The Algebra of Vectors and Their Applications

Ian VanderBurgh
ian.vanderburgh@uwaterloo.ca
Director, Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing
Faculty of Mathematics
University of Waterloo

Problems
Here are some problems related to the material from MCV4U. A disclaimer: Not all of these problems
suitable will be suitable for all students or in all classes, but they might be good starting points. You
could try modifying them or choosing a particular cases.
−→ −→ −→
1. Suppose that OQ = 13 OP + 23 OR.
−→ −→
(a) Express P Q in terms of P R only.
(b) Are P , Q and R collinear?

2. M (1, 1, 0), N (−2, 4, 5), and P (3, 2, −1) are the midpoints of the edges of a triangle. Determine
the coordinates of the vertices of the triangle.

3. ABCD is a rhombus. If A is (1, 1, 1), B is (2, 3, 3), C is (3, 1, n) and D is (m, p, r), determine
n, m, p and r.

4. Prove that in any tetrahedron, the four line segments which join the vertices to the centroids of
the opposite faces are concurrent and are divided in the ratio 3 : 1 by the point of concurrency.

5. The triangle with vertices O(0, 0, 0), P (p1 , p2 , p3 ) and Q(q1 , q2 , q3 ) is right-angled at O. Using
the Pythagorean Theorem, prove that p1 q1 + p2 q2 + p3 q3 = 0.

6. If ~u = (u1 , u2 , u3 ) and ~v = (v1 , v2 , v3 ) are vectors in R3 , prove that

u1 v1 + u2 v2 + u3 v3 = k~uk k~v k cos θ

where θ is the angle between ~u and ~v .

7. If ~a · ~b = ~a · ~c for some vector ~a 6= ~0, must ~b = ~c?

8. If ~a · ~b = ~a · ~c for all vectors ~a 6= ~0, must ~b = ~c?

9. For any two vectors ~a and ~b, prove that k~a + ~bk2 + k~a − ~bk2 = 2k~ak2 + 2k~bk2 .

10. If ~a and ~b are perpendicular, express k~ak~b + k~bk~a in terms of ~a and ~b.

11. Show that

(a) (~a + ~b) · (~a − ~b) = k~ak2 − k~bk2

(b) if ~a + ~b is perpendicular to ~a − ~b, then k~ak = k~bk
(c) (~a + ~b) · (~a + ~b) = k~ak2 + 2~a · ~b + k~bk2
(d) (~a − ~b) × (~a + ~b) = 2~a × ~b
(e) k~a × ~bk2 + |~a · ~b|2 = k~ak2 k~bk2
12. Find a vector perpendicular to both (1, 1, 1) and (2, 3, −1).

13. If k~xk = 11, k~y k = 23, and k~x − ~y k = 30, determine k~x + ~y k.

14. If ~a × ~b = ~a, what can we conclude?

15. What does it mean for two planes to be parallel? (How can we tell from their scalar equations?)

16. Prove that the equation of a plane through (a, b, c) and parallel to Ax + By + Cz = D is
Ax + By + Cz = Aa + Bb + Cc.

17. If a, b and c are the intercepts of a plane with the coordinate axes, and p is the length of the
perpendicular from the origin to the plane, show that
1 1 1 1
2
= 2+ 2+ 2
p a b c

18. The points (1, −1, 1), (0, 1, −1), (−1, 0, 0) and (1, 3, m) are coplanar. Determine m.

19. Describe the geometric shape represented by the set of points defined by

(x, y, z) × (1, 2, 3) = (−1, 2, −1)

x−1 y−2
20. Find C so that 2x + 3y + Cz = 8 is parallel to = = z + 1.
2 3
21. Find the equation of a plane containing the points (2, −1, 2) and (3, 0, 1) and perpendicular to
the plane 2x − 3y + z = 2.

22. Find the maximum value of x + 2y + z where x, y, z are restricted by x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 12.

23. Find a vector equation for the line of intersection of the planes 3(x − 2) − y + 4(z + 1) = 0 and
(x − 2) + 6y + 10(z + 1) = 0.