Multiplying a vector by a scalar revision notes

Edexcel International GCSE Maths (4MA1), chapter 27: Vectors, specification point 5.1c. Part of the full course.

Watch the video lesson · IGCSE Maths past papers

Multiplying a vector by a scalar multiplies both entries of its column vector. The scalar’s size changes the vector’s length, while its sign determines its direction, so the result stays on the same line as the original vector.

More lessons in Vectors

What is a vector
Column vector notation
Directed line segment notation
Magnitude of a vector
Adding and subtracting column vectors
Resultant of two or more vectors
Subtracting vectors in a diagram
Finding a route through a vector diagram
Vectors with ratios on a line
Proving two vectors are parallel
Proving points are collinear
Vector proofs with midpoints and medians