Vectors Teacher Resources

Column right! Using visual representations, a short video introduces the concept of column vectors. Next, the resource shows how adding two vectors end-to-end is simplified by adding the components in the column vector. The presentation...

Examine the meaning and purpose of vectors. Use the lesson to teach your classes how find the magnitude of a vector and what it represents graphically. Your pupils will also combine vectors to find a resultant vector and interpret its...

Take a look at vectors as geometric objects and then as an algebraic concept. The second video in a series of 15 introduces the vector using three perspectives: the physics, computer science, and mathematical. The resource shows the...

How do vectors help make problem solving more efficient? Math scholars use vectors to represent different phenomenon and calculate resultant vectors to answer questions. Problems vary from modeling airplane motion to the path of a robot. 

Fight against the current. Pupils explore the resulting path when they are crossing a river while being pushed downstream by the current. Using vector notation, learners express the speed and direction of a ferry. They finish by...

What does it mean for two vectors to be linearly independent? The resource presents the basics of basis vectors and linear combinations. The third video in the 15-part series provides a definition of linear independence in terms of the...

Complex numbers bridge so many concepts as learners edge into higher-level math. Here, their polar and rectangular forms link through vector notation, and the arithmetic of vectors is born. These basic math skills translate into a...

Investigate vectors and learn how to use them. Explore why size and direction, as well as knowing speed and distance, are important components of the vector problems you are trying to solve. This is an extensive lesson which includes six...

A vector contains magnitude and direction. The video and associated questions introduce the class to vectors that are made up of scalars and displacement. Pupils read more about vectors to find them in real life and how they are used in...

Investigate vectors in standard positions and use the CellSheet application on the TI calculator to find the sum of two vectors. Convert from polar to rectangular coordinates and vice versa, and show graphs of the vectors.

High schoolers watch a video of real-world situations regarding speed, direction, velocity, force, etc. and answer questions while viewing. They then practice drawing and using vectors to solve more real-world problems.

Map the velocity of a thrown football using physics! Learners study vector addition using a football scenario. Two vectors model the movement of the receiver and quarterback while the resulting vector describes the velocity of the...

Come in on a vector. A video introduces vector notation and basic definitions. Given a shortened version of representing the vector, the presenter shows how to add vectors algebraically. Using parallelograms and trapezoids, the resource...

Three levels of practice assure scholar mastery of vector addition. After inputting an incorrect answer, another problem replaces it so everyone finds success. The lesson works as one part of a series on vectors and projectiles.

A hands-on lesson using the TI-CBR Motion Detector to provide information to graph and analyze. The class uses this information to calculate the slope of motion graphs and differentiate scalar and vector quantities. There is a real-world...

Looking for a lesson on vectors?  Here is a PowerPoint that has six examples for finding velocity, acceleration, speed and direction of motion. One of the examples demonstrates the use of the TI-89 Graphing Calculator to solve a problem.

Two words summarize the interactive: vector projector. An easy-to-use resource lets users investigate vector projections on the coordinate plane. Given the components of two vectors, they determine the projection of one vector onto the...

Here is a math lab that helps young mathematicians understand the real-life meaning for vector addition. By building a model using spring scales and washers as weight, and then calculating the vector addition using two different methods,...

Define a vector and teach your class about the different parts of a vector with this video. An instructor conveys what a vector is, labeling the parts and providing multiple examples. Learners can re-watch this video if they are...

Investigate the components of vectors and vector addition through geometric representations. Pupils learn the parallelogram rule for adding vectors and demonstrate their understanding graphically. They utilize the correct notation and...

What does it take to build a stable arch? Pupils apply vectors and physics as they examine arched bridges and their structural integrity. They use vectors to represent the forces acting on the stone sections and make conclusions based on...

Take the principles of vectors and apply them to other things that act like vectors. The last video in the series of 15 introduces the more abstract aspects of linear algebra, making the connection back to the vector concepts discussed...

Continue the journey into the world of physics as you lead your class on a winding road complete with vectors and scalers. Pupils learn more about motion, direction, and velocity as they use these concepts to explore two- and...

High schoolers listen to a lecture and complete a number of problems as they go. There are a variety of examples given and they are guided through the problem solving steps for each of the real-world scenarios regarding the purpose of...