Parallel Vectors and Projection

This topic is part of the HSC Mathematics Extension 1 syllabus under the topic Vectors.

Let’s examine the properties of parallel and perpendicular vectors and determine if two vectors are parallel or perpendicular.

Here are some definitions to get you started

• Parallel Vectors are vectors which have the same slope or angle.
• Orthogonal vectors have a 90-degree angle between them.
• Projection is the “shadow” of one vector onto another.

Parallel, Orthogonal or neither

Determine if vectors are parallel, orthogonal or neither

Vector Projections

Now let’s define and use the projection of one vector onto another.