Vector

Theory Notes - Vector

1. DEFINITION
A scalar is a quantity, which has only magnitude but does not have a direction. For example time,
mass, temperature, distance and specific gravity etc. are scalars.
A Vector is a quantity which has magnitude, direction and follow the law of parallelogram
(addition of two vectors). For example displacement, force, acceleration are vectors.

(a) There are different ways of denoting a vector : a or a or a are different ways. We use for
  
our convenience a , b, c etc. to denote vectors, and a, b, c to denote their magnitude.
 
Magnitude of a vector a is also written as | a | .

(b) A vector a may be represented by a line segment OA and arrow gives direction of this
vector. Length of the line segment gives the magnitude of the vector.

O A

n
Here O is the initial point and

.i
A is the terminal point of OA
ps
2. ADDITION OF TWO VECTORS
  
Let OA  a , AB  b and OB  c .
te

   
Here c is sum (or resultant) of vectors a and b . It is to be noticed that the initial point of b
 
ys

coincides with the terminal point of a and the line joining the initial point of a to the terminal point
  
of b represents vector a  b in magnitude and direction.
ud

B
t
.s

c = ab
b
w

O
ww

a A

2.1 PROPERTIES :
   
(i) ab  ba, (Vector addition is commutative)
     
(ii) a  ( b  c )  (a  b )  c , (Vector addition is associative)
     
(iii) | a  b || a |  | b | , equality holds when a and b are like vectors
     
(iv) | a  b |  || a |  | b || , equality holds when a and b are unlike vectors
    
(v) a 0  a  0a
    
(vi) a  ( a )  0  ( a )  a

3. TYPE OF VECTORS
(i) Equal Vectors
'
 Vector
Two vectors are said to be equal if and only if they have equal magnitudes and same
A B
AB = CD
direction. C D
As well as direction is same
(ii) Zero Vector (null vector)
A vector whose initial and terminal points are same, is called the null vector. For example

AA . Such vector has zero magnitude and no direction, and denoted by 0 .

AB  BC  CA  AA or AB  BC  CA  0
C

A B
(iii) Like and Unlike Vectors

n
Two vectors are said to be

.i
(a) Like, when they have same direction.

 
ps
(b) Unlike, when they are in opposite directions. a and – a are two unlike vectors as
 
their directions are opposite, a and 3 a are like vectors.
te

(iv) Unit Vector

ys

A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude is unity. We write, unit vector in the direction of

a
ud

a as â . Therefore â   .
|a|
t

(v) Parallel vectors

.s

Two or more vectors are said to be parallel, if they have the same support or parallel
support. Parallel vectors may have equal or unequal magnitudes and direction may be
w

same or opposite. As shown in figure

ww

O a
A
b
C B
c
E D
(vi) Position Vector
If P is any point in the space then the vector OP is called position vector of point P ,
where O is the origin of reference. Thus for any points A and B in the space,
AB  OB  OA

(vii) Co-initial vectors

Vectors having same initial point are called co-initial vectors. As shown in figure:
Here OA, OB, OC and OD are co-initial vectors.
Vector

D A

d a

C O B
c b

Drill Exercise - 1

 
1. If a , b are any two vectors, then give the geometrical interpretation of the relation;
   
|ab|  |ab|

2. If the sum of two unit vectors is a unit vector, prove that the magnitude of their difference is 3 .

3. If G is the centroid of the triangle ABC and if G is the centroid of another triangle ABC then prove

n
that : AA + BB + CC = 3GG

4.
.i
P, Q, R are the points on the sides AB, BC and CA respectively of ABC such that
ps
AP : PB = BQ : QC = AR : RC = 1 : 2. Show that PBQR is a parallelogram.
te

5. If O is the circumcentre and P the orthocentre of ABC, prove that

(i) OA + OB + OC = OP (ii) PA + PB + PC = 2 PO
ys

4. MULTIPLICATION OFVECTOR BY SCALARS :

ud

  
If a is a vector and m is a scalar, then m a is a vector parallel to a whose modulus is | m | times that
  
t

of a . This multiplication is called Scalar Multiplication. If a and b are vectors and m, n are
.s

scalars, then :
     
m( a ) = ( a )m = m a m(n a ) = n(m a ) = (mn) a
 
w

    
(m + n) a = m a + n a m( a + b ) = m a + m b
ww

Illustration 1:
 
If a and b are the vectors determined by two adjacent sides of a regular hexagon, what are the
vectors determined by the other sides taken in order?

Solution:
 
OABCDE is a regular hexagon. Let OA  a and AB  b . Join OB and OC
We have D C
 
OB  OA  AB  a  b
E B
Since OC is parallel to AB and double of AB.
b
O A
a
'
 Vector


 OC  2AB  2b
    
Now BC  OC  OB  2b  (a  b)  b  a
 
CD  OA  a and DE   AB   b
   
Also EO  BC  (b  a )  a  b

Drill Exercise - 2

1. Find a vector of magnitude (5/2) units which is parallel to the vector 3 î + 4 ˆj .

2. Given three points whose position vectors are x î  yˆj  zk̂ , î  zˆj and  î  ˆj . Find the condition for
the points to be collinear.

     

n
3. If c = 3 a + 4 b and 2 c = a – 3 b , show that
   

.i
(i) c and a have the same direction and | c | > | a |
   
ps
(ii) c and b have opposite direction and | c | > | b |
te

4. A particle, in equilibrium, is subjected to four forces then find U, V and W.

    4  12  3     4  12  3  
F2  U i  j  k  , F3  V  i  j  k
ys

F1  10 k ,
 13 13 13   13 13 13 
  4  12  3  
ud


F3  V  i  j  k  , F = W(cos  i + sin  j ), find U, V and W.
 13 13 13  4
t

  
.s

5. Let r1 , r2 , . . . , rn be the position vectors of point P1, P2, . . . Pn relative to an origin O. Show that
  
w

if the vector equation a1 r1 + a2 r2 + . . . + an rn = 0 holds, then a similar equation will also hold good
ww

with respect to any other origin if a1 + a2 + . . . + an = 0.

5. LINEAR COMBINATIONS :
      
Given a finite set of vectors a , b , c ,...... then the vector r  xa  yb  zc  ........ is called a
  
linear combination of a , b , c ,...... for any x, y, z ..... R . We have the following results:

     
(i) If a , b are non zero, non-collinear vectors then xa  yb  x' a  y' b  x  x' ; y  y'

 
(ii) FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM : Let a , b be non zero , non collinear vectors . Then any
  
vector r coplanar with a , b can be expressed uniquely as a linear combination of
    
a , b i.e. There exist some unique x,y R such that xa  yb  r .
Vector
  
(iii) If a , b , c are non-zero, non-coplanar vectors then :
     
xa  yb  zc  x' a  y' b  z' c  x  x' , y  y' , z  z'

  
(iv) FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM IN SPACE : Let a , b , c be non-zero, non-coplanar vectors

in space . Then any vector r , can be uniquely expressed as a linear combination of
      
a , b , c i.e. There exist some unique x,y  R such that xa  yb  zc  r .
  
(v) If x1 , x 2 ,...... x n are n non zero vectors, & k 1, k2, .....kn are n scalars & if the
  
linear combination k1x1  k 2 x 2 ........ k n x n  0  k1  0, k 2  0..... k n  0 then
  
we say that vectors x1 , x 2 ,...... x n are LINEARLY INDEPENDENT VECTORS .
  
(vi) If x1 , x 2 ,...... x n are not LINEARLY INDEPENDENT then they are said to be
  
LINEARLY DEPENDENT vectors . i.e. if k1x1  k 2 x 2  ........  k n x n  0 & if
  
there exists at least one kr ¹ 0 then x1 , x 2 ,...... x n are said to be LINEARLY DEPENDENT

n
    
Note 1 : If kr ¹ 0 ; k1x1  k 2 x 2  k 3x 3  .......  k r x r  ......  k n x n  0

.i
     
 k r x r  k 1x1  k 2 x 2  .......  k r 1 . x r 1  k r 1 . x r 1 ...... k n x n
ps
1  1  1  1  1 
k r x r  k1 x1  k 2 x 2  ..... k r 1 . x r 1 ..... k n xn
kr kr kr kr kr
te

     
x r  c1x1  c 2 x 2 ...... c r 1x r 1  c r x r 1 ...... c n x n

ys

i.e. x r is expressed as a linear combination of vectors .

    
x1 , x 2 ,.......... x r 1 , x r 1 ,........... x n
ud

     
Hence x r with x1 , x 2 ,.... x r 1 , x r 1 .... x n forms a linearly dependent set of vectors .
t

Note 2 :
 
.s

(i) If a = 3i + 2j + 5k then a is expressed as a LINEAR COMBINATION of vectors i, j, k.


Also, a , i, j, k form a linearly dependent set of vectors . In general , every set of four
w

vectors is a linearly dependent system.

ww

(ii) i , j , k are LINEARLY INDEPENDENT set of vectors. For

K1i + K2j + K3k=0 K1= 0= K2= K3.

Illustration 2:
        
Show that the vectors 5a  6b  7 c, 7a  8b  9c and 3a  20b  5c are coplanar
  
(where a , b, c are three non-coplanar vectors).
    
Solution : Let A  5a  6b  7c , B  7a  8b  9c and C  3a  20b  5c
A, B and C are coplanar  x A  yB  zC  0 must have a real solution for x, y,, z
other than (0, 0, 0).
         
Now x (5a  6b  7 c )  y(7a  8b  9c )  z (3a  20b  5c )  0
   
 (5x  7 y  3z )a  (6 x  8 y  20z ) b  (7 x  9 y  5z ) c  0
5x + 7y + 3z = 0
'
 Vector
6x – 8y + 20 z = 0
  
7x + 9y + 5z = 0 (As a , b, c are non-coplanar vectors)

5 7 3
Now D = 6  8 20  0
7 9 5
So the three linear simultaneous equation in x, y and z have a non-trivial solution.
Hence A, B and C are coplanar vectors.

Drill Exercise - 3

1. Show the vectors î  ĵ , ĵ  k̂ and k̂  î are linearly independent.

2. Show that the vectors î  3ˆj  2k̂ , 2î  4 ĵ  k̂ and 3î  2ˆj  k̂ are linearly independent.

     

n
3. The base vectors a1 , a 2 , a 3 are given in terms of base vector b1 , b 2 , b 3 :

.i
           
a1 = 2 b1 + 3 b 2 – b 3 , a 2 = b1 – 2 b 2 + 2 b 3 and a 3 = –2 b1 + b 2 – 2 b 3
ps
       
If F = 3 b1 – b 2 + 2 b 3 , express F in terms of a1 , a 2 , a 3 .
te

  
4. If a = î  ĵ  k̂ , b = 4î  3ˆj  4k̂ and c = î   ĵ   k̂ are linearly dependent vectors and
ys


| c | = 3 then find the value of and 
ud

  
5. If a , b, c are non zero non coplanar vectors determine whether the vectors :
t

        
.s

r1 = 2 a – 3 b + c , r2 = 3 a – 5 b + 2 c and r3 = 4 a – 5 b + c are linearly independent or

dependent.
w
ww

6. COLLINEARITY AND COPLANARITY OF POINTS

  
(a) The necessary and sufficient condition for three points with position vectors a , b and c to
   
be collinear is that there exist scalars x, y, z, not all zero, such that , where xa  yb  zc  0 .
   
(b) The necessary and sufficient condition for four points with position vectors a , b, c and d
to be coplanar is that then exist scalars x, y, z and u, not all zero, such that , where
    
xa  yb  zc  ud  0 .

Illustration 3:
Let 'O' be the point of intersection of diagonals of a parallelogram ABCD. The points M, N, K and P
are the mid points of OA, MB, NC and KD respectively. Show that N, O and P are collinear.

Solution :
Vector

D C

P
K

O
M

N
A B

  
Let O  (o), A (a ), B( b)

 a   
b
a a  2 b
Now M  , N  2 
2 2 4
 
ab   
a
 3a

n
2 b
K 4 

.i
2 8

 2b  3a
ps
b  
8  6b  3a
P 
te

2 16
3  
OP   ( 2b  a )
ys


16

 
ud

1  1
Also, ON  (a  2b)   OP
4 6
t

Hence points N, O and P are collinear.

.s

Drill Exercise - 4
w

      
ww

1. Prove that the three points a  2b  3c , 2a  3b  4c and  7b  10c are collinear..

 
2. If a and b are non collinear vectors, find the value of x for which vectors :
     
  ( x  2)a  b and   (3  2 x )a  2b are collinear..

    
3. If a , b, c are three non zero vectors, no two of which are collinear and the vector a  2b is collinear

'
 Vector
      
with c and b  3c is collinear with a , then find the vector a  2b  6c .

           
4. Prove that the four points 2a  2b  c , a  2b  3c , 3a  4b  2c and a  6b  6c are non
  
coplanar, where a , b , c are non-coplanar vectors.

5.

Prove that if cos 1, cos  1, anc cos  1, then the vectors, a = î cos + ˆj + k̂ ,
 
b = î + ˆj cos + k̂ , c = î  ĵ  k̂ cos can never be coplanar. where cos, cos, cos  are
positive.
7. SECTION FORMULA
  
Let A, B and C be three collinear points in space having position vectors a , b and r .

A (x1, y1, z1)

n
C (x, y, z)
a

n
m

.i
r B (x 2, y 2, z 2)
ps
O b
te

AC n
Let 
CB m
ys

or, m AC = n CB
ud

or, m AC  n CB . . . (i)
(As vectors are in same direction)
t

 
Now, OA  AC  OC  AC  r  a . . . (ii)
.s

   
r  CB  b  CB  b  r . . . (iii)
 
w

 ma  nb
ww

Using (i), we get r 

mn

Drill Exercise - 5

 
1. If a and b be the position vectors of points A and B respectively, find the position vector of point C
in AB produced such that AC = 3 AB .

2. Prove, by vector method that the internal bisectors of the angles of a triangle are concurrent.

       
3. If a , b , c , d be the position vectors of points A, B, C, D respectively and b  a = 2(d  c) , show
that the point of intersection of the straight lines AD and BC divides these lines in the ratio 2 : 1.
Vector
  
4. a , b , c are the position vectors of the vertices of a triangle, then prove that the position vector of its
  
abc
centroid is  .

 3 

5. ABC is a triangle, the point P is on side BC such that 3 BP = 2 PC , the point Q is on the line CA
such that 4 CQ = QA . Find the ratio which the line joining the common point R of AP and BQ and
the point S divides AB .

8. ORTHOGONAL SYSTEM OF UNIT VECTORS

Let OX, OY and OZ be three mutually perpendicular straight lines. Given any point P(x, y, z) in
space, we can construct the rectangular parallelepiped of which OP is a diagonal and
OA = x, OB = y, OC = z.
Here A, B, C are (x, 0, 0), (0, y, 0) and (0, 0, z) respectively and L, M, N are (0, y, z),(x, 0, z) and
(x, y, 0) respectively.

n
Y

.i
B N ps
P (x, y, z)
te

O X
A
ys

C M
ud

Z
Let î , ĵ, k̂ denote unit vectors along OX, OY and OZ respectively..
t


We have r  OP  xî  yĵ  zk̂ as OA  xî , OB  yĵ and OC  zk̂ .
.s

ON  OA  AN
w

OP  ON  NP
ww

So,

OP  OA  OB  OC NP  OC, AN  OB 

r  | r |  | OP |  x 2  y 2  z 2

 r x î  yĵ  zk̂ 
 r     î  mĵ  nk̂  r  r î  mrĵ  nrk̂
|r| x 2  y2  z2

x
  cos   (where  is the angle between OP and x-axis)
x 2  y2  z2

y
m  cos   (  is the angle between OP and y-axis)
x 2  y2  z2

'
 Vector

z
n  cos   (  is the angle between OP and z-axis)
x  y2  z2
2

, m, n are defined as the direction cosines of the line OP and x, y, z are defined as direction
ratios of the line OP.
If P  (x1, y1, z1) and Q  (x2, y2, z2) then PQ  ( x 2  x1 )î  ( y 2  y1 ) ĵ  (z 2  z1 )k̂

Therefore PQ = ( x 2  x1 ) 2 ( y 2  y 2 ) 2 ( z 2  z1 ) 2
Hence direction ratios of the line through P and Q are x2 - x1, y2 - y1 and z2 - z1 and its direction
x 2  x1 y 2  y1 z z
cosines are , and 2 1 .
PQ PQ PQ
8.1 Some properties of Direction cosines and ratios

(i) r , mr , nr are the projection of r on x, y and z-axis.

(ii) r   î  mˆj  nk̂

n
(iii)  2  m 2  n 2  1

.i
 m n
(iv) If a, b and c are three real numbers such that   , then a, b, c are the direction ratios
a b c
ps
of the line whose direction cosines are , m and n .
te

Drill Exercise - 6
ys

1. If OP = 2î  3ˆj  k̂ and OQ = 3î  4ˆj  2k̂ find the modulus and direction cosines of PQ .
ud

       
2. The position vectors of the points P, Q, R and S are respectively i  j  k , 2 i  5 j , 3 i  2 j  3k
t
.s

   1
and i  6 j  k , prove that the lines PQ and RS are parallel and the ratio of their length is .
2
w
ww

3. A triangle has vertices (1, 2, 4), (–2, 2, 1) and (2, 4, –3). Prove that the triangle is right-angled and
find its other angles.

    
4. What is the unit vector parallel to a  2 i  4 j  2k ? What vector should be added to a so that the

resultant is a unit vector i ?

5. A vector V is inclined at equal angles to OX, OY and OZ. If the magnitude of V is 6 units,
find V .

9. SCALAR PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS (DOT PRODUCT)

   
The scalar product, a.b of two non-zero vectors a and b is defined as | a | | b | cos  , where  is
angle between the two vectors, when drawn with same initial point.
Note that 0     .
Vector
  
If at least one of a and b is a zero vector, then a.b is defined as zero.

9.1 PROPERTIES :
 
(i) a.b  b.a (scalar product is commutative)
  
(ii) a 2  a.a  | a |2  a 2
    
(iii) ( ma ).b  m(a.b)  a ( mb) (where m is a scalar)

 a.b 
(iv)   cos    
1

| a |.| b |

    
(v) a.b  0  Vectors a and b are perpendicular to each other.. [ a , b , are non-zero vectors].

(vi) î.ˆj  ˆj.k̂  k̂.î  0

    
(vii) a.( b  c )  a.b  a.c

n
       

.i
(viii) (a  b).(a  b)  | a |2  | b |2  a 2  b 2
  
ps
(ix) Let a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3k̂, b  b1î  b 2 ĵ  b 3k̂ Then a.b  (a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3k̂ ).(b1î  b 2 ĵ  b 3k̂ )
   
te

(x) Maximum value of a . b = |a | |b |

   
ys

(xi) Minimum value of a . b = – |a | |b |

   
(xii)
 
e j e j d i
Any vector a can be written as, a = a. i i  a. j j  a. k k .
t ud

9.2 Algebraic projection of a vector along some other vector :

.s

B
w
ww


 a.b  b
ON  OB cos   | b |    â.b
| a || b |
 A
O a
Illustration 4:
Prove that the angle in a semi-circle is a right angle.
Solution:
Let O be the centre and AB the bounding diameter of the semi-circle. Let P be any point on the

'
 Vector

circumference. With O as origin.

B O A

Let OA  a , OB  a and OP  r
Obviously OA = OB = OP, each being equal to radius of the semi-circle.
AP  r  a and BP  r  (a )  r  a

 AP.BP  (r  a ).(r  a )  r 2  a 2 = OP2 – OA2 = 0

 AP and BP are perpendicular to each other, i.e., APB  90 0 .

Drill Exercise - 7

n
     
1. Find the cosine of the angle between the vectors p and q such that 2p  q  î  ĵ , p  2q  î  ˆj .

      .i   
ps
2. If | a | = 3, | b | = 1, | c | = 4 and a  b  c = 0, find the value of a.b  b.c  c.a .


te


3. If the vectors a = (c log2x) î  6ˆj  3k̂ and b = (log2x) î  2 ĵ + (2c log2x) k̂ make an obtuse angle
for any x (0, ). Then determine the interval to which ‘c’ belongs.
ys

4. Show that the median to the base of an isosceles triangle perpendicular to base.
ud


t

5. Let  = 4î  3 ĵ and  be two vectors perpendicular to each other in the xy-plane. Find all the

.s


vectors in the same plane having the projections and 1 and 2 along  and  respectively..
w
ww

10. VECTOR (CROSS) PRODUCT

 
The vector product of two non-zero vectors a and b , whose modules are a and b respectively, is
 
the vector whose modulus is ab sin  , where (0    ) is the angle between vectors a and b .
     
Its direction is that of a vector n perpendicular to both a and b , such that a , b, n are in
right-handed orientation.

b

O
a
 
By the right-handed orientation we mean that, if we turn the vector a into the vector b through the

angle  , then n points in the direction in which a right handed screw would move if turned in the
       
same manner. Thus a  b  | a | | b | sin  n̂ . If at least one of a and b is a zero vector, then a  b
is defined as the zero vector.
Vector

10.1 PROPERTIES :
   
(i) a  b  ( b  a )
     
(ii) ( ma )  b  m(a  b)  a  ( mb) (where m is a scalar)
    
(iii) a  b  0  vectors a and b are parallel.
 
(provided a and b are non-zero vectors).

(iv) î  ĵ  ĵ  ĵ  k̂  k̂  0
(v) î  ˆj  k̂  (ˆj  î ), ˆj  k̂  î  ( k̂  ˆj), k̂  î  ˆj  ( î  k̂ )
      
(vi) a  (b  c)  a  b  a  c
 
(vii) Let a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3k̂ and b  b1î  b 2 ĵ  b 3k̂ , then

î ĵ k̂
 
a  b  a1 a2 a3

n
= ˆi(a 2 b3  a 3b2 )  ˆj(a 3b1  a1b3 )  k(a
ˆ b a b )
1 2 2 1

.i
b1 b2 b3

 
ps
|ab|
(viii) sin     . (Note : we cannot find the value of  by using this formula)
| a || b |
te

1 1 1  
(ix) Area of triangle = ap  ab sin   | a  b |
ys

2 2 2
B
ud

b
P
t


.s

O A
a
 
w

(x) Area of parallelogram = ap  ab sin  | a  b | .

ww

B C

b
p

O A
a
   
(xi) a x b  b x a (not commutative)
 
  axb
(xii) Unit vector perpendicular to the plane of a & b is n     .
axb

 
(xiii)
  r a xb
A vector of magnitude ‘r’ & perpendicular to the plane of a & b is    .
 
axb

'
 Vector

  1  
(xiv) Area of any quadrilateral whose diagonal vectors are d1 & d 2 is given by d1 x d 2 .
2
   
    2 2   a .a a .b
(xv) Lagranges Identity : for any two vectors a & b ;(a x b)2  a b  (a . b)2      .
a .b b.b
Illustration 5:
If a, b, c be three vectors such that a + b + c = 0, prove that a × b = b × c = c × a and deduce the
sin A sin B sin C
sine rule   .
a b c

Solution :
Let BC, CA, AB represent the vectors a, b, c respectively..
Then, we have

- A A

n
.i
c b
ps
B - C
te

C
- B a
ys

a + b + c = 0,
==> c = - (a + b)
ud

==> b × c = b × (- a - b)
=-b×a=a×b
t

Similarly, c × a = a × b
.s

Hence, b×c=c×a=a×b
==> bc sin(   A )  ca sin(   B)  ab sin(   C) ==> bc sin A = ca sin B = ab sin C
w
ww

sin A sin B sin C

==>  
a b c

Drill Exercise - 8

1
1. Show that a unit vector perpendicular to each of the vectors 3î  ˆj  2k̂ and 2î  2 ĵ  4k̂ is
3
2
( î  ˆj  k̂ ) and the sine of the angle between them is .
7
Vector

       
2. Let a , b, c be unit vectors such that ; a.b  a.c  0 and the angle between b and c is ; prove that
6
  
a = ±2 ( b  c ) .

  
3. If a , b, c are position vectors of the vertices A, B, C of a triangle ABC, show that the area of triangle
1         
ABC is | a  b  b  c  c  a | . Deduce the condition for points a , b, c to be collinear..
2

4. Find the moment about the point î  2ˆj  3k̂ of a force represented by î  ĵ  k̂ acting through the
point 2î  3ˆj  k̂ .

5. Find the length of perpendicular from the point A(1, 4, –2) to the line joining (2, 1, –2) and (0, –5, 1).

11. SCALAR TRIPLE PRODUCT ( BOX PRODUCT )

n
  

.i
The scalar triple product of three vectors a , b and c is defined as
       
(a  b).c = | a | | b | | c | sin  cos  where  is the angle between a & b &  is the angle
ps
     
between a x b & c . It is also defined as [ a b c ]

te

 
Let a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3k̂, b  b1î  b 2 ĵ  b 3k̂, c  c1î  c 2 ĵ  c3k̂
ys

î ĵ k̂
  a a3 a a3 a a2
Then a  b  a1 a 3  î 2  ĵ 1  k̂ 1
ud

a2
b2 b3 b1 b3 b1 b2
b1 b2 b3
t

a1 a2 a3
.s

   a a3 a1 a3 a1 a2
(a  b).c  c1 2  c2  c3  b1 b 2 b3
b2 b3 b1 b 3 b1 b 2
w

c1 c2 c3
ww

                 
Therefore (a  b).c  ( b  c ).a  ( c  a ).b  ( b  a ).c  ( c  b).a  (a  c ).b
        
Note that (a  b).c  ( b  c ).a  a.( b  c ) , hence in scalar triple product dot and cross are
     
interchangeable. Therefore we denote (a  b).c by [a b c ] .

11.1 PROPERTIES
  
(i) | (a  b).c | represents the volume of the parallelepiped, whose adjacent sides are
  
represented by the vectors a , b and c in magnitude and direction. Therefore three

a1 a2 a3
     
vectors a , b, c are coplanar if and only if [a b c ] = 0. i.e., b1 b2 b3  0
c1 c2 c3
1  
(ii) Volume of the tetrahedron = | [(a b c ] | .
6
'
 Vector
      
(iii) [a  b c d ]  [a c d ]  [ b c d ]
 
(iv) [a a b ]  0 .
(v) In a scalar triple product the position of dot & cross can be interchanged i.e.
            
a . ( b x c )  (a x b ). c OR [ a b c ]  [ b c a ]  [ c a b ]
       
(vi) a . (b x c)   a .( cx b) i. e. [ a b c ]   [ a c b ]

a a a
   
1 2 3

(vii) a c
If = a1i+a2j+a3k ; b = b1i+b2j+b3k & = c1i+c2j+c3k then [a b c]  b 1 b 2 b 3 .
c1 c2 c3
           
In general, if a  a 1 l  a 2 m  a 3 n ; b  b1 l  b 2 m  b 3 n & c  c1 l  c2 m  c3 n then

a1 a2 a3
   
  a b c  b1 b2 b3  l m n  
; where  , m & n arenon coplanar vectors .
c1 c2 c3
   

n
(viii) If a , b , c are coplanar  [ a b c ]  0 .


.i
(ix) Scalar product of three vectors, two of which are equal or parallel is 0 i.e. [ a b c ]  0 ,
   
ps
Note : If a , b , c are non - coplanar then [ a b c ]  0 for right handed system &

[ a b c ]  0 for left handed system .
te

(x) [i j k] = 1.
ys

 
[ K a b c ]  K[ a b c ] .
ud

(xi)

    
t

(xii) [(a  b) c d ]  [ a c d ]  [ b c d ] .
.s

(xiv) The volume of the tetrahedron OABC with O as origin & the pv’s of A, B and C being
w

   1 
ww

a , b & c respectively is given by V  [ a b c ]

6
(xv) The position vector of the centroid of a tetrahedron if the pv’s of its angular vertices
    1    
are a , b , c & d are given by [a  b  c  d] .
4
Note that this is also the point of concurrence of the lines joining the vertices to the centroids of
the opposite faces and is also called the centre of the tetrahedron. In case the tetrahedron is
regular it is equidistant from the vertices and the four faces of the tetrahedron.
          

Remember that : a  b b  c c  a = 0
 
 &   
a  b b c ca = 2 a b c . 
Illustration 6:
Prove that the formula for the volume V of a tetrahedron in terms of the lengths a, b and c of three
concurrent edges and their mutual inclinations ,  and  is given by
Vector

1 cos  cos 
V2 = cos  1 cos  .
cos  cos  1

Solution:
Let OABC be the tetrahedron with O as origin. Let a, b, c be the position vectors of A, B, C.

Let a = a1 i + a2 j + a3 k, b = b1 i + b2 j + b3 k, c = c1 i + c2 j + c3 k.

Then
a1 a 2 a3
1 1
V = [a b c]  b1 b 2 b3
6 6
c1 c 2 c3

n
a1 a 2 a3 a1 a2 a3

.i
1
V2 = b1 b 2 b 3  b1 b 2 b3
36
ps
c1 c 2 c3 c1 c2 c3
te

a1  a 2  a 3 a1b1  a 2 b 2  a 3 b 3 a1c1  a 2 c 2  a 3c3

2 2 2

1
a1b1  a 2 b 2  a 3 b 3 b1  b 2  b 3 b1c1  b 2 c 2  b 3c3
2 2 2
=
ys

36
a1c1  a 2 c 2  a 3c3 b1c1  b 2 c 2  b 3c3 c1  c 2  c3
2 2 2
ud

| a2 | a.b a.c
t

1 2
= a.b |b| b.c
.s

36
a.c b.c | c |2
w

a2 a b cos  c a cos 
ww

1
= a b cos  b2 b c cos 
36
c a cos  b c cos  c2

1 cos  cos 
a 2 b 2c 2
= cos  1 cos 
36
cos  cos  1

Drill Exercise - 9

'
 Vector
1. Find the volume of the parallelopiped whose edges are represented by
           
a  2 i  3 j  4k , b  i  2 j  k and c  3 i  j  2k .

2. Find the value of the constant  so that the vectors

           
a  2 i  j  k , b  i  2 j  3k and c  3 i   j  5k are coplanar..

           
3. Examine whether the vectors a  2 i  3 j  2k , b  i  j  2k and c  3 i  2 j  4k form a left
handed or a right handed system.

      
4. If a  b  c and b  c  a , show that a , b, c are orthogonal in pairs. Also show that | c | = | a | and

| b | = 1.

          
5. If a , b, c are any three vectors in space then show ( c  b)  ( c  a ) . ( c  b  a )  [a b c] .

n
12. VECTOR TRIPLE PRODUCT

.i
     
The vector triple product of three vectors a , b and c is defined as a  ( b  c ) . If at least one
    
ps 
a , b and c is a zero vector or b and c are collinear vectors or a is perpendicular to both
        
b and c , only then a  ( b  c )  0 . In all other cases a  ( b  c ) will be a non-zero vector in the
te


plane of non-collinear vectors and perpendicular to the vector a .
        
Thus we can take a  ( b  c )  b  c , for some scalars  and  . Since a  a  (b  c) ,
ys

       
a.(a  ( b  c ))  0   (a.b)  (a.c )  0   (a.c ),   (a.b) , for same scalar  .
ud

         
Hence a  ( b  c )   (a.c ) b  (a.b) c , for any vectors a , b and c satisfying the conditions given
 
t


in the beginning. In particular if we take, a  b  î , c  ˆj , then   1 .
.s

      
Hence a  ( b  c )  (a.c ) b  (a.b) c
w

Illustration 7:
ww

  
For any vector a , prove that î  (a  î )  ˆj  (a  ˆj)  k̂  (a  k̂ )  2a .
 

Solution : [î  (a  î )]  [ˆj  (a  ˆj)]  [k̂  (a  k̂ )]

    
= [( î.î )a  ( î.a ) î ][( î. ĵ)a  ( ĵ.a ) ĵ]  [( k̂.k̂ )a  ( k̂.â ) k̂ ]
    
= a  ( î.a ) î  a  (ˆj.a )ˆj  a  ( k̂.â ) k̂ [ î.î  ˆjˆj  k̂k̂  1]
  
= 3a  [( î.a ) î  (ˆj.a )ˆj  ( k̂.â ) k̂ ]

Let a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3k̂ . Then

î a  î (a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3k̂ )  a 2 î 2  a 2 (î. ĵ)  a 3 (î.k̂ )  a1 (1)  a 2 (0)  a1

Similarly, ĵ.â  a 2 , k̂.a  a 3
   
 L.H.S. = 3a  (a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3k̂ )  3a  a  2a = R.H.S.

Drill Exercise - 10
Vector
              
1. If A  2 i  j  3k , B  i  2 j  k and C   i  j  4k find A  (B  C) .
       
2. Prove that i  (a  i )  j  (a  j )  k̂  (a  k̂ )  2a .
           
3. A, B, C are three vectors given by 2 i  k , i  j  k and 4 i  3 j  7 k . Then find R , which satis-
     
fies the relation R  B  C  B and R . A = 0.
   
4. Show that the points whose position vectors are a , b, c, d will be coplanar if
          
[a b c ] – [a b d ] + [a c d ] – [ b c d ] = 0.

      b  
5. If a , b, c are three unit vectors such that a  ( b  c ) = , find the angles which a makes with b and
2
  
c where b and c being non-parallel.

n
.i
13. RECIPROCAL SYSTEM OF VECTORS
    
Let a , b and c be a system of three non-coplanar vectors. Then the system of vectors a , b and
ps
         
c which satisfies a.a   b.b  c.c  1 and a.b  a.c  b.a   b.c  c.a   c.b  0 , is called the
           
te

reciprocal system to the vectors a , b, c . In term of a , b, c the vectors a , b, c  a , b, c are

     
b  c b   c  a c  a  b
ys


given by a      ,   ,   .
[a b c ] [a b c ] [a b c ]
ud

13.1 PROPERTIES :
t

(i) a.b  a.c  b.a   b.c  c.a   c.b  0

.s

(ii) The scalar triple product [a b c] formed from three non-coplanar vectors a, b, c is the
w

reciprocal of the scalar triple product formed from reciprocal system.

ww

14. SOLVING OFVECTOR EQUATION

Solving a vector equation means determining an unknown vector (or a number of vectors satisfying
the given conditions)
Generally, to solve vector equations, we express the unknown as the linear combination of three non-
coplanar vectors as
        
r  xa  yb  z (a  b) as a , b and a  b are non-coplanar and find x, y, z using given conditions.
Sometimes we can directly solve the given condtions it would be more clear from some examples.

Illustration 8 :
Solve the vector equation :
      
r  b  a  b, r .c = 0 provided that c is not perpendicular to b .
Solution.
We are given;
   
' r b  ab
  
 (r  a)  b  0
 Vector
  
Hence ( r  a ) and b are parallel
  
 r a  t b . . . (i)

and we know r .c = 0,

 taking dot product of (i) by c we get
  
r .c  a.c = t ( b.c )
 
0 – a.c = t ( b.c )

 a.c 
or t = –    . . . (ii)
 b.c 

 from (i) and (ii) solution of r is ;

 =  –  a.c   .
r a  b.c  b

n
.i
Drill Exercise - 11ps
1. Find the set of vectors reciprocal to the set
        
2 i  3 j  k , i  j  2k  i  2 j  2k
te

     
ys

 bc  ca  ab      

2. If a ' =    , b' =    , c' =    then show that a  a ' + b  b' + c  c' = 0, where
[a b c ] [a b c ] [a b c ]
ud

  
a , b, c are non coplanar..
t
.s

     
3. Find vector r if r .a = m and r  b  c , where a.b 0.
w

           
ww

4. Solve for X ; such that A.X = C and A  X  B with C 0, A  O B  O , A  B .

        
5. Solve for vectors A and B , where A  B  a , A  B  b , A.a =1.
Vector
Drill Exercise - 1

1. â  b̂

Drill Exercise - 2

1
1. (3î  4 ĵ) 2. x – 2y = 1
2
65 65
4. U= (1 – 3 cot), V = (1 + 3cot), W = 40 cosec
3 3

Drill Exercise - 3
  
3. F = 2a1  5a 2  3a 3 4.  = ±1, = 1
5. linearly dependent

n
.i
Drill Exercise - 4
ps
1 
2. x=– 3. 0
4
te

Drill Exercise - 5
ys

 
ud

1. 3b  2a 5. 6:1
t

Drill Exercise - 6
.s

 1 7 3  2 1
w

1. 59 ,  59 , 59 , 59  3. sin–1 , sin–1
  3
ww

 
1
24 ( 2î  4 j  2k̂ ) 2 3 î  ˆj  k̂
4. ˆ 5.

Drill Exercise - 7

 4
1. = cos–1    2. –19
 5

 4 
3. c    , 0  5. 2î  ĵ
 3 

'
 Vector
Drill Exercise - 8

      3 26
3. a b  bc  ca  0 4. 3î  3ˆj 5.
7

Drill Exercise - 9

1. 7 2. –4 3. right handed system

Drill Exercise - 10

 
1. 8î  19 ĵ  k̂ 3.  î  8 ĵ  2k̂ 5. ,
2 3

Drill Exercise - 11

n
.i
2î  k̂  8î  3 ĵ  7 k̂  7 î  3 ĵ  5k̂  1   
1. , , 3. r    (a  c  mb)
ps
3 3 3 ab
   
 CA  B  A  (a  b)  a  (b  a )  a (a 2  1)
te

4. X  5. A ,B 
| A |2 a2 a2
ys

SOLVED SUBJECTIVE EXAMPLES

t ud

Example 1:
        
.s

Let a , b and c be non-coplanar vectors. Show that the vectors a  2b  3c,  2a  3b  4c

  
and a  3b  5c are coplanar vectors.
w
ww

Solution :
  
Since a , b and c are non-coplanar, we have
 
[ a.b, c ]  0 . . . . . (i)
           
Let p  a  2b  3c, q  2a  3b  4c and r  a  3b  5c . Then
       
q  r  ( 2a  3b  4c )  (a  3b  5c )
                  
= 6a  b  10a  c  3b  a  15b  c  4c  a  12c  b ( as a  a  b  b  c  c  0)
     
= 3a  b  6a  c  3b  c
     
= 3 [ a  b  2a  c  b  c ]
   
= [ p q r ]  p( q  r )
Therefore
        
= (a  2b  3c ).3(a  2b  2a  c  b  c )
Vector
              
= 3[ a , a , b ]  6[a , a , c ]  [ 3a , b, c ]  6[ b, a , b ]  12[ b, a , c ]
          
 6 [ b, b, c ]  9[ c, a , b ]  18[ c, a , c ]  9[ c, b c ]
  
 as [ a, a, b ] etc. having two 
       
= 12[ a, b, c ]  12[ b, a, c ]  vectors equal are all zero and 
       
 [ c, a, b ]  [ a, b, c ] 
     
 as [ b, a , c ]  b.(a  c) 
          
= 12[ a , b, c ]  12[ b, a , c ]  0    b.(c  a ) 
    
  [ a , b, c ] 
  
Hence, p, q and r are coplanar vectors.

Example 2:

n
The position vectors of the points P and Q are 5î  7ˆj  2k̂ and  3î  3ˆj  6k̂ respectively. A line

.i

 1 is parallel to A  3î  ˆj  k̂ and passes through the point P and a line  2 is parallel to

ps
B  3î  2ˆj  4k̂ and passes through the point Q. A third line  parallel to 2î  7ˆj  5k̂ intersects
lines  1 and  2 . Find the position vectors of the points of intersection.
te

Solution :
ys
ud

A B
2i + 7j – 5k
t

L(x1, y1, z1) M (x2, y2, z2 )

.s

P(5, 7, – 2) (– 3, 3, 6)
Q
w
ww

Let L and M denote the points of intersection of the line  with  1 and  2 .
Since vectors PL and A are collinear
we have
PL  1 A , for some real 1 .
i.e., ( x1  5) î  ( y1  7) ĵ  ( z1  2) k̂  1 (3î  ĵ  k̂ )
x1  5 y1  7 z1  2
    1
3 1 1
 L  (31  5, 7  1, 1  2)
Similarly vectors QM and B are collinear

 OM   2 B , for some real  2
M  (3 2  3, 2 2  3, 4 2  6)
'
 Vector

Again vector LM and 2î  7ˆj  5k̂ are collinear

x 2  x1 y 2  y1 z 2  z1
    3
2 7 5
 3 2  31  8 2 2  1  4 4 2  1  8
    3
2 7 5

 31  3 2  2 3  8 .........(i)

 1  2 2  7 3  4 .........(ii)

and  1  4 2  5 3  8 ..........(iii)

Solving (i), (ii) and (iii) we get 1   2   3  1

n
.i
Hence position vectors of L and M are respectively 2î  8ˆj  3k̂ and ĵ  2k̂ .
Example 3:
ps
Using vector methods for any triangle ABC, prove that c2 = b2 + a2 - 2ab cos C.
te

Solution :
ys

A
ud

B C
t

–C
.s

We have
w

AC  CB  AB
AC  CB. AC  CB  AB.AB
ww

 AC2  CB 2  2AC.CB  AB2

 b2 + a2 - 2ab cos C = c2.

Example 4:
The base BC of a  ABC is divided at D so that mBD = nCD. Show that
mAB2 + nAC2 = mBD2 + nCD2 + (m + n) AD2.

Solution :
Vector

B C
D
With A as origin, let the position vectors of B and C be b and c.
m BD  n DC

 m DB  n DC  0
Now,
   2
 2
AB2  AB  AD  DB  AD 2  DB 2  2AD.DB

 AC  AD  DC   AD  DC
2 2
AC 2 2 2
 2AD.DC
Multiplying by m and n respectively and adding, we get
 

n
mAB2  nAC2  (m  n )AD2  mBD2  nDC2  2AD mDB  n DC

.i
= (m + n) AD2 + mBD2 + nDC2.
Example 5:
ps
If a, b, c are mutually perpendicular vectors of equal magnitude, show that a + b + c is equally
inclined to a, b, c.
te

Solution :
ys

Given that :
b. a = a. b = b .c = c. b = a. c = c. a . . . (i)
ud

and |a|=|b|=|c| . . . (ii)

Now,
t

|a + b + c|2 = (a + b + c). (a + b + c)
.s

= a. a + a. b + a. c + b. a + b. b + b. c + c. a + c. b + c. c
= 3 | a |2
w

|a + b + c| =
ww

3|a|
Let 1 ,  2 , 3 be angles at which a + b + c is inclined to a, b, c respectively, then

(a  b  c).a | a |2 1
cos 1   
|abc| |a| 3| a | 2
3
1
Similarly cos  2  cos 3   1   2  3
3
Example 6:
Determine a unit vector perpendicular to the plane of a and b, where a = 4i + 3j - k and
b = 2i - 6j - 3k. Also obtain sine of the angle between a and b.

Solution :

'
 Vector

i j k
a × b = 4 3 1
2 6 3
= 15 i + 10 j + 30 k
As a × b is the vector perpendicular to the plane of a and b, hence a unit vector perpendicular to
the plane of a and b is
ab  15i  10 j  30k 3 2 6
=    i  j k
|ab| (15)  (10)  (30)
2 2 2 7 7 7
If  be the angle between the vectors, then

|ab| {(15) 2  10 2  (30) 2 }

sin   
| a || b | {4 2  32  (1) 2 } {2 2  (6) 2  (3) 2 }

35 5
= 

n
26 (49) 26

.i
Example 7:
Show that the perpendicular distance of a point whose position vector is a from the plane through
ps
three points with position vectors b, c, d is ([b c d] + [c a d] + [a b d] - [a b c]) / |b × c + c × d + d × b|
te

Solution :
ys

A
ud

h
t
.s

B D
w
ww

C
Let ABCD be the tetrahedron whose vertices A, B, C, D have position vectors a, b, c, d
respectively.
Volume of tetrahedron ABCD
1
= (area BCD)  h
3
where h is the perpendicular distance of A from the plane BCD
3  volume of tetrahedron ABCD
 h= Area of  BCD

1
6

AB, AC, AD 
[b  a , c  a , d  a ]
= 3. 
1 | (c  b )  (d  b ) |
  BC  BD
2
Vector

(b  a ).[(c  a )  (d  a )]
=
| cd  cd  bd |

(b  a ).[c  d  c  a  a  d ]
=
| bc  cd  d b |

[ b c d ]  [ b c a ]  [ b a d ]  [a c d ]
=
| bc  cd  d b |

[ b c d ]  [c a d ]  [a b d ]  [a b c]
=
| bc  cd  d b |
Example 8:
Examine whether the vectors 5a + 6b + 7c, 7a – 8b + 9c and 3a + 20b + 5c,

n
(a, b, c being non-coplanar vectors ) are linearly independent or dependent.

Solution :
.i
ps
If possible, let the linearly dependent. Then there exist scalars x1, x2, x3, not all zero, such that
x1(5a + 6b + 7c) + x2(7a – 8b + 9c) + x3(3a + 20b + 5c) = 0 ...........(i)
te

 (5x1 + 7x2 + 3x3)a + (6x1 – 8x2 + 20x3)b + (7x1 + 9x2 + 5x3)c = 0

As a, b, c are non-coplanar vectors,
ys

 5x1 + 7x2 + 3x3 = 0

6x1 – 8x2 + 20x3 = 0
ud

7x1 + 9x2 + 5x3 = 0

From first two equations, we get
t
.s

x1 x 2 x 3
  k ( say )
2 1 1
w

 x1 = 2k, x2 = – k, x3 = – k
ww

These values also satisfy the third equation

Hence, there exist scalars x1, x2, x3 such that (i) holds. Hence, given vectors are linearly dependent.

Example 9:
The straight line joining the mid-points of two non-parallel sides of a trapezium is parallel to the
parallel sides and half their sum.

Solution :

'
 Vector

Let ABCD be a trapezium with parallel sides AB, CD. A as the origin of reference. Let
AB  b, AD  d ,
So that b, d are the position vectors of the points B and D respectively the mid point A as the origin
of reference.
As DC is parallel to AB, the vector DC must be a product of the vector AB by some scalar t.
Let DC  t AB  tb ........(i)
Now the position vector of C is

n
.i
AC  AD  DC  d  tb
1 1
ps
The position vectors of the mid–points E and F of BC and AD are ( b  d  tb) and d
2 2
respectively.
te

We have
ys

FE  AE  AF
ud

1 1
= (b  d  tb)  d
2 2
t
.s

1 1
= (1  t )b  (1  t )AB
2 2
w

1
 (1  t )
ww

the vector FE is the product of the vector AB by a scalar

2
1
 FE || AB and FE = (1  t )AB
2
Also from (i), we have
DC = t AB
It follows that
AB + DC = (1 + t)AB = 2 EF.

Example 10:
If D, E, F are three points on the sides BC, CA, AB respectively of a triangle ABC such that the
BD CE AF
points D, E, F are collinear, then prove that . .  1 and conversely..
CD AE BF

Solution :
Vector

Let BE, CF at H
Let a, b, c, h be the position vectors of the four points A, B, C, H relative to any origin O of
reference.
These four points being coplanar, there exist four scalars x, y, z, t such that
xa + yb + zc + th = 0, x + y + z + t = 0
xa  zc xa  yb
The position vectors of the points E and F, therefore, are , respectively..
xz xy
xa  zc xa  yb
We now require the position vector of the point D. Writing e  ,f

n
xz xy

.i
and eliminating, a, we have
(x + z) e – (x + y) f = zc – yb,
ps
( x  z)e  ( x  y)f zc  yb
 
( x  z )  ( x  y) zy
te

zc  yb
ys

This equality shows that is the position vector of the point D. Thus
zy
ud

BD z CE x AF x
 ,  , 
CD y EA z FB y
t

BD CE AF
.s

 . . 1
CD EA FB
w

BD CE AF
Conversely, let D, E, F be three points on the sides BC, CA, AB such that . . 1
ww

CD EA FB
BD z CE x AF y
Suppose that  ,   , so that 
CD y AE z BF z
BD z CE x AF y
  ,  , 
DC y EA z EB x
Thus if a, b, c be the position vectors of the vertices A, B, C, then the position vectors of the points
zc  yb xa  zc xa  yb
D, E, F are , , respectively. Denoting these by d, e, f respectively,,
zy xz xy
we obtain – (z – y)d + (x + z)e – (x + y)f = 0, where – (z – y) + (x + z) – (x + y) = 0.
Thus, the points D, E, F are collinear.

Example 11:
Show that the circumcenter, the centroid and the orthocenter of a triangle are collinear and the
'
 Vector
centroid divides the join of the circumcenter and the orthocenter in the ratio 1 : 2.
Solution :
Let O, G, H denote the circumcenter, centroid and orthocenter respectively of a triangle ABC.
Let a, b, c be the position vectors of the vertices A, B, C of the triangle with respect to the
circumcenter O, as the origin of reference.

We have
OA = OB = OC

 a2 = b2 = c2
1
Also the position vector of G is OG  (a  b  c)
3
We have, by (i)
[(a + b + c) – a] . (b – c) = 0,
[(a + b + c) – b] . (c – a) = 0,

n
[(a + b + c) – c] . (a – b) = 0,

So that if H denotes the point with position vector

.i
ps
a + b + c,
We see that
te

HA  BC, H B  CA, HC  AB

So that H is the orthocentre of the triangle ABC
ys

and we have OH  a  b  c
ud

Thus, we have
OH  3 OG
t

 G divides OH in the ratio 1 : 2

.s

Hence the result

w
ww

Example 12:
P, Q are the mid-points of the non-parallel sides BC and AD of a trapezium ABCD. Show that
 APD   CQB .

Solution :

Let AB  b and AD  d
Vector

Now DC is parallel to AB
 there exists a scalar t such, that DC  t AB  t b

 AC  AD  DC  d  t b
1 1
The position vectors of P and Q are ( b  d  tb) and d respectively..
2 2
Now
2  APD  AP  AD
1 1
= (b  d  tb)  d  (1  t ) (b  d )
2 2
1 
= 2  CQB  CQ  CB   d  (d  tb)  [b  (d  tb)]
2 
1

n
=  (1  t )d  b  tb  d
2

.i
1 1
= (1  t )b  d  tb  d  (1  t  2 t )b  d
ps
2 2
1
te

= (1  t )b  d  2  APD
2
ys

Example 13:
Prove that [a  p, b  q, c  r ]  [a  q, b  r , c  p]  [a  r , b  p, c  q ]  0 .
ud

Solution :
t

[a  p, b  q, c  r ]  (a  p).[( b  q )  (c  r )]
.s

= (a  p).[{( b  q ).r}c  {b  q ).c}]

w
ww

= (a  p).{[ b q r ]  [a p r ][ b q c] ..........(i)
Also, [a  q, b  r , c  p]
= ( b  r ).[(c  p)  (a  q )]
= ( b  r ).[{( b  q ).r}c  {( b  q ).c}r ]
= ( b  r ).{[ c p q ]a  [c p a ]q}
= [ b r a ][c p q ]  [ b q r ][a p c] ...........(ii)
[ a  q , b  p, c  q ]
= (c  q ).[(a  r )  ( b  p)]
= (c  q ).[{( a  r ).p}b  {(a  r ).b}p]
= [ c q b ] [ a r p ] – [c q b ] [a r b ] ..........(iii)
Adding (i), (ii) and (iii) the required result follows

'
 Vector
Example 14:
In a  ABC, let M be the mid point of segment AB and let D be the foot of the bisector
Area  CDM
of  C . Then find the ratio of .
Area  ABC
Area  CDM
Solution :
Area  CBA
 
=
1 a b  ba   a  b

2(a  b) ba

1 (a  b) b  a
= 
2(a  b) ba

ab
=
2 (a  b )
sin A  sin B

n
=
2 (sin A  sin B)

AB
2 cos sin
AB
.i
ps
= 2 2
 AB A  B
2  2 sin cos 
 2 2 
te

Example 15:
ys

Prove using vectors that the distance of the circumcenter of the ABC from the centroid
1
ud

is R 2  (a 2  b 2  c 2 ) where R is the circumradius.

9
t

 2 1   2
.s

[ Hint: circumcenter is 'O' OG      

9
w
ww

1  2 2      
2

Solution :         2     2     2    
9 

1

9
3R 2  2R 2 (cos 2A  cos 2B  cos 2C) 
1

9
3R 2  2R 2 (3  2 sin 2 A)
1 2 2 a
2
b2 c2  
 9 R  4 R  2   
9   4R 4 R 2 4 R 2  

SOLVED OBJECTIVE EXAMPLES

Example 1:
If a, b, and c are unit vectors, then |a - b|2 + |b - c|2 + |c - a|2 does not exceed
Vector
(a) 4 (b) 9
(c) 8 (d) 6
Solution :
We have
0  |a + b + c|2 = |a|2 + |b|2 + |c|2 + 2|a. b + b. c + c.a|
= 3 + 2|a. b + b. c + c. a|
So, a. b + b. c + c. a  - 3/2.
Now, |a - b|2 + |b - c|2 + |c - a|2
= 2 (|a|2 + |b|2 + |c|2 - (a. b + a. c + b. c)   2 (3 + 3/2) = 9.
Hence (b) is the correct answer.

Example 2 :
Let a = 2i + j - 2k and b = i + j. If c is a vector such that a. c = |c|, |c - a| = 2 2 and the angle
between a × b and c is 30°, then |(a × b) × c| =
2 3
(a) (b)
3 2

n
(c) 2 (d) 3

.i
Solution : ps
i j k
a × b = 2 1  2 = 2i + 2j + k  |a × b| = 4  4  1 = 3. Also |c - a| = 8
2
te

1 1 0
ys

So, |c|2 + |a|2 - 2a.c = 8  |c|2 + |a|2 - 2 |c| = 8

|c|2 + 9 - 2|c| = 8  |c|2 - 2|c| + 1 = 0
ud

(|c| - 1)2  |c| = 1

1 3
t

Now, |(a × b) × c| = |a × b| × |c| sin 30° = 3.1. 

2 2
.s

Hence (b) is the correct answer.

w

Example 3:
ww

Let v = 2i + j - k and w = i + 3k. If u is a unit vector, then for the maximum value of the scalar triple
product [u v w], u =
1 1
(a) (3î  ĵ  2k̂ ) (b) (2î  ĵ  k̂ )
14 6
1 1
(c) (î  3k̂ ) (d) (3î  7 ĵ  k̂ )
10 59
Solution :
v × w = 3i - 7j - k
Now, [u v w] = u. (3i - 7j - k)

= | u | |3i - 7j - k| cos  (where  is the angle between u and v × w)

= 59 cos 

'
 Vector

1
Thus [u v w] is maximum if cos  = 1 i.e. = 0 or u = (3i - 7j - k)
59
Hence (d) is the correct answer.

Example 4:
Let there be two points A and B on the curve y = x2 in the plane OXY satisfying OA. i = 1 and OB.
i = - 2 then the length of the vector 2OA - 3OB is
(a) 14 (b) 2 51
(c) 3 41 (d) 2 41

Solution :
Let OA = x1i + y1j and OB = x2i + y2j. Since 1 = OA. i = x1 and - 2 = OB. i = x2.
Moreover,
y1 = x12 and y2 = x22 = 4, so
OA = i + j and OB = - 2i + 4j. Hence |2OA - 3OB| = |8i - 10j| = 164 = 2 41

n
Hence (d) is the correct answer.

Example 5 : .i
ps
If A, B, C and D are four points in space satisfying AB. CD = k [|AD|2 + |BC|2 - |AC|2 - |BD|2]
te

then the value of k is

(a) 2 (b) 1/3
(c) 1/2 (d) 1
ys

Solution :
ud

Let A be the origin of reference and let the position vectors of B, C, D be b, c, d. So

t

AB = b, CD = d - c, AD = d, BC = c - b, AC = c and BD = d- b. The L.H.S. is equal to

.s

b.(d - c). The R.H.S is

k[|d|2 + |c - b|2 - |c|2 - |d - b|2]

w
ww

= k[d.d + c.c + b.b - 2c.b - c.c - d.d - b.b + 2d.b]

= 2k[b. (d - c)]. Hence k = 1/2 .

Hence (c) is the correct answer.

Example 6 :
For unit vectors b and c and any non-zero vector a, the value of
{{(a + b) × (a + c)} × (b + c)}. (b + c) is
(a) | a |2 (b) 2| a |2
(c) 3| a |2 (d) none of these.
Solution :
The given expression
= {{a × c + b × a + b × c} × (b × c)}. (b + c)
= {(a × c) × (b × c) + (b × a) × (b × c)}. (b + c)
Vector
= [(a.(b × c))c - (c.(b × c))a + (b.(b × c))a - (a.(b × c)b)]. (b + c)
= [(a. (b × c))(c - b). (b + c)] = (a. (b × c)) [|c|2 - |b|2] = 0 [ |b| = |c| = 1].
Hence (d) is the correct answer.

Example 7 :
Three non-coplanar vectors a, b and c are drawn from a common initial point. The angle between the
plane passing through the terminal points of these vectors and the vector a × b + b × c + c × a is
 
(a) (b)
4 2

(c) (d) none of these.
3
Solution :
Let the terminal points be A, B, C and the common initial point be the origin of reference so that
AB = b - a and AC = c - a. The vector AB × AC is perpendicular to the plane ABC.
AB × AC = (b - a) × (c - a) = b × c + c × a + a × b. Hence the angle between the plane and the given vector

n
is .

.i
Hence (b) is the correct answer.
ps
Example 8 :
If a + b + c = 0 and | a | = 3 | b | = 5 and | c | = - 7, then the angle between a and b is
te

 2
(a) (b)
6 3
ys

 5
(c) (d)
ud

3 3
Solution :
t

a+b+c=0  a+b=-c  (a + b). (a + b) = |c|2.

.s

Thus | a |2 + | b |2 + 2 | a | | b | cos = | c |2, where  is the angle between a and b.

49  9  25 1
w

therefore cos  = 
2 .3 .5 2
ww


 
3
Hence (c) is correct answer.
Example 9 :
   
b gb g 
b g b
Given that x  a . x  a = 8 and x . a = 2, then the angle between x  a & x  a is : g
FG 3 IJ FG 3 IJ
(a) cos 1
H 14 K (b) cos 1
H 21 K
FG 5 IJ
(c) cos 1
H 21 K (d) none of these

 
Solution :  x  a  x  a = 8  x=3

To determine  x  a  we have

'
 Vector
 
 x  a .  x  a
=9+1 4 = 6 so that
 
x  a = 6 and similarly x  a = 14
 
Then  x  a  .  x  a  = 14 x 6 cos 
8= 14 x 6 cos 
4
cos =
21
Example 10 :
  

e j
The vector a  3 b is perpendicular to e7 a  5 b j and ea  4 b j is pernendicular to
   
e j
7 a  2 b . The angle between a & b is :
(a) 30º (b) 45º
(c) 60º (d) none of these

Solution :

n
 

 

Given a  3 b . 7 a  5 b = 0 
.i
 
 7 a2  15 b2 + 16 a . b = 0 ...... (1)
ps
  
 

Also, a 4 b . 7 a  2 b = 0 
te

 
 7 a2 + 8 b2  30 a . b = 0 ...... (2)
ys

    b2
Subtracting,  23 b2 + 46 a . b = 0  a . b =
2
ud

Putting this in (1),

 
7 a2  7 b2 = 0  a  b .
t

 
.s

Thus a . b = ab cos 
w

b2 1
 = b2 cos  cos  =
ww

2 2
or  = 60º .
Example 11 :

Xcomponent of a is twice its Ycomponent . If the magnitude of the vector is 5 2 and
it makes an angle of 135º with zaxis then the vector is :
(a) 2 3 , 3 ,  3 (b) 2 6 , 6 ,  6

(c) 2 5 , 5 ,  5 (d) none of these

Solution :

Let a  2 x i  x j  z k

5 x 2  z2 = 5 2
Vector

z z 1
Also, cos 135º = 2 2
= =
5x  z 5 2 2
 z=5
then x = 5,

The required vector a  2 5 i  5 j  5 k

Example 12:
     
If a . b = a  b , then the angle between a & b is :

(a) 0º (b) 180º

(c) 135º (d) 45º

Solution :
   

n
We have a . b = a  b

   
.i
ps
 a b cos  = a b sin 
te

 cos  = sin  =  = 45º, 135º

ys

Example 13:
 
If the non zero vectors a & b are perpendicular to each other then
ud

  
the solution of the equation, r  a  b is :
t

1    1  
 
e j 
 
.s

(a) r  x a    a  b (b) r  x b    a  b
a.a b.b
  
e j
w

(c) r  x a  b (d) none of these

ww

Solution :
 
Since a , b and are non coplanar
  

 
r  xa  yb  z a  b   ...... (1)
for some scalars x, y, z
  
Now b  r  a
   



b  xa  yb  z a  b    a
   
= x a  a   y  b  a   z a  b  a
  

      
= 0  y  b  a   z a . a  b  a . b  a


'
 Vector
      
  
b  y b  a  z a . a  b  a . b  0
Comparing the coefficients, we get
1
y = 0 and z =  
a . a 
Putting the values of y and z in (1), we get
1  
 
r  xa    a  b
a . a   
Example 14:
  
If a , b & c are non coplanar unit vectors such that
 
   bc  
e
a bc = j 2
, then the angle between a & b is :

3 
(a) (b)
4 4

n


.i
(c) (d) 
2 ps
Solution :
 
 
te

We have

a bc =  bc
2

ys

 
      b c
  
a . c b  a . b c 

2

2
ud

  1     1 
 a . c   b  a . b  c =0
t

 2   2
.s

  1   1
 then a.c = 0 and a . b  =0
w

2 2
ww

  1 
 a.b 
2
 a , b , c are non coplanar
 
Let the angle between a & b be  then
  1
a.b 
2
  1
 a b cos  
2
1
 1 . 1 cos  = 
2
3
 =
4
Vector

Example 15 :
 
Let a & b are two vectors making angle  with each other, then unit vectors along bisector of
 
a & b is :

a  b a  b
(a) ± (b) ±
2 2 cos 

(c) ±
a  b
(d)
ea  bj
2 cos  / 2 a  b

Solution :
Now in  ABC
BD a

DC b

n
 BD = ak, DC = bk

 BC = (a + b) k
.i
ps
(BC)2 = (AB)2 + (AC)2  2AB . AC cos 
te

 (a + b)2 k2 = a2 + b2  2ab cos 

ys

a 2  b 2  2 ab cos
 k2 =
a  b 2
ud

In  ADC and  ABD

t
.s

b 2  AD  b 2 k 2 a 2  AD  a 2 k 2
2 2


w

cos =
2 2 b AD 2 a AD
ww

 (AD)2 = ab (1  k)2

 a 2  b 2  2 ab cos 
 = ab 1   [from (1)]
 a  b 2 

4 a 2 b 2 cos 2 2
=
a  b 2

2 ab cos 2
 AD =
a  b
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 Vector




AD = ±
 a b  b a


a  b

 
a b  a b
=±   
a  b  a b 

=±
ab
a  b 
a  b 



=

AD
= ±
a  b  
AD AD 2 cos 2

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 Vector

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