Skip over navigation
Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics NRich logo
menu search
  • Teachers expand_more
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
    • Events
    • Professional development
  • Students expand_more
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Parents expand_more
    • Early Years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Problem-Solving Schools
  • About NRICH expand_more
    • About us
    • Impact stories
    • Support us
    • Our funders
    • Contact us
  • search

Or search by topic

Number and algebra

  • The Number System and Place Value
  • Calculations and Numerical Methods
  • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion
  • Properties of Numbers
  • Patterns, Sequences and Structure
  • Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae
  • Coordinates, Functions and Graphs

Geometry and measure

  • Angles, Polygons, and Geometrical Proof
  • 3D Geometry, Shape and Space
  • Measuring and calculating with units
  • Transformations and constructions
  • Pythagoras and Trigonometry
  • Vectors and Matrices

Probability and statistics

  • Handling, Processing and Representing Data
  • Probability

Working mathematically

  • Thinking mathematically
  • Developing positive attitudes
  • Cross-curricular contexts

Advanced mathematics

  • Decision Mathematics and Combinatorics
  • Advanced Probability and Statistics
  • Mechanics
  • Calculus

For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage
NRICH topics: Vectors and matrices Vectors

Resources tagged with: Vectors

Content type:
Age range:
Challenge level:

There are 25 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Vectors, you may find related items under Vectors and matrices.

Broad Topics > Vectors and matrices > Vectors

Game Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Vector Gem Collector

Use vectors to collect as many gems as you can and bring them safely home!

Age 14 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
Game Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Vector Racer

The classic vector racing game.

Age 11 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Vector Journeys

Charlie likes to go for walks around a square park, while Alison likes to cut across diagonally. Can you find relationships between the vectors they walk along?

Age 14 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Vector Walk

Starting with two basic vector steps, which destinations can you reach on a vector walk?

Age 14 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Spotting the Loophole

A visualisation problem in which you search for vectors which sum to zero from a jumble of arrows. Will your eyes be quicker than algebra?

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Areas of Parallelograms

Can you find the area of a parallelogram defined by two vectors?

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Cubestick

Stick some cubes together to make a cuboid. Find two of the angles by as many different methods as you can devise.

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Square Coordinates

A tilted square is a square with no horizontal sides. Can you devise a general instruction for the construction of a square when you are given just one of its sides?

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Article Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Multiplication of Vectors

An account of multiplication of vectors, both scalar products and vector products.

Age 16 to 18
Article Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

An Introduction to Vectors

The article provides a summary of the elementary ideas about vectors usually met in school mathematics, describes what vectors are and how to add, subtract and multiply them by scalars and indicates why they are useful.

Age 14 to 18
Article Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Which Twin Is Older?

A simplified account of special relativity and the twins paradox.

Age 16 to 18
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

8 Methods for Three by One

This problem in geometry has been solved in no less than EIGHT ways by a pair of students. How would you solve it? How many of their solutions can you follow? How are they the same or different? Which do you like best?

Age 14 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Flexi Quads

A quadrilateral changes shape with the edge lengths constant. Show the scalar product of the diagonals is constant. If the diagonals are perpendicular in one position are they always perpendicular?

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Another Triangle in a Triangle

Can you work out the fraction of the original triangle that is covered by the green triangle?

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

From Point to Point

Can you combine vectors to get from one point to another?

Age 14 to 16
ShortChallenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star
Problem Live Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Nine Eigen

Explore how matrices can fix vectors and vector directions.

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Problem Live Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Matrix Meaning

Explore the meaning behind the algebra and geometry of matrices with these 10 individual problems.

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Polygon Walk

Go on a vector walk and determine which points on the walk are closest to the origin.

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
Problem Live Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Fix Me or Crush Me

Can you make matrices which will fix one lucky vector and crush another to zero?

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Coordinated Crystals

Explore the lattice and vector structure of this crystal.

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

V-P Cycles

Form a sequence of vectors by multiplying each vector (using vector products) by a constant vector to get the next one in the seuence(like a GP). What happens?

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Air Routes

Find the distance of the shortest air route at an altitude of 6000 metres between London and Cape Town given the latitudes and longitudes. A simple application of scalar products of vectors.

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Problem Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

Flexi Quad Tan

As a quadrilateral Q is deformed (keeping the edge lengths constnt) the diagonals and the angle X between them change. Prove that the area of Q is proportional to tanX.

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
Article Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

The Use of Mathematics in Computer Games

An account of how mathematics is used in computer games including geometry, vectors, transformations, 3D graphics, graph theory and simulations.

Age 16 to 18
Article Primary curriculum Secondary curriculum

A Knight's Journey

This article looks at knight's moves on a chess board and introduces you to the idea of vectors and vector addition.

Age 14 to 18

  • Tech help
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter X logo

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

University of Cambridge logo NRICH logo