Vectors and scalars, column vector notation, adding, subtracting and multiplying by a scalar, the triangle and parallelogram laws, and parallel vectors.
5 narrated scenes. Press play, listen and read along — the points appear as they are explained. Use ‹ Prev / Next › or the scene bar to jump to any scene.
A plane flies 300 km/h north-east into a westerly wind. Speed alone is not enough — you need direction too. That is a vector.
Narration uses your device’s built-in voice. No sound? Switch to “Captions only” — the captions advance on their own.
Change the components and see a + b.
Copy these into your notebook in your own words — that is how they stick.
Vector: magnitude + direction. Scalar: magnitude only.
AB (arrow), a (bold or underlined), column form xy.
|a| = √(x² + y²).
Equal: same magnitude and direction. −a reverses direction. ka is parallel to a.
Add, subtract and multiply by a scalar component by component.
AB + BC = AC. AB = OB − OA = b − a.
If OACB is a parallelogram with OA = a and OB = b, then OC = a + b.
If AB = k BC then A, B, C are on a straight line.
3 quick games on this lesson. Earn XP and badges as you play — your best score for each game is saved. Games are for practice and do not change your exam readiness. More games in the Mathematics Arcade.
8 items modelled on real CSEC Paper 1 questions. Choose one answer for each, then check. Aim for 80% or better. Work each item on paper first.
Write full answers, then reveal the mark scheme and tick the points you earned (16 marks in total). Show all your working — method marks count. Your answers are saved on this device.
Question 1 [7 marks]
p = 4-3 and q = -12.
(a) Write p + q as a column vector. [1]
(b) Express 2p − 3q as a column vector. [2]
(c) Calculate |p|. [2]
(d) Write down a vector which is parallel to p and has magnitude 10. [2]
Question 2 [9 marks]
In triangle OAB, OA = a and OB = b. M is the midpoint of AB. N is the point on OB such that ON = ⅔ OB.
(a) Express AB in terms of a and b. [1]
(b) Express OM in terms of a and b, giving your answer in its simplest form. [3]
(c) Express AN in terms of a and b. [2]
(d) Show that MN = ⅙b − ½a. [3]
Find these in your own past-paper booklets for extra timed practice. Items above are written in the style of these papers; any adapted from a specific question say so.