Salam Academy
Paper 1 · Module

Further vectors

4 subtopics≈ 150 min in total
  1. The scalar product and angles

    Multiply two vectors and get a number that measures how much they point the same way. Use it to find any angle in three dimensions, and to test for right angles in a single line of working.

    ≈ 35 min
  2. The vector equation of a line

    One point and one direction pin down a line. Write it as r=a+λd\mathbf{r}=\mathbf{a}+\lambda\mathbf{d}, slide along it by changing λ\lambda, test whether points lie on it, and find the angle between two lines from their directions alone.

    ≈ 35 min
  3. Intersecting, parallel and skew lines

    In a plane, two lines either cross or are parallel. In three dimensions they can also miss each other completely. Learn the three-step test that decides, and how to find the crossing point when there is one.

    ≈ 40 min
  4. Foot of the perpendicular and shortest distances

    The closest point on a line to a given point is where a perpendicular meets it. Find it with one scalar product, then get distances, reflections and areas almost for free.

    ≈ 40 min