\'ECTOR ALGIBRA

J. l)din t unit ,rctor:

r. The unit \'CCtor in thcdircctionof\'cctor
A; A,·oo C'r" ~ map-11tJdc asonewut is called a t:nit n•.cto
a
ii IS dcnotru by a:mJ a: I :t I-
I I
2. Define collinear, rcton.
sa.'lk! linc, irrcspccti\'e oftheir magnitude
A: Two \'cctm ate said to be coI!mcar ift.~y re ~le i to the
and du'C(.,1Jon.
3. Ddinc nrga tin of a Hctor.
but oprositc diro;tion.is called the
A: The \'octor v. hic.h has the same ma;rutude as ~e \'cct0 r ;;;
ncgati\'c of 'ii'.
4. nnd tht unit , mor on the direction of a= 2i + 3J+ i.

A: The unit , cctor m the direction ofa, cctor a is

Now, ii=2 i+3 j+i and la!= .J22+32+12

;.-; (~l + 3j +i) = ~i + ~ J+~ i

:. a= -yl4
) directed from P to Q:
5. Find the \'Cctor Joining points P(2,3,0) and Q(-1,-2,-4
to origin 'O' arc OP== 2l + 3) and
A: \\'c know that the po~itilin \'C'Ctors of PanJ Q with respect
OQ ,: -i - 2]-4i and the required \'Cctor
lrQ= OQ- oPj

ae-f -~} -4k -( 1f +3})

•c- 3i- 5}- 4i

• A

and xi+ y j are equal

• A

6. I'lnd tht , alur of I and y so that tht , «ton 2 i+ 3 j

are equal.
Ans. If;; unJ h arc C'qual then the corresponding components
X =2, l' =J
2" " 2 • •
i-J.j + k a unit nctor.
7. f'or "bat ulut of J, is tht \ttlo r 3 3

Ans. If~ is a unit \'l~lo r, then I~ =I

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 TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) VECTOR ALGIBR.A

2... . . 2 ·1
3i-Jj +3k =l
1

V9TA. T9 =l

?2 8
+-=l l
II,
A.=±-

8.
9 3
Find the sum of the vectors a=i-2j+ k, b=-2i+4 j+5k and c=i-6j- 7k·
. . .
Ans. The sum of vectors is the sum of their components
the sum of the given vectors a,b,c is
={I-2+ t)i +(-2+4- 6)} +(l+5-7 )k = oi-4}-k= -4}- k
9. If a is a non zero vector of magnitude a and la is a unit vector, find the value of /4
Ans. la is a unit vector

1..i~1 =l

1..i1 l~=l
l

l 0. Find the vector components of the vector with initial point (2,l) and terminal point (-5,7).

Ans. Let A{2,1) B(-5,7)

--
AB= OB -OA = -11 + 6}

:. vector components are - 7i &6}

11. Show tbatthe vectors 2i - 3J+ 4k and -41 + 6J-8k are collinear.
A: Ifthe vectors a,b are such that a=Ah,l e R,then a,b are collinear.

Here -41 +6}-8k =-2(2l-3}-4k)

:. 2i - 3} + k and -4i + 6}-8k are collinear

12. Find the direction cosines of l + 2} + 3k (mar-2014)
A: The components ofi + 2} + 3k are (I, 2, 3)

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TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) VECTOR ALGIBRA
and 11 + 2} +3kj + 22 + 32 =V14
.•. Direction cosines are (~.~. J)
vt4 °Ji4
v14

13. Find the angle between the two vectors~ and b such that 1~1 =l , IEI =l and ah= 1

Ans. 1;1 = 1= jhl

ab=l
Let B be angle between ;; and b then

a.b
B
cos = 1;;1 lbl = 1 Therefore B=O

" I\ I\ I\ I\ I\

14. If the vec~ors 2i+3j-6 k and 4i-mj-1 2k are parallel find m.

Sol.

2 3 -6 1 -3
-=-=-
4 -m -12 2 m

15. Find the position vector of the mid - point of the vectors joining the points P (2, 3, 4),
Q (4,1,-2)
A: The position vector of the mid-point ofline joiningA(a1 , b1., c1) and B ( a 2 , b2 , c2 ) is

the position vector of the mid-point is 3i + 2] +.k

16. If vector AB =2i - J+ k and OB =3i - 4] + 4k . Find the position vector ofA
A:. Gfiven, AB =2i - J+ k

(3/ -4} + 4k)- OA = 21 - } + k

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 TARGET-CENT (Per Centum)
VECTOR ALGIBR,c\
14. Find the unit ~ector in the direction of the vecto r = i +
J+ 2k • (lM) MARca
2018 QP

Ans: Given ~=i + }+2k

,. a
Unit vector in the direction of the vector =a= 1~1
l + J+ 2fc l + 1-: + 2fc
=-;:::::: == -----"-=--
+ 1+ 4

15. Find a valu~ of x for which x(l+ }+k) is a unit vector.(lM) MARCH 2019

Ans: Given x{f + J+ k) is a unit vector

lxi + x] + xkl =I

..Jx 2 + x 2 +x 2 =1

I 1
x =± . :. The required value of x are ±

11. TWO MARK QUESTIONS

1. If the p~sition vectors of the points A and B respectively i+ 2 }- 3k and j-k. Find the
direction cosines of AB .

Ans:
. ,. ,.
Let OA= i+2}- 3k OB= J-k

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TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) I VECTORALGIBRA

AB= OB-O A =(oi + J-i)-(i +2}- 3k)

AB =-li -l} +2k

-1 -1 2 J
DC's of AB ( Ji,' Ji,'

2. Find a vector of magnitude 8 units in the directipn of the

vector =5 i- }+ 2k·
a
Ans: The unit vector in the direction of the vector is ,~,

=5i- j +2k
A A

s(s1-]+21c)
Required vecto r= -----=-.;...

3. H is.aunitvectorsuchthat (i-~) .(i+~ ) =Sfin d lij.

Ans. !aisa unitv ector Ialso (x-a).(~+a)=8
x.x +x.a-a.x-a.a=8[but x.a=a.x]
2
lxl2 -lat = s J
lxl -1 = s [-.· !al = 1

lxl2 = =3

positive direction of the axes.

A

Show that the vector i+ j+ k is equally inclined to the

A A

4.
or
Show that the vector l + J+ k is equally inclined to the axes

Ans: Note that the direction ratios of r =xi+ y} + 2k are and direction cosines are fl, fl, fl
The components ofthe given vector are 1, 1, 1 and jl +} + fcj = + 1+ 1 =

:. Direction cosines ofthe given vector are ( 1•1•1).

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(
TARGET-CENT(PerCentum)
. VECTORALGIBRA
Since the direction cosines are equal, given vector is Inclin
ed equally wtlh lhe axes
5 If - .
• a = 51 - -j - 3k and b- =; + 3j - 5k, show that a+ b- d - b- are perpendicular
an a -
A: Two vectors are perpendicular iftheir scalar (dot) prod
uct is zero
here a+ b =(st - J - 3k) + ( 7+ 3J - sk) = ( 6 f + 2 J
- sf )
a-b =(sl - ]-3 k)-( l +3] -sk)
=(4l -4] + 2k)
Further (a+ b).(a-b) =(6i + 2)-sf).(4i -4] + 2f)

= 6( 4)+ 2(-4 )-8( 2) = 24-8 -16 =24 -24 =0

:. (a+ b) is perpendicular to (a - b)
6. Show that the pointsA(l,2,7), B(2,6,3), C(3,10-1) are
collinear
A: .The pointsA,B,C are collinear if AB = A, AC
or AC=J..AB
here AB =OB -OA =(2l +6] +3k )-(l +2] +3,q

•= (l +4} -4k)
AC= OC- OA = (3l + 10]-k)-(l +2} + 7k) =( 2l
+8} -8k)
= 2 (T + 4 j - 4k) = 2 AB i.eA,BCarecollinear
7. , Find the angle between two vectors i-2j +3k
A /\ A A A /\

and 3i-2 j+k ·

a.b
Ans . . If 0 is the angle between and b then cos 0 = l~l bl
Let =i - 2] + 3 k,
A
- - - -
b =3i -2j+ k

(7-2 ]+3 k){ 3t-2 J+i)

cos0 =
i- 2] +3kAll3i - 2j + kAl
1

cosB= 3+4 +3
1
10
=ii 0 =COS-I (lQ)
ii

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 VECTOR ALGIBRA
TARGET-CENT (Per Centum)
8. Show that (a-b)x(a+b)=2(axb).
xb)
Ans. We have (a-b)x(a +b) =(axa)+(axb)-(b xa)-(b

But laxa=O,-(bxa)=axb,bxb =01

=o+ (ax b) +(ax b)- o= 2(ax b)

- ,. ,. ,. and b=3,.i-2j,.+2k,.
F• d lax bl if a=i
9. in -7 j+7k
A

i } k

The vectoc (croos) prcxloct ofaif +aJ +a_iaoo qi+b}

+b_i is l1i '1i
Ans. q bi

i
.
j k
2l)+ k(-2 +21 )=19 }+1 9k
Weknowthat axb = l -7 7 =i(- 14+ 14)- }(2-
3 -2 2

Now jaxbj = .J192 +192 = .fi6'i. =

10. Find lal and lbl if (a+b). (a-b)=Band lal=81b,.

Ans. (a+b).(a-b)=8 (1)

(2)

-,2 _ 8
b --
1 • 63.

• A I\ A

7i- j+ 8k ·
I\ A /\

11. Find the projection of the vector i+ 3 j+ 7k on the vector

a.b
a
Ans. The projection of on b is given by lbl

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r ·-
TARGET•CENT (Per Ccntum)
VECTOR ALGI.Blt.\
= (1 +3j +1k).(1i-3j +sk)

7-3 +5 6 60
= =

12. Find the area of the parallelogram

whose adjacent sides are the vec
tors 3i + j + 4k and
i-J +k ?
(mar2014)

A: The area of parallelogram with ~, b

as adjacent sides is lax bl
. .. ..
k i j
l
Here \ax b\ = 2 3 1 4 = \i(l +4)- J(3-4)+ k(-
3-t)I
1 -1 1

=\5l+ ]- 4f\
13. If I;+ bl =I;_,;I, prove that and
bar e perpendicular
A. Given l~+bl=l~-b\
S.O.B.S •

,~ + br = i~ -b12
1~r + \bj1 + 2ah = 1;r + lbl 2
- 2a.b

a. and bare perpendicular

14. Find the angle between the vector

s =i+ J- kand b= i + J+ k
A. If 0 is angle between and b,then

;;.b =(l + j-k ).( l +j-k ) =(l)(t)+(t)(t)+(-t)(-

1) =I [ cosO = 1iitb11----(I)
1~1 = +I2 +(-I)2 +I2 +I2
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TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) VECTORALGIBRA

I
cos0=
I
cos0 =-
From(l), 3
B=cos-1 (½)
-, ,-, - - b.
15. Let 1a = 3, b = 3 and lax bl = I , Find the angle between and

A; If 0 is angle between and b , then

I
=--- =-

3
1
=

. 0 . 1(
sm =sm -
4
0= 1(
4

ined by the vectors

16. Find the area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are determ
-;; = i - } + 3k and b= 21 - 7 + k
J
A; [Area ofthe parallelogram whose adjacent sides are
and b is 1-;;xbl ]

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 4
TARGET-CENT (Per Centum)
VECTOR ALGIBRA
,. ,.
i J k
aXb = 1 -1 3
2 -7 1

=l(- 1+2 1)-J (1-6 )+k( -1+2 )

= 20, +5] -5k

Re quired area =\~xb\ = + 52 +· (-5)2

17• Find the projection of the vect or =21 + 3J+ 2k on the vect or b=l + 2} + k •
(2M) MARCH 201 9

Ans: The projection of vector ; on the vector bis 1 (- -)

given by lbl a.b

;.b =( 2i +3} + 2.q.(l +2} +i)

=2+ 6+2

=10

18. Find the projection of the vect or ;=i +3}

+7k on the vect or b=7 l-}+ 8k.

(2M) MARCH 202 0

- - ab
Projection of a on b ="]bf
Ans: OR

NARAYANA PU COLLEGE
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TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) VECTOR ALGIBRA

ab=60 and,~ =./114

- - 60
projection of a. on b = c::=:-::
~114

THREE MARKS QUESTIONS

1. Find the unit vector perpendicular to the vector a+b and a-b where a= i+ j+k and
b=i+2j+ 3k

_ _ (~+b)x( a-b)
Ans. If C is a unit vector perpendicular to ~+b and a-b then C = l<a+b)x (a-b)I

:.~+b=2 i+3j+4k , a-b=-j- 2k

A A

i j k
(a+b)x( ~-b) = 2 3 4 A A

_ =i(-6+4)- j(-4)+k( -2) =-2i+4j -2k

A A /\

0 -1 2

l<~+b)x(a-b)I ~!4+16+ 4

.. .. .. ..
- -2i+4j-2 k - -i+2j-k
c= r,
c= ·v6

2. If a= 2i + 2] + 3k, b = -i + 2] + k and c = 3i + J are such that a+ .lb is perpendicular to

c, fmd 'J'. (mar-201 4)

A: If a+ .lb is perpendicular to c , then I(a+ .lb).c = oj

a.c+ J(bc) = o
A(b.c) =-a.c

.l =-~·.:
b.c
ac=s; ;;;=-1;

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•
T VECTOR ALGIBRA
ARGET-CENT(PerCentum) f A Band Care
3• Find the area of triangle ABC where position O
vectors '

=;_ }+ 2k,b =2j+k and c=J+3k respectively.

Ans.
. .
Area of the triangle with A, B, C as its vertices is 2 . . . !1Tnx1cl
A A

=-i+3j-k

I\

=-i+2j+k

" "
i j k
ABxAC= -1 3 "
-: =i(3+ 2)- ](~l-l)+k(-2+3) =5i +2) +k
-1 2

1-- ,."
Area=- 5i+2j+k =-Sq.unit
2 2

4. If a, b, c are vectors such that !al= 3, WI= 4, !cl= 5, and each one of them being perpen.
dicular to the sum of other two, find la+ b+cl.
2 2
A: Weknowthat la+b +cf =lal +jhl +lcl2 +2(a.b)+2(b.c)+2(c.a)
here a.(b + c) = o, b.(c +a)= o,c.( a+ b) = o
aE + a.c =o, b.c + b.a = o, c.a + c.b =o
adding, we get 2(a.b)+2(b.c)+2(c_.a) =o·
:. la+;;+ cf =lal +
2
wr +lcf =3 +4 +s2 =9+16 +25 =50
2 2

:. la +b

5. If a,b,c are unit vectors such tliat a+b +c = o.Fiod ah +b.c +c.a

A:· We have lal =WI = lcl =1 and a+;;+ c = o, Squaring both sides,
2 2 2
(a+b +cf =lal +lbl +lcl +2(aE)+2(b.c)+2(c.a)
2
+b +c)2 lal2 +jhj2 +lcl +2(aE)+2(b.c)+2(c.a)=O

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TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) VECTOR ALGIBRA

+IEf +lc-i2 +2(a.b +b.c +c.a) =O

2 2
i2 +1 +1 +2( (a.b)+(E.c)+(c.a)) = o
1+ 1+1+ 2((a.ii)+(ii.c)+ (c.a)) =o
2(a.b +b.c +c.a) =-3

+b.c +c.a = -
3
2
6. Find the position vector of a point which divides the line joing the point A and B with
position vectors a and b respectively ,internally in the ratio m : n .
Ans. Let O be the origin, and OA =a and OB =b. Let C be the point which divides A and B with
-OC=c-
u

.•.
•...
- ...
.
' ,.........•..c
······....... ..
.
\m

AC m
CB n

=m(b-~)

- -
mb+na
m+n

7. Find the position vector of the point, which divides the line joining points P, Q with position
vectors OP = 3a- 2b and OQ = a + b in the ratio 2 : 1 (i) internally (ii) externally
A: The position vector ofthe point that divides the line joining points P, Q with position vectors OP, .
OQ in the ratio m:n

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 TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) VECTOR ALGJBflA

(i) Internally is mOQ +nOP mOQ-nOP

m+n
(ii) Externally is m_ n

2(0Q)+1(0P) 2 50
Therefore (1) Internally OR=--.:...___.:.-~..;..= 2(a+ii)+(3a- ii) = 3
. _
2+1 3

2(0Q)-1(
____ . . . ; . _0P) 2(a +ii)-1(3a -2ii) _ b-_0
")Ex _
(11 ternally OR= ..;..._..;..=~-...!...-~-~.- 4

. 2-1 1

i-3j-5k an 3z - 41- 4k,. from• the vertices of a right

8. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. d
Show th atthevectors 2i-j+k,
angled triangle:
A: IfA,B,C are the vertices ofa right angled triangle then

here, let OA = 2i - J+ ic
OB=i-3}-sk
oc = 3i -4]-4k
here AB=OB-OA=(i-3}-sk)-(2i-}+k)=(-i-2}-6k) (lM)

BC= OC-0B =(3i -4}-4k)- (i-3]-5k ) =(2i- }+k)

AC= OC-OA =(3i-4}-4k)-(2i- }-k) =(i-3}+5k) and

1Asj
2
=(mf =41
2
IBcj =6

jAcj2 =35

:. IAB( =ls92 +jAcj2

:. !J. ABC is right angled triangle.

9. Find the area of triangle havingA(l,1,1), B(l,2,3) C(2,3,l) as its vertices

21-
AB x-1
1
A: The area oftriangl~ withA,B,C as its vertices is AC
Here AB= OB.-OA=[l+2}+3k]-[l+ ]+k]=[}+2k]

AC=OC-OA=[2l +3}+k]-[i +} +k]=U +2]]

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-
TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) VECTOR Al GIBRA
i j k
Further Area= O 1 2 = _!_ll(0-4)- }(0-2)+k(O-l)I
2
1 2 0

=
2
.,/(-4)' +(-2) +(-1)2 = .J2i

10. Find the sine of the angle between the vectors l + 2} + 2k and 3i + 2} + 6k

Sol: Let = l + 2] + 2k , b = 3i + 2} + 6k

2 2
Now +(2) +(2) =3

lbl = +(2)2 +(6)2 = =7

l J fc
axb= 1 2 2 =i(12-4)-}(6-6)+k(2-6 )
3 Z 6

sl-o}-4k
l~xbl = 2 2
+(0) +(-4) = 16 =
From (1)

sinB =
3x7

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 VECTOR AlGJe
TARGET..CENT (Per Centwn)

0 = sin -1 (
4
./s)
3x7

find j;-bj
ll. If two vectors ;; and b such that lal- = 2, ,-,b = 3 and ab
--
= 4' •

Sol: 1;;1 = 2, 1;;1 = 3 and ;;.b = 4 ,

- -,2 _2 I 2
I
a-b = a + bj -2;;.b
11

=4+9:..8

l;;-bj2 = s

12. Find the position vector of a point R which divides the line joining two
points P and Q whose position vectors are 1+2j-k and -i+j+k repectively,inthe
ratio 2:1 (3M) (MARCH 2017 QJ>)
i) Internally

ii) Externally

Given a=i +2}-i; b=-i + }+i

m:n=2:1

(i)Intemally; = 2(-i +} + k) + l(i + 2)-k)

2+1

- -2i +2}+2£+i +2}-i

C =--~----=--
3

- -l +4}+k
c=----=--
3

..)Ex - mb-na
- -
(ll tema11ye=
NARAYANA pf! C6LLEGE Page No.: 20
TARGET-CENT (Per Centum) VECTOR ALGIBRA
- _ 2(-i + }+k)-l(i +2}-k)
c- 2-1
I\

-2i +2j+2k-i-2j+k
A A #\ A A

-
c=
1

c=-31 +3k

13. Three vectors a,b and c satisfy the condition a+b+c=o,evaluateµ=a.b +b.c+c.a,If
(3M) (MARCH2017QP)

lol= 1, lbl= 4 and lei= 2.

Given lal =1, lbl = ,lei =2
µ = a.b +b.c + c.a
a+b+c=o
S.O.B.S

(a+b+c)2 =o
la!2 +lb!2 +lc!2 +2(a.b+b.c+c~)=o
(1)2 +(4)2 +(2)2 + 2µ = 0
21+2µ=0
2µ=-21
21
µ=--
2

NARAYANA PU COLLEGE