NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1

TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)
THE EQUATION OF A STRAIGHT LINE IN SPACE

1. Convert the following vector equations to Cartesian form

(a) r = 2i + 3j k + (i + j + k) (b) r = 4j + (3i + 5k)

(c) r = ( 2i + 3j + 4k)

2. Convert to vector form, the following equations

x 3 y 1 z 7
(a) (b) x = 3 + 2, y = - 5, z = 4 + 1
4 2 6
1 x y
(b) z
3 5

3. Write down equations, in vector and in cartesian form, for the line through a point A with
position vector a and with direction vector b if

(a) a = i 3j + 2k b = 5i + 4j k

(b) a = 2i + j b = 3j k

(c) A is the origin b=ijk

4. State whether or not the following pairs of line are parallel

(a) r = i + j k + (2i 3j + k) and r = 2i 4j + 5k + (i + j k)

x 1 y 4 z 1 x y 5 3 z
(b) and
2 3 4 4 6 8
z
(c) r = 2i j +4k + (i + j + 3k) and x4=y+7=
3

(d) r = (3i 3j + 6k ) and r = 4j + ( -i + j 2k )

x 3 y z 1
(e) r = 3i + k + (i j 2k ) and
1 1 2

5. The points A(4,5,10), B(2,3,4) and C(1,2,-1) are three vertices of a parallelogram ABCD.
Find vector and cartesian equations for the sides AB and BC and find the coordinates of D

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)
6. Write down the vector equation for the line through A and B if
(a) OA is 3i + j 4k and OB is i + 7j + 8k
(b) A and B have coordinates ( 1,1,7) and (3,4,1)

Find, in each case, the coordinates of the points where the line crosses the xy plane,
the yz plane and the zx plane.

x 1 y 2 z 4
7. A line has cartesian equations . Find a vector equation for a parallel
3 4 5
line passing through the point with position vector 5i 2j 4k and find the coordinates of
the point on this line where y = 0.

8. The cartesian equations of a line x 2 = 2y + 1 = 3z 2. Find the direction ratios of the

line and write down the vector equation of the line through (2,-1,-1) which is parallel to the
given line.

9. Given four points, A(1,2,4), B(2,4,2), C(6,7,1) and D(-3,4,-2) find

(a) parametric equations for the line, L, through A and B

(b) the coordinates of the point P where L cuts the xy plane

PAIRS OF LINES

In Questions 10 to 12, find whether the given two lines are parallel, intersecting or skew. If they
are intersecting state the position vector of the common point.

10. r 1 = i j + k + ( 3i 4j + k ) and r2 = ( -9i + 12j 3k )

x 4 y 8 z 3 x7 y 6 z 5
11. and
1 2 1 6 4 5

12. r1 = i + 3k + ( 2i + j + k ) and r2 = 2i j + k + ( i 2j )

13. Two lines have equations r1 = 2i + 9j + 13k + ( i + 2j + 3k ) and

r2 = ai + 7j 2k + (-i + 2j - 3k) . Given that they are intersect, find the value of a and the
position vector of the point of intersection.

14. A line L has equation r1 = -3i + j + 4k + (4i + pj 3k). Find the value of p if

(a) the line r2 = 5i j 2k + (4I 2j 3k ) is parallel to L

(b) the line r3 = -i + 3j 3k + ( i j + 2k ) intersects L
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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)
15. The equations of two lines are r1 = 2i j + k + ( i 2j + 2k ) and
r2 = i 3j + 4k + ( 2i + 3j 6k ). Show that these lines are skew.
OQ is the unit vector in the direction of the first line and OR is the unit vector in the
direction of the second line. Write down the coordinates of Q and R.
By using the cosine formula in triangle OQR find the angle between OQ and OR and
hence between the given lines.

SCALAR PRODUCT / DOT PRODUCT

16. Calculate a.b if

(a) a = 2i 4j + 5k, b = i + 3j + 8k

(b) a = 3i 7j + 2k, b = 5i + j 4k What conclusion can you draw in (b)

(c) a = 2i 3j + 6k, b=i+j

17. Find p.q and the cosine of the angle between p and q if

(a) p = 2i + 4j + k q = i + j + k
(b) p = -i + 3j 2k q = i + j 6k
(c) p = -2i + 5j q=i+j
(d) p = 2i + j q = j 2k

18. Simplify

(a) ( a b ).a (b) ( a b ). (a b)

(c) (a + b). b (a + b). a (d) ( a + b ). c ( a b ) . c

19. Given that a and b are perpendicular, simplify

(a) a.b (b) ( a b ). b (c) (a + b). a

(d) ( a b) . ( 2a + b)

20. The angle between two vectors v1 and v2 is arccos 4

21
. If v1 = 6i + 3j 2k and v2 = -2i
+ j 4k, find the positive value of .

21. If a = 3i + 4j k , b = i j + 3k c = 2i + j 5k, find

(a) a.b (b) a.c (c) a. ( b + c )

(d) (2a + 3b).c (e) (a b).c

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)

22. In a triangle ABC, AB = i + 2j + 3k and BC = -i + 4j. Find the cosine of angle ABC. Find
the vector AC and use it to calculate the angle BAC.

23. A, B and C are points with position vectors a, b and c respectively, relative to the origin
O. AB is perpendicular to OC and BC is perpendicular to OA. Show that AC is
perpendicular to OB

24. Given two vectors a and b ( a 0, b 0), show that

(a) if a + b and a - b are perpendicular then a b

(b) if a b a b then a and b are perpendicular.

25. Three vectors a, b, and c are such that a b c 0

(a) if a.(b + c) = b . (a c) prove that c.(a + b) = 0

(b) if (a.b)c = (b.c)a show that c and a are parallel.

26. Find the angle between each of the following pairs of lines

(a) r1 = 3i + 2j 4k + ( i + 2j + 2k) and r2 = 5j 2k - (3i + 2j + 6k )

(b) A line with direction ratios 2 : 2 : 1 and a line joining the points ( 3, 1, 4) and ( 7, 2, 12)

x 4 y 1 z 3 x 1 y 4 z 5
(c) and
3 5 4 1 1 2

27. Find the angle between the following pair of lines.

x 2 y 1 x 1 2y 3 z 5
(a) , z2 and
3 2 1 3 2

(b) r = 4i j + (i + 2j 2k) and r = i j + 2k - (2i + 4j 4k )

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)
VECTOR PRODUCT / CROSS PRODUCT

28. Simplify the following:

(a) ( a + b) x b (b) (a + b) x (a + b) (c) (a b ) x ( a + b)

(d) a x (b + c).b (e) a. (b + c ) x a (f) a x b .a + b. a x b

29. If a = i + j k and b = 2i j + k find

(a) a x b (b) a x ( a + b ) and verify that a.a x b = 0

30. If a = i + 2j k and b=j+k find the unit vector perpendicular to both a

and b . Calculate also the sine of the angle between a and b

31. If a = i + j k , b = i j and c = 2i+ k, find ( a x b ) x c and a x ( b x c ). Verify

also that a . b x c = a x b . c

32. If a = i + j and b = 2i + k fine the sine of the angle between a and

b, and the unit vector perpendicular to both a and b

33. A, B and C are the points (0,1,2), (3,2,1) and (1, -1,0) respectively. Find the unit vector
which is perpendicular to the plane ABC.

34. Three vectors a, b and c are such that a x b = a x c ( a 0). Show that
b c = ka, where k is the scalar.

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)

Application Of Scalar Product

35. Determine the work done by a force , F 6i 2 j 6k in moving an object through a

displacement , r 9i 6 j k . ( Hint : Work done = F.r)

36. A force F 5i 3 j 2k is applied to an object which moves from A=(1,1,1) to

B=(5, -1,2). Determine the work done by the force , F.

37. A force of magnitude 20 N is applied to an object in the direction 3i j k . Determine

the work done by the force in moving the object from A=(3,-1,5) to B=(-1, 7,10).

38. The velocity , v , and an acceleration , a, of a particle are given by :

v 18i 6 j k
a 8i 4 j k
Determine the angle between the velocity , v , and acceleration , a.

39. An object is dropped and its position vector, r, is given by :

r (t 3t )i (6t 2t ) j
4 3 2

Find the velocity , v , and acceleration , a, and the angle between v and
`

dr d 2r
a at t=1. ( Hint : v , a 2 )
dt dt

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)

TRIPLE SCALAR PRODUCT AND TRIPLE VECTOR PRODUCT

In questions 1 4, given that a = 2i - 6j + 3k

b = -3i + 4k
c = 5j - 2k
Determine :

1. a.(bc) [ - 49 ]

2. (ba).c [ 49 ]

3. c.(ab) [ - 49 ]
4. (ac).b [ 49 ]

In questions 5 15, given that a = 3i + 4k

b = 2j - 5k
c = i - 3j + 6k
d = -4i + j - 5k
Determine :

5. a(bc) [ 20 i 6 j 15 k ]

6. b(cd) [ -117 I 45 j 18 k ]

7. (bd)c [ 144 i + 38 j 5 k ]

8. (ac)d [ 79 i + 96 j 44 k ]

9. 2b ( 3a c ) [ -528 i 360 j 144 k ]

10. ( 3b 2d ) 5c [ 4320 i + 1140 j 150 k ]

11. ( 2a 3b ) ( b 4c ) [ 508 i 228 j 192 k ]

12. ( 3a + 4c ) ( 3b d ) [ -2448 i 852 j + 600 k ]

13. (ab)(cd) [ -51 i 34 j + 17 k ]

14. (aa)(bc) [0]

15. ( a ( b c )) ( c a ) [ 156 i + 208 k ]

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)

APPLICATIONS OF TRIPLE SCALAR PRODUCT AND THE TRIPLE VECTOR

PRODUCT

16. The vectors ( 2i + 3j k ) and ( i + 2j + k ) represent two sides of a triangle. Find

the area of the triangle.

17. The triangle ABC has its vertices at the points A (0,0,1), B (1,0,1), C (2,1,3). Find
the area of the triangle ABC

18. The vertices of a triangle are at the points with position vectors a, b and c. Prove
that the area of the triangle is | a x b + b x c + c x a|

19. A parallelogram OABC has one vertex O at the origin and the vertices A and B at
the points ( 0,1,3), (0,2,5). Find the area of OABC.

20. The parallelogram ABCD has three of its vertices A, B and C at the points (1,2,-
1), (1,3,2) and (-1,3,-1). Find the area of the parallelogram.

21. The vectors OA,OB, OC are three edges of a parallelepiped where O is the origin
and A, B and C are the points ( 2,1,0), (-1,-1,1),(0,2,-1). Find the volume of the
parallelepiped.

22. Find the volume of the tetrahedron OABC where O is the origin and A,B and C
are the points (2,0,1),(3,1,2), and ( -1,3,0).

23. ABCD is a tetrahedron and A,B,C and D are the points (0,1,0),(0,0,4),(1,1,1) and
(-1,3,2). Find the volume of the tetrahedron.

24. The four vertices of a tetrahedron are at the points with position vectors a, b, c,
d. Find the volume of the tetrahedron.

In problems 25 and 26, determine the centrifugal force vector and its magnitude, correct
to 4 significant digits. The centrifugal force is given by : -mw x ( w x r) newtons, where
m is the mass of the body ( in kg) rotating at constant angular velocity w ( radian/s)
about a fixed axis and r is the position vector of the body from the origin.

25. m = 5 kg, r = ( -3i + 6j + 5k) metres, w = ( j + 3k ) rad/s

26. m = 4 kg, r = (-2.5j + 4.2k) metres, w = ( 3.2i 1.5j + 7.5 k) rad/s

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)

ANSWERS

THE EQUATION OF A STRAIGHT LINE IN SPACE

1. (a) x 2 y 3 z 1 (b) x z (c) x y z

and y 4
3 5 2 3 4

2. (a) r 3 i j 7 k (2 i j 3 k )
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(b) r 2 i 5 j k (3 i j 4 k )
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(c) r i (3 i 5 j k )
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

x 1 y 3 z 2
3. (a) r i 3 j 2 k (5 i 4 j k ) ;
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 5 4 1
y 1 z
(b) r 2 i j (3 j k ) ; x 2,
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 3 1
(c) r (i j k ) ; x y z
~ ~ ~ ~

4. (a) No (b) yes (c) yes (d) yes (e) no

10 z
5. r 4 i 5 j 10 k ( i j 3 k ) ; 4 x5 y
~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ 3
4z
r 2 i 3 j 4 k (i j 5 k ) ; 2 x 3 y
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 5
10
3 i j 4 k ( i 3 j 6 k ) ; ,3,0 ; 0,10,14 ;
7
6. (a) r ,0,6
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
3 3
10 9 1 1
(b) r i j 7 k (2 i 3 j 6 k ) ; , ,0 ; 0, ,10 ; ,0,9
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
3 2 2 3
13 3
7. r 5 i 2 j 4 k (3 i 4 j 5 k ) ; ,0,
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2 2

8. 6 : 3 : 2 ; r 2 i j k (6 i 3 j 2 k )
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

9. (a) x 1 , y 2 2 , z 4 2 (b) ( 3 , 6 , 0 )

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)
PAIRS OF LINES

10. parallel 11. Intersecting ; r i 2 j

~ ~ ~
12. skew 13. a 3 , r i 3 j 4 k
~ ~ ~ ~

. 14. (a) p 2 (b) p 0

15. 1 2 2 2 3 6 16
, , ; , , ; arccos
3 3 3 7 7 7 21

SCALAR PRODUCT / DOT PRODUCT

16. (a) 30 (b) 0 ; a and b are perpendicular

~ ~
(c) -1
1 7
17. (a) 7 , 7 (b) 14 ,
3 19
3 1
(c) 3 , 58 (d) 1 ,
58 5

18. (a) a 2 a .b (b) a 2 b 2 2 a .b

~ ~ ~ ~
(c) b a 2 2 (d) 2 b.c
~ ~

19. (a) 0 (b) b 2

(c) a 2 (d) 2a 2 b2

20. 4

21. (a) -4 (b) 15 (c) 11 (d) -12 (e) 29

7 7
22. ; arccos
34 10
19 2
26. (a) arccos (b) arccos
21 3
8
(c) arccos 3
15

27. (a) 90 (b) 0 ; i.e parallel lines

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)

VECTOR PRODUCT / CROSS PRODUCT

28. (a)
a b (b) 0 (c) 2 a b (d) a c .b (e) 0 (f) 0
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

29. (a) r 3 j 3 k (b) r 3 j 3 k

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

3 i j k
30. ~ ~ ~ 11
;
11 12

31. i 3 j 2 k ; i j
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

3
32.
5
1
33. 4 ~i 5 j 7 k~
3 10 ~

35. 60 Joules

36. 12 Joules

37. 6.03 Joules

38.
44.96
39. v (4t 3 9t 2 )i (12t 2) j , a (12t 2 18t )i 12 j , 0

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 NCB 10103: MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS 1
TUTORIAL 7 (VECTOR)

TRIPLE SCALAR PRODUCT AND TRIPLE VECTOR PRODUCT

1. - 49 2. 49

3. - 49 4. 49

5. 20 i 6 j 15 k 6. -117 I 45 j 18 k

7. 144 i + 38 j 5 k 8. 79 i + 96 j 44 k

9. -528 i 360 j 144 k 10. 4320 i + 1140 j 150 k

11. 508 i 228 j 192 k 12. -2448 i 852 j + 600 k

13. -51 i 34 j + 17 k 14. 0

15. 156 i + 208 k

APPLICATIONS OF TRIPLE SCALAR PRODUCT AND THE TRIPLE

VECTOR PRODUCT

35 5
16. 17.
2 2

19. 1 20. 7

1
21. 3 22.
3

11 1
23. 24) bc a ba d cb d ac d
6 6

25. 254.5 N 26. 662.97 N

12
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