# Vector Joining Two Points

## What Are Vectors?

In mathematics, a vector is a quantity that has both magnitudes and direction, but it doesn't display position. Examples of vector quantities: Velocity and acceleration. Vectors are shown by line segments, and the length of the line segment is the magnitude of the vector. For example, line AB is of 7 cm, and it's pointed towards the south, hence, here AB is a vector. Boldface letters usually indicate vectors, like v. |v | represents the length and magnitude of a vector.

If a vector is multiplied by a scalar quantity, then the length of the vector is changed but not the magnitude. However, in the case of a negative number, the direction of the arrow will be reversed. In this article, we would learn about vectors joining two points.

### Triangle Law for Vector Addition

The triangle law of vector addition states that, if two vectors are added, then the direction and the magnitude are shown at the two sides of the triangle. The third side thus represents the result of both the vectors.

If there are two vectors which are to be added, the first vector will be drawn as per the given scale. From the head of the first vector, the second vector will be drawn. Hence, the tail of the second vector will lie at the head of the first vector. Later, the third vector which will join the head of the first vector and the head of the second vector will be the required result.

### Equation of Vectors Joining Two Points

In the following example, points can be represented on x, y, and z-axes, respectively.  Now if the two points are represented on  x-, y- and z- coordinates, then it will be given as:

• Point 1 as P₁ (x₁,y₁,z₁)

• Point 2 as P₂ (x₂,y₂,z₂)

A vector will join both the points, and the naming will be done as P1 and P2.

The vectors are represented from the origin I, along with the x-, y- and z-axes as i, j, and k, respectively.

Later, we have to join the origin O to P₁ with the vector OP1, and origins O to P2 with the vector OP2

Hence, by triangle law, we get:

→        →      →

OP1 + P1P2 = OP2

Or

→        →      →

P1P2  = OP2 - OP1

Then,

$\overrightarrow{P_{1}P_{2}}$ = (x₂î+y₂ĵ+z₂ƙ) - (x₁ȋ+y₁ĵ+z₁ƙ)

= (x₂-x₁)î+(y₂-y₁)ĵ+(z₂-z₁)ƙ

The above-given equation represents the vector P₁ and P₂, and the magnitude:

$\overrightarrow{P_{1}P_{2}} = \sqrt{(x_{2}-x_{1})^{2} + (y_{2}-y_{1})^{22} + (z_{2}-z_{1})}$

### Example of Vector Joining Two Points

Here are a few vectors joining two points problems:

Question 1

Find the vector and its magnitude, which joins the point A (4, 5, 6) to point B (10, 11, 12).

Solution: As the vector is directed from point A to point B, it is denoted by

$\overrightarrow{AB}$

Hence,

$\overrightarrow{AB}$= (10-4) î + (11-5) ĵ + (12-6)ƙ

= 6î+6ĵ+6ƙ

The magnitude:

$\overrightarrow{AB}$= $\sqrt{6^{2}+6^{2}+6^{2}}$ = $\sqrt{36+36+36}$ = 108

= 10.39.

Question 2

Find the vector joining the points P with coordinates (1, 2, 3) and Q with coordinates(6, 5, 4) directed to point Q from P.

Solution: As the vector is directed from point P to point Q, it will be denoted as

$\overrightarrow{PQ}$

Hence,

$\overrightarrow{PQ}$= (6-1)î  +(5-2)ĵ  +(4-3)

= 5î +3ĵ+ ƙ

Question 3

Find the vectors joining the points P(2,3,0)and Q(-1,-2,-4), directed from Point P to Point Q

Solution:  Given,

P = (2,3,0) and Q = (-1,-2,-4)

As P is directed towards Q, the arrow will be in the forward direction. Hence,

$\overrightarrow{PQ}$ = (-1,-2)î + (-2,-3)j + (-4,-0)k̂

= -3î -5ĵ -4k̂

The vector joining two points P and Q are:

$\overrightarrow{PQ}$ = -3î -5-ĵ  -4k̂.

Question 4

Find the vector joining two points A(1,2,6), B(7,9,10), directed from Point A to Point B, Also find the Magnitude.

Solution:  Given, A = (1,2,6)  B = (7,9,10)

Because the vector is directed from point A to B, the arrow will move in forward direction, and it will be shown as

$\overrightarrow{AB}$

Then,

$\overrightarrow{AB}$ =(7−1) î +(9−2)ĵ +(10−6) k̂

=6î +7ĵ +4k̂

Magnitude of  $\overrightarrow{AB}$ will be given as

$\overrightarrow{PQ}$ ∣=  $\sqrt{(6 \times 6)+ (7 \times 7)+ (4 \times 4)}$

=  $\sqrt{36 + 49 + 16}$

= $\sqrt{101}$

​         =10.04