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  4. C.5 Vectors
Topic 15Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches

C.5 VectorsHL

HL only. Vectors as directed quantities — position vectors anchored at the origin, displacement vectors free to translate, base vectors i, j, k. Magnitude formula |v| = √(x² + y² + z²) (Pythagoras in 3D). Vector arithmetic (sums, differences, scalar multiples) component-wise. Midpoint formula m = (a + b)/2 and applications to collinearity proofs. Subsequent lessons cover scalar product, vector equation of a line, cross product and planes, and intersections of lines/planes.

Practice questions
1

Vectors — position, displacement, magnitude, base vectorsHLSign up

Vectors as directed quantities — position vs displacement, base vectors · Vector arithmetic and magnitudes

35 min
2

Scalar (dot) productHLSign up

Definition: a · b = |a| |b| cos θ · Angle between vectors; perpendicular and parallel detection

35 min
3

Vector equation of a lineHLSign up

Vector form r = a + λb; convert to Cartesian · Constant-velocity kinematics; angle between two lines

35 min
4

Cross product and planesHLSign up

Coincident, parallel, intersecting, skew lines · Cross product a × b · Vector and Cartesian equations of a plane

40 min
5

Intersections of lines and planesHLSign up

Line-plane and plane-plane intersections · Angles between planes; distance from point to plane

35 min

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C.4 Reciprocal/Inverse Trig and Compound Angles

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D.1 Sampling and Data Presentation