In theory (see Learner Workload) you are supposed to spend seven hours per week on MATH6040. I know this might not be possible for everyone, but there is no doubt that spending four hours per week on exercises is going to be best for your learning… but this week’s exercises could be done by you in a matter of minutes.

Week 1

Lecture

We began our study of Chapter 1, Vector Algebra by studying the difference between a scalar (single number) and a vector (list of numbers). We looked at how to both visualise vectors and describe them algebraically. We learned how to find the magnitude  and direction of a vector, add them and scalar multiply them. We spoke about displacement vectors and introduced the vector product known as the dot product.

Exercises

How much time you put into homework is up to you: of course the more time you put in the better but we all have competing interests. Please feel free to ask me questions about the exercises:

  • p.30, Q. 1-2

You could also play with this applet. See the top of p.21 of the manual for details.

Week 2

In Week 2 we will finish talking about the dot product and we might start talking about the vector product.

Test 1

If we finish the Vectors chapter in Week 3 the test will be in Week 5 (this is very likely): otherwise we will push this out to Week 6. Official notice will be given in Week 3 (or Week 4 if necessary). There is a sample test on p.56 of the manual.

Study

Please feel free to ask me questions about the exercises via email.

Student Resources

Please see  Student Resources for information on the Academic Learning Centre, etc.

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