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Transformations and vectors
Lesson 14 of 14

Column vectors

Objective. Add, subtract and scale column vectors, and use them for translations.

The key idea

A column vector gives movement right/left on top and up/down underneath. Adding vectors adds each component separately.

Worked example

Work out (3, −1) + 2(−1, 4) as column vectors.

−1) + 2(−1
Illustrated card showing −1) + 2(−1
  1. 12(−1, 4) = (−2, 8).
  2. 2(3, −1) + (−2, 8) = (1, 7).

Answer: (1, 7)

Practice

Each question comes with a picture and a listen button. Try it first, then reveal the answer.

Common mistake. Mixing the order of the components when translating.

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