Vectors carry direction as well as size, which is why they can describe position, displacement and velocity with the same algebra. Most Add Maths questions are really about relative position and closest approach.
Syllabus points covered
- Use vector notation, including magnitude and unit vectors
- Add and subtract vectors and multiply a vector by a scalar
- Use position vectors and displacement vectors in geometrical problems
- Solve problems involving velocity, relative velocity and interception
Common mistakes
- Adding the magnitudes of two vectors instead of adding the vectors and then taking the magnitude.
- Getting the direction of a displacement backwards: AB is b − a, not a − b.
- Forgetting to divide by the magnitude when a unit vector is asked for.
- In relative velocity problems, subtracting the velocities the wrong way round.
Worksheets
Use these as soon as you've learned the topic and need to practise it. Start with the worksheet, check yourself against the answers, and only then look at the step-by-step solutions.
- Practice worksheetComing soon
- Worksheet answersComing soon
- Step-by-step solutionsComing soon
Topical past papers
Move on to these once you've worked through the worksheets and are ready for harder, exam-style questions. Real past-paper questions on this topic, with the official mark scheme and full worked solutions.
- Topical questionsComing soon
- Mark schemeComing soon
- Step-by-step worked solutionsComing soon
Looking for whole papers by session? All Additional Mathematics past papers