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Properties of Vectors

Last Updated : 12 Jun, 2026

Vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and direction. Vector properties are the mathematical rules that govern operations such as vector addition, scalar multiplication, dot products, and cross products.

👁 commutative_property_addition

1. Commutative Property of Vector Addition: The order in which two vectors are added does not affect the result.

Formula: 

Example: Let, ,

Then,  and 

Hence, 

2. Associative Property of Vector Addition: When adding three vectors, the grouping of vectors does not change the result.

Formula: 

Example: Let ,

Then, and

Thus, both sides are equal.

3. Additive Identity Property: Adding the zero vector to any vector leaves it unchanged.

Formula:  , where

Example: (5,-2)+(0,0) = (5,-2)

Therefore, the zero vector acts as the additive identity.

4. Additive Inverse Property: Every vector has an opposite vector known as its additive inverse.

Formula: 

Example: 

Its inverse is 

Therefore, (3,-4)+(-3,4)=(0,0)

5. Distributive Property of Scalar Multiplication over Vector Addition: A scalar can be distributed across the sum of vectors.

Formula: 

Example: Let, k=2

Then, 2(4,6) = (8,12)

and (2,4)+(6,8) = (8,12)

Hence, the property is verified.

6. Associative Property of Scalar Multiplication: When multiple scalars multiply a vector, the grouping does not matter.

Formula: 

Example: Let k=2, m=3,

Then, 2(3,6) = (6,12) and 6(1,2) = (6,12)

7. Zero Property of Scalar Multiplication: Multiplying a vector by zero produces the zero vector.

Formula: 

Example: (0,0)

Solved Examples

Example 1: Verify the commutative property for vectors (2,1)) and ((3,4)

Commutative property states: a+b = b+a ,

(2,1)+(3,4) = (5,5) and  (3,4)+(2,1) = (5,5)

Therefore, the property holds.

Example 2: Find 3[(1,2)+(2,3)].

Adding terms inside big bracket then multiplying: 3[3,5]=(9,15)

Example 3: Find the additive inverse of (4,-7).

The additive inverse will be (-4,7)

Example 4 : Find dot product of (1,2).(3,4).

The dot product of two vectors is obtained by multiplying the corresponding components and then adding the products.

 1(3)+2(4) = 11

Practice Problems

  1. Verify the commutative property for vectors (4,2) and (1,5).
  2. Verify the associative property for vectors (1,1), (2,3), and (4,2).
  3. Find the additive inverse of (6,-3).
  4. Compute 4[(1,2) + (3,1)].
  5. Verify (2+3)(1,2) = 2(1,2) + 3(1,2).

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