Vector Geometry

Tarmac27

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Jan 29, 2021
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Hello.

I came across this vector geometry question and I haven't made much progess on it.

Question:
The figure shows a regular hexagon ABCDEF. Let a = →AF and b =→AB.

Express →CD in terms of a and b.


My Progress:

→FB = -b+a

All angles are 120 degrees.

Im assuming this answer is simple like →CD = →AF but how do we know this?

Anything helps.

Thanks
 

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in fact, [MATH]\vec{CD} = \vec{AF}[/MATH] ... because, a translated vector does not change its magnitude or direction
 
what’s the definition of a regular hexagon?

Ah yes thank you.

Yes, a regular hexagon has all sides equal so →CD = →AF=a. But this does not mean →AB = →AF correct? because of the direction?

Are these the vector equalities?:

→AF = →CD
→AB = →ED
→FE = →BC
 
Also there is a part two I am now having trouble with.

Part Two:

Find →BE

My Progress:

Let →FE = c
therefore, →BC = c

→FE is parallel to →BC

→BE = -b+a+c

This is where I'm up to, not much but I haven't been able to add to this for an hour so I'm not really sure. Any hints would be appreciated

Thanks
 
Ah yes thank you.

Yes, a regular hexagon has all sides equal so →CD = →AF=a. But this does not mean →AB = →AF correct? because of the direction?

yes, [math]\vec{AB} \ne \vec{AF}[/math] because they are not in the same direction

Are these the vector equalities?:

→AF = →CD
→AB = →ED
→FE = →BC

yes, note there are three more pairs that are equal (reverse the direction for each vector in the above equations)
 
Also there is a part two I am now having trouble with.

Part Two:

Find →BE

My Progress:

Let →FE = c
therefore, →BC = c

→FE is parallel to →BC

→BE = -b+a+c

This is where I'm up to, not much but I haven't been able to add to this for an hour so I'm not really sure. Any hints would be appreciated

Thanks

[MATH]\vec{BE} = 2 \cdot \vec{AF}[/MATH]
 
Thanks,

Thats obviously simple now but how did you find that equality? Is it another hexagon geometric property because I have tried almost every vector addition possible in the question and none of them relate →AF to →BE.
 
what kind of triangles are formed by connecting the opposite vertices of the regular hexagon?

Reg_hex.jpg

recommend you review your geometry before tackling these vector questions
 
what kind of triangles are formed by connecting the opposite vertices of the regular hexagon?

View attachment 25237

recommend you review your geometry before tackling these vector questions


Ah right thanks,

That clears up all my confusion. Do you really need to know these properties off the top of your head? I realise these hexagon ones aren't so complex properties but other shapes may have more complex properties and remembering all of them must surely be difficult?
 
not that difficult ...

 
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