Math Is Fun Forum

SuperLynx

Member

Registered: 2009-06-28

Posts: 335

Understanding Trig and Algebra

Hi. I'm looking for some help in understanding Trigonometry and Algebra. Specifically, vectors, matrices & scalars.  I hope someone can help me, I have searched on the subject, although nothing I could understand.  How do you multiple vectors, what is a dot product, I suppose best to start with that, I've already begun learning, but any resource or your own personal explanation would be helpful.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,196

Re: Understanding Trig and Algebra

hi SuperLynx

The MathsIsFun teaching pages cover the dot product.  I would recommend this:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/vecto … oduct.html

And at the bottom there are some "test yourself" questions.

Why not start there ?

Also, if you search my posts you'll find I've helped people in the past on vector topics.

Post here if there's still a difficulty.

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

SuperLynx

Member

Registered: 2009-06-28

Posts: 335

Re: Understanding Trig and Algebra

This is going to sound like a dummy, which I am since I have forgotten some of this stuff.  Do you know any real basics teachings so I can build from that ?

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,196

Re: Understanding Trig and Algebra

hi SuperLynx

No dummy.  Everyone has to start somewhere.  But how basic do you want?   (see diagram)

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

SuperLynx

Member

Registered: 2009-06-28

Posts: 335

Re: Understanding Trig and Algebra

Isn't that vector 2,7 ?

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,196

Re: Understanding Trig and Algebra

hi SuperLynx

Vectors are used in many ways.  I was trying to show a movement vector of 6 across and 2 up.  That's why I put an arrow on the red line.  Sometimes vectors are written as a row rather than a column.  I prefer the column format because you don't have any confusion with coordinates.

Have a look at

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/ma … evision/1/

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob