Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Vectors
A vector is a mathematical object that has both magnitude and direction. In a two-dimensional space, a vector can be represented as an ordered pair of coordinates, indicating its position relative to a reference point. The vector from point P₁ to point P₂ is calculated by subtracting the coordinates of P₁ from those of P₂.
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Unit Vectors i and j
In the Cartesian coordinate system, the unit vectors i and j represent the directions of the x-axis and y-axis, respectively. The vector i corresponds to (1, 0), indicating movement along the x-axis, while j corresponds to (0, 1), indicating movement along the y-axis. Any vector can be expressed as a linear combination of these unit vectors.
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Vector Components
The components of a vector are the projections of the vector along the axes of the coordinate system. For a vector v from P₁ to P₂, the components can be found by determining the change in the x-coordinates and the change in the y-coordinates. This allows the vector to be expressed in terms of i and j, facilitating easier calculations and visualizations.
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Position Vectors & Component Form