Volume 3: The Calculus of Life

Workbook 28.1: Vector Basics

Directives for the Navigator:

1. Component Form: Write your vectors as $\langle x, y \rangle$.
2. Vector Addition: Add the X's and add the Y's. (Never mix them!).
3. Magnitude: Use $|\mathbf{v}| = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}$.
4. Direction: Direction is the angle, not just the length.

Part I: Identifying Scalars and Vectors

Mark each quantity as either a Scalar (S) or a Vector (V).

The speed of a horse: 15 mph.

[ ] Scalar (S)   [ ] Vector (V)

The wind: 20 mph from the East.

[ ] Scalar (S)   [ ] Vector (V)

The temperature of the sun: 5,000 degrees.

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The weight of a stone pulling downward: 10 Newtons.

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Part II: Vector Addition (The Resultant)

Find the resultant vector $\mathbf{r} = \mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}$.

$\mathbf{a} = \langle 5, 2 \rangle$ and $\mathbf{b} = \langle 3, 10 \rangle$

$\mathbf{r} = \langle 5+3, 2+10 \rangle = \langle 8, 12 \rangle$

$\mathbf{a} = \langle -4, 6 \rangle$ and $\mathbf{b} = \langle 4, -2 \rangle$

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The Rescue Mission: A helicopter flies $\langle 10, 0 \rangle$ miles East, then encounters a wind pushing it $\langle -2, -5 \rangle$. What is its actual position vector?

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The Magnitude Logic:

If vector $\mathbf{a} = \langle 3, 0 \rangle$ and $\mathbf{b} = \langle 0, 4 \rangle$... calculate $|v + v|$. Is it 7? Or is it 5? Why does the Pythagorean Theorem matter here?

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Part III: Scalar Multiplication (Empowerment)

If $\mathbf{v} = \langle 3, -2 \rangle$... find $4\mathbf{v}$.

$4 \cdot \langle 3, -2 \rangle = \langle 12, -8 \rangle$

The Half-Zeal: If a missionary team starts with a plan $\mathbf{p} = \langle 10, 20 \rangle$, but their funding is cut in half ($k = 0.5$)... what is their new vector?

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Part IV: The Challenge (The Unit Vector)

Normalizing the Truth

A vector is given by $\mathbf{v} = \langle 6, 8 \rangle$.
1. Calculate the Magnitude $|v|$.
2. Divide each component by the magnitude to find the Unit Vector $\mathbf{u}$.
3. Verify that the length of $\mathbf{u}$ is exactly 1.

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Part V: Transmission (The Echad Extension)

Teacher Log: The Tug of War

Objective: Explain Vector Addition to a younger student using a toy.

The Activity:
1. Tie two strings to a toy car.
2. Have two children pull the strings in different directions.
3. Observe where the car goes.

The Lesson: "Our life is like that car. It goes where the 'Sum' of our pulls points. If we both pull toward God, the car moves twice as fast!"


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