Concept understanding — Position Vectors and Section Formula
Fix an originO. For any point P, the vector OP is the position vector of P with respect to O. This single vector encodes the point's entire location, and it converts geometry problems into vector algebra.
The fundamental link. For any two points A,B with position vectors a=OA, b=OB: AB=OB−OA=b−a.
Section formula (internal division). If P divides segment AB internally in the ratio m:n (i.e. AP:PB=m:n), then OP=n+mna+mb.Idea of the proof: since AP and PB point the same way and n∣AP∣=m∣PB∣, we get nAP=mPB; writing AP=r−a and PB=b−r (where r=OP) and solving gives the formula.
Section formula (external division, without proof). If P divides AB externally in the ratio m:n: OP=m−nmb−na.
Midpoint. Setting m=n=1 in the internal formula: the midpoint of AB has position vector 2a+b. …