CHAPTER 10

Vector Algebra
• A vector having the same magnitude as the given
Algebra of Vectors vector but opposite direction is known as the
• A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction negative of the given vector.
where the magnitude is a distance between the • Triangle law of vector addition: Let's say that
initial and terminal point of the vector. Let's A, B, and C are the vertices of a triangle then
assume a vector starts at a point A and ends at a
C
point B. Therefore the magnitude of the vector is

denoted by AB .
 
• OA = r = xi + yj + zk
 is the position vector of any
point A(x, y, z) having a magnitude equal to

x2 + y2 + z2 . Where O is the origin (0, 0, 0) and

A B
P is any point in the space.   
• The angles α, β, γ are known as the direction angles AC = AB + BC
which are made by the position vector and the • Parallelogram law of vector addition: If two
positive x, y, z – axes respectively and their cosine vectors are represented by the two adjacent sides
values (cosα, cosβ, cosγ) are known as direction of a parallelogram, then their sum is represented
cosines, denoted by l, m, n respectively. by the diagonal of that parallelogram through their
• The projections of a vector along the respective common point. For example, the
axes are represented by the direction ratios which a
are the scalar components of the vector. They are B C
denoted by a, b, c respectively.
• The direction cosines, direction ratios, and
magnitude of a vector are related as: b+a
b b
a b c a+b
l = ,m = ,n =
r r r
• In general, l2 + m2 + n2 = 1 but a2 + b2 + c2 ≠ 1.
• Zero vector (also known as a null vector) is O a A
   
symbolized by 0 . Its initial and terminal points OC = OA + OB
coincide.   
⇒ OC = a + b
• A unit vector has a magnitude equal to 1 and is
• Vector addition is commutative as well as associative
denoted by a. in nature and also has zero vector as an additive
• If two or more than two vectors have the same identity.
initial points, they are called as co-initial vectors. 
• The multiplication of any vector a by a scalar λ is
• The vectors which are parallel to the same line 
denoted by λ a and has the same direction as the
are known as collinear vectors.
original vector if λ is positive and opposite direction
• The vectors having equal magnitude and same  
direction are called equal vectors. if λ is negative. Its magnitude is λ a = λ a .
 
• The unit vector of any vector a in its direction is Product of Two Vectors,
1  Scalar Triple Product
written as 
a =  a
a 
• The unit vectors along the positive x, y, z axes are • Scalar (or dot) product of two vectors a

denoted by i, j, 
k respectively. and b : The scalar product of two vectors having
 
• Component form of a vector: The component an angle θ between them is denoted by a ⋅ b and is
 defined by
form of any vector is r = xi + yj + zk
 where x, y, z    
a ⋅ b = a b cos θ
are called as the scalar components and xi, yj,z  k  
a⋅ b
 ⇒ cos θ =  
as the vector components of r . x, y, z is also called a b
the rectangular components.
⎛   ⎞
• If two vectors are in their component form as a⋅ b
or θ = cos −1 ⎜   ⎟
  ⎜ a b⎟
a = a1i + a2 j + a3 
k and b = b1i + b2 j + b3 
k , then ⎝ ⎠
   
  • If a ⋅ b = 0 ⇔ a ⊥ b
 The sum of the vectors a and b is given by
  • Properties of scalar product:
a + b = ( a1 + b1 )i + ( a2 + b2 ) j + ( a3 + b3 ) 
k.   
 Let a, b and c be any three vectors then
        
 The difference of the vectors a and b is given
 
( )
a⋅ b + c = a⋅b + a⋅ c
by a − b = ( a1 − b1 )i + ( a2 − b2 ) j + ( a3 − b3 ) 
k  
 Let a and b be any two vectors, and λ be any
       
 The vectors a and b are equal if
( ) ( )
scalar. Then λ a ⋅ b = λ a ⋅ b = a ⋅ λ b ( )
a1 = b1 , a2 = b2 and a3 = b3 .  
• Projection of a vector a on another vector b is

 The multiplication of a vector a by scalar λ is ⎛   ⎞
a⋅b
 given as ⎜  ⎟ .
given by λ a = ( λ a1 )i + ( λ a2 ) j + ( λ a3 ) 
k. ⎜ a ⎟
⎝ ⎠
• Vector joining two points: The magnitude of a  
• Projection of a vector b on another vector a is
 
vector A1 A2 joining two points A1 ( x1 , y 1 , z1 ) and ⎛   ⎞
a⋅b
 given as ⎜  ⎟ .
A2 ( x2 , y2 , z2 ) is ⎜ b ⎟
⎝ ⎠
 
A1 A2 = ( x2 − x1 )2 + ( y2 − y1 )2 + (z2 − z1 )2 • Vector (or cross) product of two vectors a

• Section Formula: The position vector of a point and b : The vector product of two vectors having
C dividing the line segment joining two points A  
an angle θ between them is denoted by a × b and
 
and B (having position vectors a, b respectively) in is defined by:
   
the ratio of m : n a × b = a b sin θ  n
 
 mb + na  
 Internally: r = a× b
m+n sin θ =  
  a b
 mb − na
 Externally: r =     
m−n • If a × b = 0 ⇔ a  b
 
 a+b • If the vectors are in their component form as
 If C is the midpoint of A and B, then r =
2  
a = a1i + a2 j + a3 
k and b = b1i + b2 j + b3 
k , then
their cross product is given by
 i j   
k  Let a and b be any two vectors, and λ be any
 
a × b = a1 a2 a3      
b1 b2 b3 ( )
scalar. Then λ a × b = λ a × b = a × λ b ( ) ( )
The dot product is given by • Scalar triple product of three vectors [A, B, C] is
  
 
a ⋅ b = a1 b1 + a2 b2 + a3 b3 ( )
given by A. B × C which is the volume of a
• Properties of vector product: parallelepiped whose sides are given by vectors
     
 Let a, b and c be any three vectors then A, B and C .
      
(
a× b+ c = a× b+ a× c . )

Exercise
   
1. The value of m for which the vectors a = ˆi − ˆj

( )
5. If a = ˆi + ˆj , b = ˆj + kˆ ( ) (
and c = ˆi + kˆ , then a )
  
and b = −2iˆ + mjˆ are collinear, is
unit vector in the direction of a − 2b + 3c is ( )
1
( 4iˆ + ˆj − kˆ ) ( 4iˆ − ˆj + kˆ )
(a) (b) 2 1 1
2 (a) (b)
3 2 3 2
(c) 3 (d) –3

2. If the position vectors of A and B are 3iˆ − 8ˆj ( ) (c)

1
( 4iˆ − ˆj + kˆ ) (d) None of these
2
( )
and −6iˆ + 4 ˆj , then a unit vector in the direction
 (
6. If 2iˆ − 3jˆ + kˆ ) (
and ˆi − ˆj − kˆ ) are the position
of AB is vectors of the points A and B respectively, then

(a) −
5
(
1 ˆ
3i + 4 ˆj ) (b)
1
5
(
−3iˆ + 4 ˆj ) the unit vector along AB is

( ˆi − 2ˆj + 2kˆ ) ( −ˆi + 2ˆj − 2kˆ )

(c)
1 ˆ
15
(
3i − 4 ˆj )
(d) None of these (a)
3
(b)
3
3. The unit vector parallel to the resultant of the
( −ˆi + 2ˆj − 2kˆ )
( )
vectors 2iˆ + 4 ˆj − 5kˆ and ˆi + 2ˆj + 3kˆ is. ( ) (c)
9
(d) None of these

 

(a)
( ˆi + 2ˆj − 8kˆ
) (b)
( 3iˆ + 6ˆj − 2kˆ ) 7. If a = 4iˆ − ˆj + kˆ and b = 4iˆ − 2ˆj + kˆ , then find a
 
49 49 unit vector parallel to the vector a + b .

8iˆ − 3ˆj + 2kˆ

(c)
( ˆi + 2ˆj − 8kˆ ) (d)
( 3iˆ + 6ˆj − 2kˆ ) (a)
6iˆ − 3ˆj + 2kˆ
7
(b)
77
7 7
8iˆ − 3ˆj + 2kˆ
4. If θ is the angle between the vectors (c) (d) None of these
  9
( ) (
a = ˆi + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ and b = −3iˆ + 2jˆ + kˆ , then cos ) 
8. Find the sum of three vectors a = ˆi − 3jˆ + 4kˆ ,
θ=?  
b = 2iˆ + ˆj − kˆ and c = 3iˆ − 6ˆj + 3kˆ is
2 3
(a) (b)
5 7 (a) 2iˆ + 5 ˆj − 8kˆ (b) 5iˆ − 8ˆj − 6kˆ
2 3
(c) (d) (c) 6iˆ − 8ˆj − 6kˆ (d) None of these
7 5
 9. If a line has direction ratios 3, –2, –4 then what      
are its direction? 15. If a × b = a . b , then the angle between a and b
is
1 −3 −2 3 −2 −4
(a) , , (b) , , π π
29 29 29 29 29 29 (a) (b)
6 4
2 −1 −2 π π
(c) , , (d) None of these (c) (d)
3 3 3 3 2
10. What is the positive vector of the mid-point of 16. The length of projection of the vector

( )

vector joining the points P(3, 8, 4) and Q(5, 2, –2)
?
a = 7iˆ + ˆj − 4kˆ on the vector b = 2iˆ + 6ˆj + 3kˆ ( )
is
(a) 4iˆ + 5ˆj + kˆ (b) 3iˆ + 5jˆ + kˆ
6
(a) (b) 1
(c) 2iˆ + ˆj + 5kˆ (d) None of these 7
8
11. The angle between the vectors ˆi + 3ˆj + 2kˆ and ( ) (c)
7
(d) None

17. The value of λ for which the vectors

( 2iˆ − 4ˆj − kˆ ) is   
a = 2iˆ − 3ˆj + kˆ , b = ˆi + 2ˆj − 3kˆ and c = ˆj + λkˆ are
⎛ 5⎞ −1 ⎛ 6 ⎞
coplanar, is
(a) sin −1 ⎜ ⎟ (b) sin ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 7⎠ ⎝ 7⎠ (a) 1 (b) –1
(c) 2 (d) –3
−1 ⎛ 3 ⎞ −1 ⎛ 4 ⎞   
(c) sin ⎜ ⎟ (d) sin ⎜ ⎟ 18. If a, b and c be any three vectors, then
⎝ 5⎠ ⎝ 7⎠
  
12. If θ is acute and the vector ( sin θ ) ˆi + ( cos θ ) ˆj is (
a× b+c = ? )
       
perpendicular to the vector ˆi − 3ˆj then θ = ? ( ) (a) a × b + a × c
   
(b) a . b + a .c

(c) a × b + a.c (d) None

π π
(a) (d)  
6 5 19. If a = 2iˆ + 3ˆj + 3k,
ˆ b = −4iˆ + 2jˆ + kˆ and
π π   
(c)
4
(d)
3

ˆ then find a. b × c
c = 3iˆ + ˆj + 4k, ( )

13. The projection of a = 2iˆ + 3ˆj + 3kˆ ( ) on (a) 33 (b) 39

(
b = ˆi − 2ˆj + kˆ is ) (c) 41 (d) None of these
20. The vector of magnitude 3 and perpendicular to
(a) ˆi − 2jˆ + kˆ (b) − ˆi + 2ˆj − kˆ
each one of the vectors ( 4iˆ − ˆj + 3kˆ ) and

(c)
1
6
( −ˆi + 2ˆj − kˆ ) (d)
1 ˆ
6
(
− i + 2ˆj − kˆ ) ( −2iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ ) is
  2    
( ) ( ) ( )
2
14. If a × b + a . b = 144 and a = 4, then b = ? (a) ˆi − 2jˆ + 2kˆ (b) − ˆi + 2ˆj + 2kˆ
(a) 16 (b) 8
(c) 12 (d) 3
(c)
( −3iˆ + 6ˆj + 6kˆ ) (d) None of these
3

Answer Keys
1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (b) 6. (b) 7. (b) 8. (d) 9. (b) 10. (a)
11. (a) 12. (d) 13. (d) 14. (d) 15. (b) 16. (c) 17. (b) 18. (a) 19. (c) 20. (b)
 Solutions
      
1. Since a and b are collinear, we have a = tb for and a − 2b + 3c = ( 4 )2 + ( −1)2 + (1)2
some scalar t.
= 16 + 1 + 1 = 18 = 3 2
(
⇒ ˆi − ˆj = tˆ −2iˆ + mjˆ )
( 4iˆ − ˆj + kˆ )
⇒ ( −2t ) ˆi + ( mt ) ˆj = ( ˆi − ˆj) ∴ Required vector =
3 2
⇒ –2t = 1, mt = –1 
6. AB = Position vector of B – position vector of A
−1
( ) ( )
1
∴ t=− and m = =2 = ˆi − ˆj − kˆ − 2iˆ − 3ˆj + kˆ
2 ⎛ −1 ⎞
⎜⎝ ⎟⎠
2 = ( − ˆi + 2ˆj − 2kˆ )

2. AB = position vector of B – positive vector of A 
∴ AB = ( − 1) 2 + 2 2 + ( − 2 ) 2
( ) (
= −6iˆ + 4ˆj − 3iˆ − 8ˆj )
= 1+4+4 = 9 = 3
= −6iˆ + 4 ˆj − 3iˆ + 8ˆj
= −9iˆ + 12ˆj ∴ Required vector =
( −ˆi + 2ˆj − 2kˆ )
3
  
AB = ( −9) + (12) = 81 + 144 = 225 = 15
2 2
7. a + b = 4iˆ − ˆj + kˆ + 4iˆ − 2ˆj + kˆ

−9iˆ + 12iˆ −3iˆ + 4 ˆj = 8iˆ − 3jˆ + 2kˆ

∴ Required vector = =
15 5  
and a + b = ( 8) + ( −3) + ( 2)
2 2 2

=
1
5
(
−3iˆ + 4 ˆj ) = 64 + 9 + 4 = 77
 
3. Let a = 2 ˆi + 4 ˆj − 5kˆ and b = ˆi + 2ˆj − 3kˆ ∴ Unit vector parallel to
   
) ( )
ˆ ˆ ˆ
(
Resultant = a + b = 3iˆ + 6ˆj − 2kˆ (a + b) = 8i − 377j + 2k
  
a + b = 32 + 6 2 + ( − 2 ) 8. Given, a = ˆi − 3jˆ + 4kˆ
2
 
b = 2iˆ + ˆj − kˆ and c = 3iˆ − 6ˆj + 3kˆ
= 9 + 36 + 4 = 49 = 7   
( 3iˆ + 6ˆj − 2kˆ ) ( ) ( ) (
∴ a + b + c = ˆi − 3ˆj + 4kˆ + 2iˆ + j − kˆ + )
∴ Re quired vector =
7 (3iˆ − 6ˆj + 3kˆ ) = 6iˆ − 8ˆj + 6kˆ
 9. Given a = 3, b = –2 and c = –4
4. a = 12 + 22 + 32 = 1 + 4 + 9 = 14
 ∴ a 2 + b2 + c 2 = ( 3)2 + ( −2)2 + ( −42 )
and b = ( −3)2 + 22 + 12 = 9 + 4 + 1 = 14
  = 9 + 4 + 16 = 29
( )(
a . b = ˆi + 2ˆj + 3kˆ . −3iˆ + 2ˆj + kˆ ) ∴ Direction cosines are
= [1 . (–3) + 2 . 2 + 3 . 1] = [–3 + 4 + 3] = 4 3 −2 −4
  l= ,m = ,n =
a .b 4 2 29 29 29
∴ cos θ =   = = 10. Given P = (3, 8, 4) and Q = (5, 2, –2)
ab 14 14 7
    ( ) (
3iˆ + 8ˆj + 4kˆ + 5iˆ + 2jˆ − 2kˆ )
( ) ( ) (
5. a − 2b + 3c = ˆi + ˆj − 2 ˆj + kˆ + 3 ˆi + kˆ ) ( ) ∴ OR =
2
ˆ ˆ
8i + 10 j + 2k ˆ
= 4iˆ − ˆj + kˆ = = 4iˆ + 5ˆj + kˆ
2
      
11. Let a = ˆi + 3ˆj + 2kˆ and b = 2iˆ − 4ˆj − kˆ 15.  a × b = a.b ⇒ ab sin θ = ab cos θ
ˆi ˆj kˆ sin θ
  ⇒ =1
∴ a×b= 1 3 2 = 5iˆ + 5ˆj − 10kˆ cos θ
2 −4 −1 π
⇒ tan θ = 1 ⇒ tan θ = tan
4
   
∴ a × b = 52 + 52 + ( −10 ) = 25 + 25 + 100
2
(
16. a.b = 7iˆ + ˆj − 4kˆ . 2iˆ + 6 ˆj + 3kˆ )( )
= 150 = 5 6 = 14 + 6 – 12 = 8
 
2 2 2
Also, a = 1 + 3 + 2 = 1 + 9 + 4 = 14 and b = ( 2) 2 + ( 6 ) 2 + ( 3) 2 = 4 + 36 + 9 = 49 = 7
 
  a.b 8
( )

and b = 2 + −4 + ( −1) = 4 + 16 + 1 = 21 ∴ Length of projection of a on b =  =
2 2 2
b 7
    
a×b 5 6 5 17.  a, b and c are coplanar..
∴ sin θ =  = =
a bˆ 14 21 7 2 −3 1
∴ 1 2 −3 = 0
⎛ 5⎞
∴ θ = sin −1 ⎜ ⎟ 0 1 λ
⎝ 7⎠
  ⇒ 2 (2λ + 3) + 3λ + 1 = 0
12. Let a = ( sin θ ) ˆi + ( cos θ ) ˆj and b = ˆi − 3ˆj , then
    ⇒ 4λ + 6 + 3λ + 1 = 0
 a ⊥ b ⇒ a. b = 0 ⇒ 7λ + 7 = 0 ⇒ 7λ = –7

( )
⇒ ⎡⎣( sin θ ) ˆi + ( cos θ ) ˆj⎤⎦ . ˆi − 3ˆj = 0 ∴λ =
−7
7
= −1
      
⇒ sin θ − 3 cos θ = 0
( )
18. a × b + c = a × b + a × c .
⇒ sin θ − 3 cos θ ⇒ tan θ = 3
2 3 3
  
⇒ tan θ = tan
π
3
19. a.
(
b + c = −4 2 1 )
3 1 4
π
∴ θ= On expanding along R1,
3
 
( )( )
= 2( 8 – 1) – 3 (–16 – 3) + 3 (–4 – 6)
13. a.b = 2iˆ + 3ˆj + 3kˆ . ˆi − 2jˆ + kˆ = 2 – 6 + 3 = –1 = 2 × 7 – 3 × ( –19) + 3 × (–10)
 2 = 14 + 57 – 30 = 14 + 27 = 41
b = (1)2 + (–2)2 + (1)2 = 1 + 4 + 1 = 6  
   20. Let a = 4iˆ − ˆj + 3kˆ and b = −2iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ , then a
  a.b b ( )    
∴ Projection of a on b =  2
b
vector perpendicular to both a and b is a × b ( )
ˆi ˆj kˆ
−1 ˆ
6
( 1
) (
i − 2ˆj + kˆ = − ˆi + 2jˆ − kˆ
=
6
)  
(
∴ a× b 4 ) −1 (
3 = −ˆi + 2ˆj + 2kˆ )
  2   2  2  2 −2 −2
( )
14. a × b + a.b = a b (We know)
 
1

 2  2 and a × b = ( −1)2 + 22 + 22
= 1+4+4 = 9 = 3
⇒ a b = 144
 
∴ Unit vector perpendicular to a and b
2  2
⇒ ( 4 ) b = 144
 2 144 =
( −ˆi + 2ˆj + 2kˆ )
⇒ b = =9 3
16
 ∴ Required vector
∴ b = 9=3
(
3 −ˆi + 2ˆj + 2kˆ )=
=
3
( −ˆi + 2ˆj + 2kˆ )