GCSE Mathematics  ›  M4.5 Vectors and transformations

Vectors and transformations

Free AQA GCSE Mathematics practice questions on Vectors and transformations. Sample questions below with detailed mark schemes — sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.

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Show — 3 marks

A drone operator is planning a delivery route. The drone starts at point A and flies 80 m due east, then 60 m due north to reach point B. The operator wants to know the direct displacement from A to B and the direction of travel.

  1. Show that the magnitude of the displacement from A to B is 100 m. [1 mark]
  2. Calculate the angle that the direct displacement makes with the east direction. Give your answer to 1 decimal place. [1 mark]
  3. The drone must return to point A. Describe how the displacement vector for the return journey compares to the displacement vector from A to B. [1 mark]
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Compare — 2 marks

A drone pilot is planning two flight paths to deliver packages across a city. Path A requires the drone to fly 200 m due north, then 150 m due east. Path B requires the drone to fly 150 m due east, then 200 m due north. Both paths start from the same location.

  1. Compare the final displacement vectors for Path A and Path B. [2 marks]
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Calculate — 2 marks

Shape A is drawn on a coordinate grid. Shape A is translated by the vector $\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}$ to give Shape B.

  1. (01.1) One vertex of Shape A is at the point (1, 5). Calculate the coordinates of the corresponding vertex of Shape B. [1 mark]
  2. (01.2) Another vertex of Shape B is at the point (7, 2). Calculate the coordinates of the corresponding vertex of Shape A. [1 mark]
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  • (01.1) (4, 3) OR x = 4 and y = 3
  • (01.2) (4, 4) OR x = 4 and y = 4

Show — 3 marks

Three points P, Q, and R are plotted on a coordinate grid. Point P has coordinates (4, 5), point Q has coordinates (7, 3), and point R has coordinates (10, 1).

  1. (01.1) Write down the vector $\overrightarrow{PQ}$ as a column vector. [1 mark]
  2. (01.2) Show that P, Q, and R lie on a straight line. [2 marks]
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  • (01.1) $\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}$ oe
  • (01.2) Work out vector $\overrightarrow{QR} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}$
  • (01.2) Show vectors are equal and conclude points are collinear

Explain — 2 marks

A triangle ABC is drawn on a coordinate grid. Point A has coordinates (2, 3), point B has coordinates (5, 3), and point C has coordinates (2, 6). The triangle is translated by the vector $\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}$ to form triangle A'B'C'.

  1. (01.1) Write down the coordinates of the point A'. [1 mark]
  2. (01.2) Jenny says that the side A'B' will be longer than the side AB. Explain why Jenny is incorrect. [1 mark]
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  • (01.1) (6, 1) (accept x = 6, y = 1)
  • (01.2) Translation does not change the size of a shape / translation preserves lengths / A'B' = AB (accept equivalent statements)
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