Chapter - 10

VECTOR ALGEBRA

Q.1 ABC is a triangle and P is any point on BC such that PQ is the resultant of the vectors AP, PB and PC ,
then show that Q is a fixed point. (4 marks)
uuur uur A
A . We have PQ = AP + PB + PC = AB + PC
uur uur uuur
⇒ AB = PQ − PC = PQ + CP = CP + PQ = CQ .
∴ AB = CQ and AB || CQ P
B C
Hence, ABQC is a parallelogram.
Therefore, Q is a fixed point.

r r r r
Q
Q.2 If a = 2iˆ + jˆ + kˆ , b = ˆi + 2jˆ − kˆ and a unit vector ĉ be coplanar. If c is perpendicular to a , then prove that

r 1
c = ( −ˆj + kˆ) (4 marks)
2
r r r r r r
A . As c is coplanar with a and b , we take, c = α a + β b .....(1)
where α, β are scalars.
r r r r
As c is perpendicular to a , c . a = 0
r r r r r r r r r
From equation (1), c = α a + β b ⇒ c . a = α a . a + β b . a
r r r r r r
0 = α a . a + β b . a [∵ c.a = 0 ].
r r r r
Now, a . a = 4 + 1 + 1 = 6 And b . a = 2 + 2 – 1= 3
∴ 0 = α( 6) +β(3) = 3(2α + β) ⇒ β = − 2α.
r r r
∴ c = α ( a – 2 b ) = α (–3 ˆj + 3 k̂ ) = 3α (– ˆj + k̂ )
r r
⇒ | c |2 = 9α 2 (1 +1) = 18α2 ⇒ 1 =18 α2 [∵ c = 1 ]

1 r 1 r 1
⇒ α=± ∴ c=± ( − ˆj+ k).
ˆ
Thus, we may take c = ( − ˆj + k).
ˆ
3 2 2 2
Q.3 The position vector of A and B are 2î + 2 ĵ + k̂ and 2î + 4ˆj + 4 k̂ . Show that the length of the internal bisector

136
of ∠BOA of triangle AOB is units. (4 marks)
9

A. We have, OA =| 2î + 2 ĵ + k̂ |= 3 ;OB =| 2î + 4 ĵ + 4k̂ |= 6

Since the internal bisector divides opposite side in the ratio of adjacent sides
AC 3 1
∴ = = ,
BC 6 2
 where OC is the bisector of ∠BOA . B
∴ Position vector of C is
2( 2î + 2ˆj + k̂) + (2î + 4ˆj + 4k̂) 2î + 8 ĵ + 2k̂
= C
2 +1 3

8 64 136
∴ OC = 2iˆ + ˆj + 2kˆ = 4 + +4 = units. O A
3 9 9
r r r
Q.4 The length of the altitude through vertex C of a triangle ABC, with position vectors of vertices a , b, c
r r r r r r
b× c + c× a + a × b
respectively is r r (4 marks)
b −a

A. Let CM be the altitude through C.

C(c)

B(b)
A(a) M

1 1
Then area of triangle ABC = ( AB)( CM ) = | b − a | CM ....(1)
2 2
1 1
Again area of triangle ABC = | AB × AC |= | (b − a ) × ( c − a ) |
2 2
1
= | b ×c + c × a + a ×b ) | ...(2)
2

| b ×c +c ×a + a ×b ) |
From (1) and (2), CM =
|b −a |

Q.5 The vector c directed along the bisectors of the angle between the vectors a = 7 î − 4ˆj − 4 k̂ ,
r
b = −2 î − ˆj + 2 k̂ and | c |= 3 6 is given by î − 7 ĵ + 2k̂ . Show that c = iˆ − 7 ˆj + 2kˆ (4 marks)

A. Let ˆa and ˆb be unit vectors along a and b respectively,,

OQ = PQ = λ (say); OP = OQ + QP ; c = λ â + λ b̂ P(λ(a+b))
b
1 1
then â = ( 7î − 4ˆj − 4k̂) and b̂ = ( −2î − ˆj + 2k̂)
9 3
The required vector
O Q
c = λ (â + b̂ ) , where λ is a scalar a
OQ = PQ
 1 7 2 
= λ î − ĵ + k̂ 
9 9 9 

 1 49 4  54 2 54 2
| c |2 = λ2  + + = λ ⇒ (3 6 )2 = λ ⇒ λ 2 = 81 ⇒ λ = ± 9 . Hence, c = ( î − 7 ĵ + 2 k̂ )
 81 81 81  81 81