000 000 cm3 = 294 000 litres

24 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 (ii) Pyramids

Cone Square-based Tetrahedron

1
Volume = x Base Area x height
3

Example

Find the volume for each of the following pyramids

(i)

Base Area =   2.5  19.63

2

1
 Volume =  19.63  8  52.36cm 3
3

25 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

(ii)

Base Area = 3  3  9

6cm 1
 Volume =  9  6  18cm 3
3

3cm

3cm

Example

A teal plug is machined into the shape of a truncated cone, with end radii of 1.5cm and 2.4cm.

Find the volume of the plug

Small Cone Base Area =   1.5 2  7.068

1
 Volume =  7.068  4.5  10.6028
3

Larger Cone Base Area =   2.4 2  18.095

1
 Volume =  18.0955  8  48.254
3

 Volume of plug = 48.254 − 10.6028 = 37.65cm3

26 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 (iii) Spheres

4 3
Volume = r
3

Example
Find the volume of the basket ball whose radius is 11.9 cm

4
Volume =    11.9 3  7058.78cm 3
3

Example
The diagram below is of a bowl which consists of a hemi-sphere of diameter 20cm
with a smaller hemi-sphere, of radius 9cm, cut out. Find the volume of the bowl.

2
Volume of smaller hemi-sphere =    9 3  1526.81
3
2
Volume of smaller hemi-sphere =    10 3  2094.43
3
 Volume of bowl = 2094.43 − 1526.81 = 567.58cm3

27 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 19. Surface Area

Surface Area  4r 2

As for the other solids the surface area is found by finding individual face areas and adding
them together.

Example
Find the Surface area for each of the following solids
(i)
Curved section unwrapped would represent a
rectangle with height 7cm and width equal to
the circumference of the circle.
7cm

Hence cylinder consists of three

regular shapes a rectangle and two
20cm
circles.

Base Area =   10  314.159

2

Circumference =   20  62.8318

Area of rectangle = 62.8318 × 7 = 439.82

Surface area = 439.82 + 2 × 314.159 = 1068.14cm2

(ii)

5cm
5cm

4cm
6 cm

28 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Here we have an A* question as we need to use our trigonometry first.
We have two faces of these dimensions

First find this angle.

5cm 5cm To find this angle we could use either the

cosine rule or right angled trig.

4cm

Using right angled trig

2
cos A 
5
A  66.4

1
Hence its area =  4  5  sin 66.4  9.165
2
And we have two faces of these dimensions

Likewise with this.

5cm 5cm To find this angle we could use either the

cosine rule or right angled trig.

6cm

Using right angled trig

3
cos A 
5
A  53.13

1
Hence its area =  6  5  sin 53.13  12
2
Area of rectangular base = 4 × 6 = 24
 Surface Area = 24 + 2 × 12 + 2 × 9.165 = 66.33cm2

29 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 20. Ratios: Length, Area & Volume

In General

Given

Length scale factor = a:b

Then

Area scale factor = a2 : b2

Volume scale factor = a3 : b3

Example
Two similar cylindrical tins have base radii of 6 cm and 8 cm respectively. If the capacity of the
large tin is 512 cm3, find the capacity of the small tin.

Solution
Here length ratio = 6 : 8 = 3 : 4
Hence volume ratio = 33 : 43 = 27 : 64
27
Capacity of the smaller tin = 512   216 cm3
64

Example
Two solid spheres have surface areas of 5cm2 and 45 cm2 respectively and the mass of the
smaller sphere is 1½ kg. Find the mass of the larger sphere.

Here Area ratio = 5 : 45 = 1 : 9

 Length ratio = 1 ∶ 9=1∶3
 Volume ratio = 13 : 33 = 1 : 27
27
Mass of the larger sphere = 1 12   40.5 kg
1

30 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 21. Angles

Example work out the missing angles for each of the following diagrams
(i)
Solution
90 + 27 = 117
𝑎 = 180 − 117
a 𝑎 = 63
27

(ii) Solution
82 + 64 + 87 = 233
64 𝑎 = 360 − 233
82 𝑎 = 127
87
b

Solution
(iii)
𝑑 = 132
132
c e 𝑐 = 180 − 132 = 48
d 𝑎 = 48

31 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 (iv) 107
Solution
e 𝑒 = 107 (opposite angles)
𝑔 = 107 (corresponding angles)
g f 𝑓 = 180 − 107 = 73 (straight line)

(v)
Solution
k m 𝑖 = 180 − 39 = 141 (straight line)
𝑘 = 141 (Alternate angles)
39 i
𝑚 = 180 − 141 = 39 (straight line)

Angles subtended from the same arc are equal.

The angle subtended at the centre from an arc is

double the angle at the circumference.

b = 2a

The largest angle in a semi-circle will always be

90 and is positioned on the circumference.

32 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Definition: A tangent is a line that will touch the circle at
one point only. (i.e. it does not cut the circle)

The angle between a tangent an its radius will always

be 90

Definition: A cyclic quadrilateral is any four-sided polygon

whose four corners touch the circumference of the circle.

Opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral add up to 180

a + c = 180 and b + d = 180

Definition: A chord is any straight line which touches

the circumference at two points. The largest chord
possible is called the diameter.

The angle between a tangent a chord is equal to the

angle in the alternate segment.

Example
Work out the lettered angles for each of the following diagrams
(i)

This angle same as a. (same arc)

Also added to b = 90° (semi circle)

Angles in a triangle add up to 180

 this angle = 180 – 26 – 63 = 91

Solution

𝑏 = 63 (tangent & Chord –alternate segment)

𝑎 = 90 − 63 = 27 (angles from same arc & angles in semi circle)

33 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

𝑐 = 180 − 91 = 89 (straight line)

(ii)

Angles in a triangle add up to 180

 this angle = 180 – 24 – 105 = 51

Solution

𝑕 = 105 (angles subtended from same arc)

𝑖 = 51 (opposite angles)

(iii)

This angle = 360 – 230 = 130

Solution

𝑦 = 65 (angle subtended from same arc and at centre)

(iv)

This angle = 180 – 135 = 45

(angles on a straight line)

34 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Solution

𝑎 = 90 (angles in a semi circle)

𝑏 = 180 − 90 − 45 = 45 (angles in a triangle)

(v)

Solution

𝑥 = 180 − 114 = 66 (angles on a straight line)

𝑔 = 180 − 66 = 114 (angles in a cyclic quadrilateral)

𝑕 = 180 − 121 = 59 (angles on a straight line)

𝑓 = 59 (angles in a cyclic quadrilateral)

22. Transformations
Any object can undergo a transformation when it is subject to a translation, a reflection in a
given line, rotated by a given angle about a given point or enlargement by a given scale factor
about a given point.
The transformed object is known as the image of the original object.
i. Reflections
If the point P is reflected in a given mirror line then its image is usually denoted by P’
The point P lies on the other side of the mirror line such that the mirror line becomes
the perpendicular bisector of PP’

Here P’ is the image of P reflected at 90° to

the mirror line.

35 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example
Given triangle ABC with A(1, 5) , B(4, 5) and C(2, 3), obtain the image of ABC under the
following transformations
a) Reflection in the y-axis
b) Reflection in the line 𝑥 = 1
c) Reflection in the line 𝑦 = −𝑥
a) y
B A A B
5

4
Reflect each point
3 Plot the points AB
A, B & C C C
& C to form
individually across
2 triangle ABC
the mirror line to
form the image 1

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
-1

-2 Use the y axis as a

mirror line so
-3 reflect across

-4

-5
b) y
B A B
5

Plot the points AB

C3 C
& C to form
Reflect each point 2 triangle ABC
A, B & C
1
individually across
the mirror line to
form the image -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
-1

-2

-3 Draw in the mirror

line x = 1
-4

-5

36 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 c) y
A B
5

3 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
A -1

C -2
Reflect each point
A, B & C -3 Draw in the mirror
individually
line 𝑦 = −𝑥
diagonally across -4
B
the mirror line to
form the image -5

Example

Describe the transformation that has taken place below.

y
10

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x
-1

37 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Here we can see a reflection in a horizontal line drawn at 𝑦 = 4.

ii. Rotations
A rotation is specified by the angle of rotation, its direction and its centre.
Example
Triangle ABC has points A(2, 4) B(6, 4) and C(6, 7). Obtain the image of ABC after a
rotation of
a) 90° clockwise about the origin Any rotation is easily done using tracing paper.
b) 180° about the point (1, 3) {make sure the object and centre are traced
and with a pencil placed on the centre rotate
the tracing paper the desired angle.
a) y
C

Plot points 6
A, B & C and
join up

4
A B

-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x

A
-2
Place tracing paper over the grid.
Trace the triangle ABC.
Place the pencil on the origin and rotate
-4
the tracing paper 90 clockwise.
Finally mark the new points of A, B & C

-6
B C

38 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 y
b) C

Place on the
centre of rotation 4
A B

B A
2

-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x

-2
Place tracing paper over the grid.
Trace the triangle ABC.
Place the pencil on the coordinate (1, 3)
-4
and rotate the tracing paper 180.
Finally mark the new points of A, B & C

-6

iii. Enlargements
Any enlargement is specified by a given scale factor and centre of enlargement.
Marks are given for projection lines shown (otherwise known as rays)

39 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example
Enlarge rectangle ABCD by a scale factor 3 centre (1, 2)
y
10

Draw in the ray lines 6

and from the centre
mark 3 times the 5
original distance up!
4

3
Place on the centre of
enlargement 2

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 x
-1

That is distance to ray line is 2

units here. Multiplied by 3
means distance now must be 6
units away from centre.

40 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example
In the diagram below state the scale factor and centre for the enlargement of A onto
B.
y

2 A

-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x

-2

B -4

-6

Here we can clearly see the enlargement is scale factor 2.

As for the centre we must draw on the ray lines which should all meet at one point!

Here you can see the

centre as (5, 7) where all
the ray lines meet.

Hence Enlargement centre (5, 7) with scale factor 2.

41 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 iv. Translations
If every point on an Object is moved the same distance in the same direction, the
transformation is called a translation.
Each translation is described as a movement in the x direction followed by a
movement in the y direction.
Movements → and ↑ are classed as positive movements in the x and y directions
respectively.
Whilst movements ← and ↓ are classed as negative movements in the x and y
directions respectively.
 x
A vector notation for the translation is given as a column vector  
 y
Example
Describe the transformation which moves object A onto
a) B y
b) C 5

3 B
2

-5 -4 A-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
-1

-2 C
-3

-4

-5

5
a) A onto B represents a translation of  
 3

 6 
b) A onto C represents a translation of  
  2

42 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 Example

Given triangle ABC with A(-1, 3) B(2, 3) and C(2, 7), draw the image of ABC under the
  4
translation  
  5
y
C

6 Plot points and draw

the triangle ABC

A B
C
2

-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x
Move each of the points 4 places back (-4)
and 5 places down (-5)
B -2
A

-4

-6

43 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 23. Vectors

Definition:

A vector quantity is one which has both magnitude and direction

One of the simplest vectors is displacement.. It has an associated distance (magnitude) and
direction.
For example if we have two points A and B then “displacement
AB” is a vector quantity. It can be conveniently represented by a
straight line joining A and B, and the direction indicated by an
arrow.

For the “vector AB” we write either AB or AB or in text

books AB
Example
a) Find an expression for AB in the diagram below.
b) Hence find the midpoint of the line AB

a) The vector AB can be found as it is equivalent to the path “A to 0 followed by 0 to B”

That is AB  A0  0B

Furthermore if 0 A  a then A0  a

AB  A0  0 B
 a  b

Important result

AB  b  a
44 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form
 b) For the midpoint we vandalise the diagram by placing M (the midpoint) on and looking for an
alternative route.

0M is the position of M from

the origin
OM  0 A  AM
 a  12 AB
 a  12 b  a 
 a  12 b  12 a
 12 a  12 b
 1
2
a  b 

a) AB  b  a

45 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 b) OQ  3b

c) AP  a

d) PO  2a

e) PQ  3b  2a

f) PN  1
2
3b  2a   23 b  a
g) ON  2a  23 b  a  a  23 b

h) AN  AP  PN  a  23 b  a  23 b

Example

ABCDEF is a regular hexagon with centre 0 where 0 A  a and 0 B  b

a) Find expressions for AB EC CF

b) The positions of points K and L are given by the vectors

0K  b  2a 0L  a  2b

Find expressions for BK KL AL

c) What name is given to the quadrilateral ABKL?

a) AB  b  a

46 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form

 EC  ED  DC
bab
 2b  a

CF  2 BA
 2a  b 

Here we are using the fact that in a regular hexagon

AB is the same as ED, DC is the same as 0B and so on.

b) To answer this next part first place K and L roughly onto your sketch!

The improved sketch shows which quadrilateral we have but we must prove that it is a
trapezium.

KL  K 0  0 L
BK  B0  0 K AL  A0  0 L
 b  2a  a  2b
 b  b  2a  a  a  2b
 3a  3b
 2a  2b
 3a  b 

KL  3a  b  3 AB
 AB and KL are parallel. The same is not true for the other two sides in the quadrilateral.
Hence ABKL is a trapezium.

47 Thomas Whitham Sixth Form