Scaling vectors

The  exercise appears under the Precalculus Math Mission. This exercise experiments with scalar multiples of vectors in a graphical and algebraic setting.

Types of Problems
There are two types of problems in this exercise:


 * 1) Find the size and assign the cards: This problem describes a vector and some multiples of that vector. The student is expected to find the size of the resulting vectors and then assign the correct picture to each vector.Sv1.png
 * 2) Compare size and direction, then find coordinates: This problem has a vector and some scalar multiple of that vector. The student is asked to find the size and direction of the multiple, as well as the coordinates of the resultant vector.Sv2.png

Strategies
Knowledge of and experience with vectors are encouraged to ensure success on this exercise.
 * 1) Multiplying the coordinates of a vector each by the same constant causes the vector to be increased in size by that constant.
 * 2) Negative vectors move in the opposite direction (against) the original vector, but their size is the same as if they were written with the absolute value of the constant.

Real-life Applications

 * 1) Vectors are used to represent quantities that have size and direction.
 * 2) Forces, such as gravity, are vector quantities and are found often in physics.
 * 3) Vectors can be used to model motion of airplanes and ships that are affected by winds and tides.