Vectors on Maple

Purdue Engineering Computer Network

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Introduction

Vectors define direction and magnitude. For example, vectors come in handy in physics problems that describe motion. The general form of a 3 dimensional vector that is a function of time is as follows:

V(t)=X(t)i+Y(t)j+Z(t)k

In this web page, I will discuss how to do basic vector operations on Maple. Below is a list of the topics that will be discussed.

• Vector Addition
• Vector Multiplication

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Vector Addition

When a student is first taught vectors, one of the first thing that is learned is how to add vectors. Adding vectors in Maple has been made easy by use of the matadd command which as the general form:

matadd(u,v); or u + v;
evalm(%);

Example 1.1

Consider the two vectors:

u=4i+6j ; v=10i+3j+13k

Add the following vectors.

-Solution-

14i + 9j + 14k

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Vector Multiplication

Multiplying vectors in Maple has been made easy by use of the * operator which as the general form:

2 * v;
evalm(%);

Example 1.1

Consider the two vectors:

v=10i+3j+13k

Multiply the vector.

-Solution-

6i + 26j