Colin James Physics - Mathematics data.

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Last updated: 25th June 2013.

Greek alphabet.
Integrals - Algebraic functions.
Integrals - Hyperbolic functions.
Integrals - Trigonometrical functions.
Series and sequences.
Trigonometry.
Vector algebra (laws).

Laws of Vector Algebra.


Table 1 - Laws of Vector Algebra.

In the following equations A, B and C are vectors (having both magnitude and direction) and m and n are scalars (numbers - having magnitude but no direction).

1.

A + B = B + A

Commutative Law for Addition.

2.

A + (B + C) = (A + B) + C

Associative Law for Addition.

3.

mA = Am

Commutative Law for Multiplication.

4.

m(nA) = (mn)A

Associative Law for Multiplication.

5.

(m + n)A = mA + nA

Distributive Law.

6.

m(A + B) = mA + mB

Distributive Law.



Table 2 - Laws of Algebra.

In the following equations m, n and p are scalars (numbers - having magnitude but no direction).

1.

m + n = n + m

Commutative Law for Addition. (Subtraction is not commutative e.g. (3 - 2) is not equal to (2 - 3))

2.

m + (n + p) = (m + n) + p = m + n + p

Associative Law for Addition.

3.

mn = nm

Commutative Law for Multiplication. (Division is not commutative e.g. (3/2) is not equal to (2/3))

4.

m(np) = (mn)p = (mnp)

Associative Law for Multiplication.

5.

(m + n)p = mp + np

Distributive Law (multiplication is distributive over addition).

6.

m(n + p) = mn + mp

Distributive Law (multiplication is distributive over addition).


The parallels between vector algebra and ordinary algebra allow us to treat vector equations in the same way as ordinary algebraic equations.

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