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Grade 12 · MCV4U · Calculus & Vectors

MCV4U Introduction to Vectors Practice Test (with Solutions)

Introduction to Vectors starts the second half of MCV4U with vectors drawn as arrows. Expect bearings, scalar multiples, equivalent and opposite vectors, writing one vector in terms of others in a parallelogram, and the cosine law for angles and magnitudes, then force and velocity problems. On Martian Lab the unit is Geometric Vectors; try each question below before you open the answer.

Free Geometric Vectors Practice Test

8 questions (15 parts), exactly as a free account gets them in the first Geometric Vectors test on Martian Lab. Try each one on paper first, then open the answer.

  1. Consider the given diagram then describe the direction of u⃗\vec{u} using
    Figure for the question
    1. true bearing
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      135∘135^{\circ}
    2. quadrant bearing
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      [S 45∘ E][S\,45^{\circ}\,E]
  2. Describe how the vectors 3v⃗3\vec{v} and −3v⃗-3\vec{v} are related v⃗\vec{v}. Include diagrams in your description.
    Show solution
    They are collinear or parallel. They have different magnitude. v⃗\vec{v} and 3v⃗3\vec{v} have the same direction. v⃗\vec{v} and −3v⃗-3\vec{v} have opposite directions.Worked solution
  3. Consider rectangle ABCDABCD as shown then fill in the blanks with the most appropriate words relating to vectors.
    Figure for the question
    1. Vectors \rule{1cm}{0.4pt} and \rule{1cm}{0.4pt} are equivalent vectors.
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      AD→\overrightarrow{AD} BC→\overrightarrow{BC}
    2. AB→\overrightarrow{AB} and CD→\overrightarrow{CD} are \rule{1cm}{0.4pt} vectors.
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      opposite
    3. AE→\overrightarrow{AE} and CA→\overrightarrow{CA} are \rule{1cm}{0.4pt} vectors.
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      collinear
  4. In the given diagram, WXYZWXYZ is a parallelogram, CC is the midpoint of WZWZ, and ∣XA→∣=∣AB→∣=∣BY→∣|\overrightarrow{XA}| = |\overrightarrow{AB}| = |\overrightarrow{BY}|. Express each vector below in terms of a⃗\vec{a}, b⃗\vec{b}, m⃗\vec{m}, and/or n⃗\vec{n}.
    Figure for the question
    1. AB→=\overrightarrow{AB} = \rule{1cm}{0.4pt}
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      −m⃗−n⃗-\vec{m} - \vec{n}
    2. AZ→=\overrightarrow{AZ} = \rule{1cm}{0.4pt}
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      −m⃗+b⃗-\vec{m} + \vec{b}
    3. WB→=\overrightarrow{WB} = \rule{1cm}{0.4pt}
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      b⃗−n⃗\vec{b} - \vec{n}
    4. XY→=\overrightarrow{XY} = \rule{1cm}{0.4pt}
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      3(m⃗+n⃗)3(\vec{m} + \vec{n})
    5. YZ→=\overrightarrow{YZ} = \rule{1cm}{0.4pt}
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      a⃗\vec{a}
  5. Given v⃗=12 m/s\vec{v} = 12\,\text{m/s} at a bearing of 020∘020^{\circ}. What are the horizontal and vertical components, v⃗h\vec{v}_h and v⃗v\vec{v}_v respectively, of the vector?
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    ∣v⃗y∣=12×sin⁡70∘|\vec{v}_y| = 12 \times \sin 70^{\circ} ≈11.28 m/s\approx 11.28\,\text{m/s} ∣v⃗x∣=12cos⁡70∘|\vec{v}_x| = 12 \cos 70^{\circ} ≈4.10 m/s\approx 4.10\,\text{m/s}Worked solution
  6. Given ∣a⃗∣=8|\vec{a}| = 8, ∣b⃗∣=12|\vec{b}| = 12, and ∣a⃗−b⃗∣=10|\vec{a} - \vec{b}| = 10, determine the angle between the vectors a⃗\vec{a} and b⃗\vec{b} to the nearest degree. Include a diagram in your answer.
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    ∣a⃗−b⃗∣2=∣a⃗∣2+∣b⃗∣2−2×∣a⃗∣ ∣b⃗∣cos⁡θ|\vec{a} - \vec{b}|^2 = |\vec{a}|^2 + |\vec{b}|^2 - 2 \times |\vec{a}|\,|\vec{b}|\cos\theta 100=64+144−2×8×12×cos⁡θ100 = 64 + 144 - 2 \times 8 \times 12 \times \cos\theta cos⁡θ=108192,  θ≈55.8∘\cos\theta = \dfrac{108}{192},\; \theta \approx 55.8^{\circ} ∴\therefore Angle between the two vectors is about 55.8∘55.8^{\circ}.Worked solution
  7. If the angle between unit vectors a^\hat{a} and b^\hat{b} is 120∘120^{\circ}, what is ∣8a^−5b^∣|8\hat{a} - 5\hat{b}|? Include a diagram in your answer.
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    ∣8a^−5b^∣2=82+52−2×8×5×cos⁡120∘|8\hat{a} - 5\hat{b}|^2 = 8^2 + 5^2 - 2 \times 8 \times 5 \times \cos 120^{\circ} =129= 129 ∣8a^−5b^∣=129|8\hat{a} - 5\hat{b}| = \sqrt{129} ≈11.4\approx 11.4Worked solution
  8. Evan is towing his brother on a toboggan, using a rope which makes an angle of 20∘20^{\circ} with the ground. If Evan is pulling with a force of 55 N55\,\text{N}, what horizontal force is he exerting on the toboggan? Include a diagram in your answer.
    Show solution
    ∣F⃗x∣=55cos⁡20∘≈51.7|\vec{F}_x| = 55\cos 20^{\circ} \approx 51.7 ∴\therefore The horizontal force is about 51.7 N51.7\,\text{N}.Worked solution

This Unit on Martian Lab

The lessons start with geometric vectors, then apply them to force and to velocity.

  1. Geometric Vectors
  2. Applications of Vectors: Force
  3. Applications of Vectors: Velocity

Then 4 full Geometric Vectors practice tests to check yourself.

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Geometric Vectors FAQ

What is on an MCV4U introduction to vectors test?+

Describing direction with bearings, scalar multiples, equivalent, opposite and collinear vectors, adding and subtracting vectors in a diagram, horizontal and vertical components, the angle between two vectors, and force and velocity problems. The questions on this page cover each of these.

What is the difference between a true bearing and a quadrant bearing?+

A true bearing is measured clockwise from north as three digits, like 135°. A quadrant bearing starts at north or south and turns toward east or west, so the same direction is [S 45° E].

What are equivalent, opposite and collinear vectors?+

Equivalent vectors have the same magnitude and direction, wherever they sit. Opposite vectors have the same magnitude and opposite directions. Collinear vectors are parallel, with any magnitudes: v, 3v and -3v are all collinear.

How do you find the angle between two vectors from their magnitudes?+

Use the cosine law on the triangle formed by a, b and a - b: |a - b|² = |a|² + |b|² - 2|a||b| cos θ. With |a| = 8, |b| = 12 and |a - b| = 10, cos θ = 108/192, so θ ≈ 56°.

How do you find the horizontal part of a force?+

Multiply the magnitude by the cosine of the angle the force makes with the horizontal. A 55 N pull at 20° to the ground has a horizontal component of 55 cos 20° ≈ 51.7 N.

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