Elementary Calculus: Vector Sums

The sum A + B of vectors A and B is defined as follows. Let

represent A and let QR represent B. Then A + B is the vector represented by

. More briefly, if A is the vector from P to Q and B is the vector from Q to R, then A + B is the vector from P to R. Figure 10.1.6 shows two ways of drawing the sum A + B.

If an object in the plane originally has the position vector P and is moved by a displacement vector D, its new position vector will be the vector sum P + D. If an object is moved twice, first by a displacement vector D and then by a displacement vector E, the total displacement vector is the sum D + E.

If two forces F and G are acting simultaneously on an object, their combined effect is the vector sum F + G (Figure 10.1.7). The combined effect of three or more forces acting on an object is also the vector sum, e.g., (F + G) + H. Newton's first law of motion states that if an object is at rest, the vector sum of all forces acting on the object is the zero vector.

In economics, if a trader initially has a commodity vector A and buys a commodity vector B (i.e., he buys a quantity b₁ of commodity one and b₂ of commodity two), his new commodity vector will be the vector sum A + B.

The vector sum is also useful in discussing an exchange between two or more traders. Suppose traders A and B initially have commodity vectors A₁ and B₁. After exchanging goods, they have new commodity vectors A₂ and B₂. Since the total amount of each good remains unchanged, we see that A₁ + B₁ = A₂ + B₂.

THEOREM 1

Let A, B, ami C be vectors.

(i) Identity Law A + 0 = 0 + A = A.

(ii) Commutative Law A + B = B + A.

(iii) Associative Law (A + B) + C = A + (B + C).

(iv) Triangle Inequality |A + B| ≤ |A| + |B|.

We shall skip the proofs, which use the corresponding laws for real numbers. The Commutative and Associative Laws are illustrated by Figure 10.1.8.

The Triangle Inequality says that the length of one side of a triangle is at most the sum of the lengths of the other two sides. This is because the vectors A, B, and A + B are represented by sides of a triangle. The proof of the Triangle Inequality is left as a problem (with a hint). It is illustrated in Figure 10.1.9.

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Vector Sums - Theorem 1 The sum A + B of vectors A and B is defined as follows. Let represent A and let QR represent B. Then A + B is the vector represented by . More briefly, if A is the vector from P to Q and B is the vector from Q to R, then A + B is the vector from P to R. Figure 10.1.6 shows two ways of drawing the sum A + B. Figure 10.1.6 Sum of Two Vectors If an object in the plane originally has the position vector P and is moved by a displacement vector D, its new position vector will be the vector sum P + D. If an object is moved twice, first by a displacement vector D and then by a displacement vector E, the total displacement vector is the sum D + E. If two forces F and G are acting simultaneously on an object, their combined effect is the vector sum F + G (Figure 10.1.7). The combined effect of three or more forces acting on an object is also the vector sum, e.g., (F + G) + H. Newton's first law of motion states that if an object is at rest, the vector sum of all forces acting on the object is the zero vector. Figure 10.1.7 In economics, if a trader initially has a commodity vector A and buys a commodity vector B (i.e., he buys a quantity b₁ of commodity one and b₂ of commodity two), his new commodity vector will be the vector sum A + B. The vector sum is also useful in discussing an exchange between two or more traders. Suppose traders A and B initially have commodity vectors A₁ and B₁. After exchanging goods, they have new commodity vectors A₂ and B₂. Since the total amount of each good remains unchanged, we see that A₁ + B₁ = A₂ + B₂. Vector sums obey rules similar to the rules for sums of real numbers. THEOREM 1 Let A, B, ami C be vectors. (i) Identity Law A + 0 = 0 + A = A. (ii) Commutative Law A + B = B + A. (iii) Associative Law (A + B) + C = A + (B + C). (iv) Triangle Inequality \|A + B\| ≤ \|A\| + \|B\|. We shall skip the proofs, which use the corresponding laws for real numbers. The Commutative and Associative Laws are illustrated by Figure 10.1.8. Figure 10.1.8a: Associative law Figure 10.1.8b: Commutative law The Triangle Inequality says that the length of one side of a triangle is at most the sum of the lengths of the other two sides. This is because the vectors A, B, and A + B are represented by sides of a triangle. The proof of the Triangle Inequality is left as a problem (with a hint). It is illustrated in Figure 10.1.9. Triangle inequality Figure 10.1.9
Home Vectors Vector Algebra Vector Sums - Theorem 1

Vector Sums - Theorem 1