# Vector Geometry

twofish

## Homework Statement

Below is the question given.
"Give a vector description of a point P that is on-third of the way from A to B on the line segment AB."

2. The attempt at a solution
I'm not sure where to go with this, all I really have at this point is a line A-B 6 squares long on my graph paper, with the point P at square 2.
From there I have drawn a two vectors above the line, they both originate at O and descend down to A and B, such that another vector descends from O to P at 90 degrees.

I believe that I have to use the Proj of u onto v at some point (or b onto a), but I'm unsure how to incorporate this into the solution.

Code:
          O
/|\
/ |  \
a    /  |    \    b
/   |       \
/    | p       \
/     |           \
A______|_____________B
P

Last edited:

Mentor
If you have the (x,y) coordinates of A and of P, then just do the component subtractions to get the vector AP.

twofish
Yes, the question is as stated (ie; there are no components given).

I'm leaning towards something similar to letting
AB= b-a
then P= (1/3) (b-a)
?

Last edited:
Mentor
Then I guess you can only answer it with symbollic vector subtraction.

Assume that you have the vectors OB and OA. Write the vector subtraction that results in the vector AB. Then what modification to this subtraction do you need to do to represent the vector AP?