We are given a regular hexagon $ABCDEF$. We are given that $\vec{AB} = p$ and $\vec{BC} = q$. We need to find the vectors $\vec{CD}$, $\vec{DE}$, $\vec{EF}$, $\vec{FA}$, $\vec{AD}$, $\vec{EA}$ and $\vec{AC}$ in terms of $p$ and $q$.

GeometryVectorsGeometryHexagonVector AdditionGeometric Proof
2025/3/30

1. Problem Description

We are given a regular hexagon ABCDEFABCDEF. We are given that AB=p\vec{AB} = p and BC=q\vec{BC} = q. We need to find the vectors CD\vec{CD}, DE\vec{DE}, EF\vec{EF}, FA\vec{FA}, AD\vec{AD}, EA\vec{EA} and AC\vec{AC} in terms of pp and qq.

2. Solution Steps

In a regular hexagon, all sides are of equal length and all interior angles are equal to 120 degrees. We know that AB=p\vec{AB} = p and BC=q\vec{BC} = q.
Since it is a regular hexagon, we have AB=BC=CD=DE=EF=FA|\vec{AB}| = |\vec{BC}| = |\vec{CD}| = |\vec{DE}| = |\vec{EF}| = |\vec{FA}|. Also, the angle between AB\vec{AB} and BC\vec{BC} is 120 degrees.
CD\vec{CD}: Since it is a regular hexagon, CD\vec{CD} will have the same length as AB\vec{AB} and FA\vec{FA} and its direction makes an angle of 120 degrees with BC\vec{BC}. Hence, CD=p\vec{CD} = -p.
DE\vec{DE}: The vector DE\vec{DE} has the same length as BC\vec{BC} but points in the opposite direction. Hence, DE=q\vec{DE} = -q.
EF\vec{EF}: The vector EF\vec{EF} is parallel to AB\vec{AB} but in the opposite direction. Thus, EF=p\vec{EF} = -p.
FA\vec{FA}: FA\vec{FA} is parallel to BC\vec{BC} but in the opposite direction. Thus, FA=q\vec{FA} = -q.
AD\vec{AD}: In a regular hexagon, the distance between opposite vertices is twice the length of a side. Also AD\vec{AD} is parallel to BC\vec{BC}. Therefore, AD=2BC=2q\vec{AD} = 2\vec{BC} = 2q.
EA\vec{EA}: EA=ED+DA\vec{EA} = \vec{ED} + \vec{DA}. We know ED=q\vec{ED} = q and DA=AD=2q\vec{DA} = -\vec{AD} = -2q. Thus, EA=q2q=qp\vec{EA} = q - 2q = -q-p.
Alternatively, EA=AE\vec{EA} = -\vec{AE}. Also AE=AB+BC+CD+DE=p+qpq=0\vec{AE} = \vec{AB} + \vec{BC} + \vec{CD} + \vec{DE} = p + q -p -q =0.
Thus, AE=AB+BE\vec{AE} = \vec{AB} + \vec{BE}. AE=p2q\vec{AE} = -p -2q
EA=AE=(AB+BC+CD+DE)=(p+q+(p)+(q))=qp\vec{EA} = -\vec{AE} = -(\vec{AB} + \vec{BC} + \vec{CD} + \vec{DE}) = -(p+q+(-p)+(-q)) = q - p
Since the hexagon is regular, consider the center OO. We have OA=DO\vec{OA} = -\vec{DO}. Thus, AD=2OD=2BC=2q\vec{AD} = 2\vec{OD} = 2\vec{BC} = 2q. AE=AO+OE=OA+OE\vec{AE} = \vec{AO}+\vec{OE} = -\vec{OA}+\vec{OE}. Also, OE=BA=p\vec{OE} = \vec{BA} = -p. Also, OA=p+q\vec{OA} = \vec{p}+\vec{q}. Then AE=pqp=2pq\vec{AE} = -p-q-p = -2p-q and EA=2p+q\vec{EA} = 2p+q.
AC\vec{AC}: AC=AB+BC=p+q\vec{AC} = \vec{AB} + \vec{BC} = p+q.

3. Final Answer

CD=p\vec{CD} = -p
DE=q\vec{DE} = -q
EF=p\vec{EF} = -p
FA=q\vec{FA} = -q
AD=2q\vec{AD} = 2q
EA=2p+q\vec{EA} = 2p+q
AC=p+q\vec{AC} = p+q

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