BECE Mathematics 2025 Paper

Concept:To multiply a vector by a number, multiply each component. To subtract vectors, subtract component by component (top from top, bottom from bottom).Given:$a = \dbinom{-2}{1}$, $b = \dbinom{-5}{-3}$Solution:$2a = \dbinom{2 \times (-2)}{2 \times 1} = \dbinom{-4}{2}$Top: $-4 - (-5) = -4 + 5 = 1$Bottom: $2 - (-3) = 2 + 3 = 5$$2a - b = \dbinom{1}{5}$Key point: Subtracting a negative number means adding it: $-(-5) = +5$.Answer:Option A ($\dbinom{1}{5}$)