scalar multiplication
What scalar multiplication means in Mathematics GCSE, as defined for AQA, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of scalar multiplication
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Reference: Pearson Edexcel
Multiplying by a positive scalar changes the length of the arrow without turning it, so both components are multiplied, while a negative scalar reverses it.
Multiplying by a scalar multiplies each component.
Topics that use scalar multiplication
- Vectors (AQA GCSE)
- Geometry and measures - Vectors (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- 2D column vector
- column vector notation
- Diagrammatic and column representations
- image
- Parallel and collinear vectors
- Ratios on a line
- resultant vectors
- Translation
Using scalar multiplication in the exam
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