Position vectors can be expressed in different forms. If using a coordinate plane, a position vector can describe the location of a point with respect to the origin (coordinates 0, 0).
Finding The Position Vector [Click Here for Sample Questions] Now, before learning how to find a position vector, let’s cover up some basics. Let’s imagine that we have given two vectors, A and B and their position vectors are (2, 4) and (3, 5) respectively.
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Revise using vector components to add and subtract vectors and work with position vectors as part of National 5 Maths.
The position vector is a straight line having one end fixed to a body and the other end attached to a moving point and is used to describe the position of the point relative to the body. As the point moves, the position vector will change in length or in direction or in both length and direction.
In the cartesian coordinate system, if O is the origin and P (x 1, y 1) is another point, then the position vector that is being directed from the point O to the point P can be represented as OP.
A position vector is defined as a vector that indicates either the position or the location of any given point with respect to any arbitrary reference point like the origin. Whereas, the displacement vector helps us to find the change in the position vector of a given object.
The formula to determine the position vector from A to B is AB = (x k+1 - x k, y k+1 - y k ).
Position vector is used to help us find the location of one object relative to another object. Position vectors usually start at the origin and then terminate at any other arbitrary point. Thus, these vectors are used to determine the position of a particular point with reference to its origin.
In the above diagram, the position vector of the particle when it is at point P is the vector OP and when it is at point Q, it is OQ.
The formula to determine the position vector from A to B is AB = (x k+1 - x k, y k+1 - y k ).