Foundation and Higher · column vectors

Translate a shape
with a vector.
Top is x. Bottom is y.

left and down
are the negative ones

first, the word itself —

Vector

Latin vehere: to carry

it carries the shape

step 1 of 4

Read the vector (4−3)

1. Top number: right (+) or left (−).

2. Bottom number: up (+) or down (−).

✓ (4−3) means 4 right, 3 down

step 2 of 4

Translate by (−6−4)

1. Pick one corner. Move it 6 left, 4 down.

2. Do the same for every corner, then join.

✓ Same size, same way up,
new position

step 3 of 4

Describe A to B

1. Match a corner on A to its twin on B.

2. Count across, then up: 6 right, 7 up.

✓ Translation by the vector (67)

step 4 of 4

And B back to A?

1. Going back reverses both moves:
6 left, 7 down.

2. So both signs change.

✓ A to B (67), so B to A (−6−7)

column vectors —

Top number

right is +, left is −

Bottom number

up is +, down is −

To describe it

“translation by the vector …”

No comma, no fraction line.
It is not a coordinate.

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