SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

VECTOR ALGEBRA
 The Physical quantities having both magnitude and direction and also obeys triangle law and
parallelogram law are called vectors.
 The magnitude of vector is length of the vector.
 If length of vector is zero then it is called null vector.
 If length of vector is one unit then it is called unit vector.

 a 
 If a is any vector then is a unit vector in direction of a .
a

a 
 is a unit vector in direction opposite to a .
a
 
 xa  x a
 
Example: i) 2a  2 a
 
Example: ii) 3a  3 a

 a
 The unit vector in direction xa   x  0 
a
Explanation :
   
xa xa xa a
       
xa x a xa a

 a
Example: i) Unit vector in direction of 3a is
a
 
7a a
Example: ii) Unit vector in direction of is 
5 a

 xa
 Vector of magnitude x units in direction of a is
a

 5a
Example: i) Vector of magnitude 5 units in direction of a is
a

 7a
Example: ii) Vector of magnitude 7 units in direction 2a is
a
 Equation to xy plane z  0
Equation to xz plane y  0
Equation o yz plane x  0
Equation to x-axis  y  0 & z  0  y 2  z 2  0
Equation to y-axis x 2  z 2  0
Equation to z-axis  x 2  y 2  0 
P  x, y, z  is any point in space then distance of P from
i) x-axis is y2  z2
ii) y-axis is x2  z 2
iii) z-axis is x2  y 2
iv) from xy plane z
v) from zx plane y
vi) from yz plane x
Let A 1,3, 5 then Distance A from
i) xy plane is 5
ii) yz plane 1
iii) zx plane 3
iv) x-axis 34
v) y-axis 26
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SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

vi) z-axis 10
 A  x1 , y1 , z1  B  x2 , y2 , z2  are two points then distance between them is  x1  x2 2  y1  y2 2   z1  z2 2
,
 Any point on
i) x-axis  x, 0, 0 
ii) y-axis  0, y, 0 
iii) z-axis  0, 0, z 
iv) xy plane  x, y , 0 
v) yz plane  0, y, z 
vi) zx plane  x, 0, z 
 i, j , k are the unit vectors along x, y, z axes respectively. If P  x, y, z  is a point then position vector
 
of P is OP  xi  yj  zk and OP  x 2  y 2  z 2

If  ,  ,  are the angles made by vector OP  xi  yj  zk with x, y, z axis respectively then
x y z
cos   , cos   , cos   are called directional cosines and
x2  y 2  z 2 x2  y2  z2 x2  y 2  z 2
i) cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1
ii) sin 2   sin 2   sin 2   2
iii) cos 2  cos 2  cos 2  1
Note : If  ,  ,  are angles made by a vector with coordinate axis as well as angles of triangle then
triangle is right angled triangle.
      1800
     180  
 cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1
 1  sin 2   cos2   cos 2      1
 cos     cos       cos2      0
cos     cos      cos       0  cos  .  cos      cos       0
 cos  .cos  .cos   0
 one of them is zero
 one angle is 900
 The ratios of the directional cosines are called directional ratios
 The directional ratios of vectors xi  yj  zk are x : y : z
Example: i) The D.R.s of 2i  3 j  4k are 2, 3, 4
Example: ii) The D.R.s of a line are 1, 5, 7 then the vector in its direction i  5 j  7k
3 4 5
Example: iii) The D.R.s of a line are 3, 4,5 then the D.C.s are , ,
5 2 5 2 5 2

Note : If  ,  ,  are angles made by a vector with co ordinate axis then the unit vector in its direction is
i cos   j cos   k cos 
Explanation :
Let the vector be xi  yj  zk
Since it is making  ,  ,  with x, y, z
x y z
cos   , cos   , cos  
x2  y 2  z 2 x2  y2  z2 x2  y 2  z 2
xi  yj  zk
Unit vector in its direction is  i cos   j cos   k cos 
x2  y 2  z 2
Generally D.R’s are represented a, b, c and D.C’s are l , m, n

If a , b, c are D.R’s of a line of a vector then the vector in its direction is ai  bj  ck .

If l , m , n are D.C’s of a vector then unit vector in its direction li  mj  nk .

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SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
3. A vector is making an angle 600 with x-axis and 600 with y-axis then angle made by vector with z.
1 1
Sol.   cos 2   1
4 4
1
cos 2   1 
2
1
cos   
2
  45 or 1350
0

4. The angles made by a vector with x and y axis are complementary then angle made by vector with z
axis is …..
Sol. cos 2   sin 2   cos 2   1 (    900 )
cos   0
  900
1
Note : The maximum value of cos  cos  cos  is .
3 3
1)  ,  ,  are angles made by a vector with x , y, z axis respectively. If   450 then the maximum
value of cos  cos  cos   _____
Sol. cos2   cos2   cos 2   1
1
cos 2   cos 2  
2
The value of cos  cos  is maximum if cos   cos  .
1
cos    cos 
2
cos  cos  cos 
1

4 2
2) If   600 the maximum value of cos  cos  cos  .
Sol. cos2   cos2   cos 2   1
3
cos 2   cos 2  
4
cos  cos  is maximum if cos   cos 
3
 2 cos 2  
4
3
cos    cos 
8
cos  cos  cos 
1 3 3
  
2 8 16

1. Find magnitudes of following


Example: i) If a  i  j  k  a  3

Example: ii) If a  2i  3 j  6k  a  49  7

Example: iii) a  4i  4 j  7k  a  9
2i  j  k
2. The unit vector in direction of 2i  j  k is
6
 i sin   j cos   k 
3. The Unit vector parallel to i sin   j cos   k is 
2
Note:
A  B

O
OA  AB  OB  AB  OB  OA
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SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
NOTE:
AB  BC  AC
PQ  QR  PR
OA  AB  BC  CD  OD
 PQ  OQ  OP
l C m If point C divides AB in ratio l : m then
A  B

OC 
 
l OB  m OA 
lm
O

1. ‘O’ is origin then OA is called position vector of A w.r.t. ‘O’, OB is called position vector of B w.r.t ‘O’.
AB is position vector of B w.r.t ‘A’.
From OAB
OA  AB  OB
 AB  OB  OA
m
 AB  BC  AC A l C  B
 PQ  QR  PR
 OA  AB  BC  CD  OD
 PQ  QR  RS  PS
 PQ  OQ  OP O

If the point ‘C’ divides AB in ratio l : m then OC 

   
m OA  l OB
lm
1. If the position vectors of a and b are i  2 j  3k and 5i  3 j  2k respectively. Find position
vectors of points of trisection.
Sol. OA  i  2 j  3k OB  5i  3 j  2k

OC 
   
2 OA  1 OB 1: 2 2:1
2 1 A C D B
7i  j  8 k
3

OD 
     11i  4 j  7k
2 OB  1 OA
2 1 3
OA  OB
The position vector of mid point of AB 
2

Collinear (or) Parallel Vectors :

2 Vectors a and b are said to be collinear (or) parallel if a  Sb

i) If S  0 then 2 vectors are in same direction 2 vectors are called like vectors.
ii) If S  0 the 2 vectors are in opposite direction. They are called unlike vectors.
Eg : If a  2b  3c , and b  5c  7 a then
  
i) a and b are ………. ii) c and a are ………. iii) c and b are ……….

a  2b b  7a
i) 
3 5
16a  13b
13
a b  a and b are unlike vectors
16

a  3c
ii)  5c  7 a
2
15a  13c
13
a  c  a and c are like vectors.
15

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SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
5c  b
iii) 2b  3c 
7
15b  16c
16
b c  b and c are unlike vectors
15
Eg : If 3a  5b  2c and 7b  a  9c then
  
i) a and b are ………. ii) c and a are ………. iii) and b are ……….
c

3a  5b 7b  a
i) 
2 9
29a  31b  a and b are unlike vectors

2c  3a a  9c
ii) 
5 7
31c  26a  a and c are unlike vectors.

2c  5b
iii )  7b  9c
3
26b  29c  b and c are like vectors

a1 a2 a3
NOTE: If a  a1i  a2 j  a3k and b  b1i  b2 j  b3k are collinear or parallel then  
b1 b2 b3
Problem: If a  3i  5 j  xk
b  2i  yj  3k . If a and b are parallel then x  ____ y  ____
3 5 x
Sol:  
2 y 3
10 9
y , x
3 2

NOTE: If 3 points A,B,C are said to be collinear if the vectors AB , AC are collinear.
Eg: If 3 points A  1, 2, 3  , B  3, 4, 7  , C  3, x , y  are collinear then x  ___ , y  ___
Sol. AB  2i  2 j  4k , AC  4i   x  2  j   y  3 k
2AB  AC
4i  4 j  8k  4i   x  2  j   y  3 k
x  2 y  5

3. The points whose position vectors are OA  i  2 j  3k , OB  2i  3 j  4k , OC  xi  yj  10k are

collinear.

Sol. AB  OB  OA AC   x  1 i   y  2  j  7k
 i  5 j  7k
1 5 7
 
x  1 y  2 7
x  0 y  7

Note : If a and b are 2 non zero non collinear vectors if xa  yb  o then x  0 , y  0 .

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SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
Explanation :
Let x  0 y  0 then
xa   yb
y
a b
x
It is in the form a  Sb
 a, b are collinear vectors which is contradiction of our assumption
 x  0 , y  0 is not a solution.
 x  0 and y  0

5.   
a , b are non zero non collinear vectors. If x 2  4 a  x 2  3 x  2 b  0 then x  
Sol. Since a , b are non zero non collinear vectors their coefficients must be zero
x 2  4  0  x  2 and x 2  3 x  2  0   x  2  x  1  0  x  2 (or) x  1
 x  2

6.  
If a , b are 2 non zero non collinear vectors and  2 sin   1 a  2 cos   3 b  0 then   __
1  3
Sol. sin   cos  
2 2

  
6
5

6
7. If a , b, c are 3 non zero vectors, pair wise non collinear. If a  b is collinear with c . b  c is
collinear with a then a  b  c ..
Sol. a  b  S c …(1)
b  c  ta …(2 )
a  c  S c  ta
 1  t  a   1  s  c  0
 t  1  s  1
a  b  c
 abc 0

8. a , b, c are 3 non zero vectors , such that no 2 vectors are collinear. If a  2b is collinear with c ,
b  3c is collinear with a then a  2b  6c
Sol.
 a  2b  S c …(1)
b  3c  pa …(2)
2b  6c  2 pa
------------------
a  6c  Sc  2 pa
a 1  2 p   c  6  s   0
1
p s  6
2
 a  2b  6c

2) OACB is a parallelogram. If OC  a and AB  b then OA  ____

Sol : OA  AB  OB
B  C
AB  AC  OA
  
q

O  A
p 6
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
 
pq a
 
q p b
------------
 a  b
p
2
Note : 3 Vectors a , b and c form a  le if either a  b  c  0 (or) a  b  c sum of 2 vectors is equal to
3rd vector.
 
Note: 3 Points A, B, C are said to be collinear if the two vectors AB and AC are collinear.

   

Centroid : a1, a2 , a3........an are position vectors of n points then position vector of their centroid is given by
a1  a2  .....an
n
Eg: The centroid of i , 2i , .....ni , j , 2 j ....nj , k , 2k .....nk is _____
 n  n  1   n  n  1   n  n  1 
i  j k 
 2   2   2 

3n
n  n  1 i  j  k 

6n
 n  1 i  j  k
  
6
OA  OB  OC
 If G is centroid of ABC then OG  .
3
NOTE : If G is centroid of ABC then GA  GB  GC  O .
OA  OB  OC
EXPLANATION: OG 
3
Consider GA  GB  GC
 OA  OG  OB  OG  OC  OG
 3OG  3OG
O
NOTE: If G1 , G2 are centroids of  le A1 B1C1 and  le A2 B2C 2 respectively then
A1 A2  B1 B2  C1C 2  3G1G2
OA1  OB1  OC1 OA2  OB2  OC2
EXPLANATION: OG1  , OG2 
3 3
A1 A2  B1B2  C1C2
 OA2  OA1  OB2  OB1  OC2  OC1
 3OG2  3OG1

 3 OG2  OG1 
 3G1G2

Parallelogram:

D  C

 

E

A  B

AB  DC
AD  BC
from ABC
AC  AB  BC …(1)
From ABD
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SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
AB  BD  AD
BD  AD  AB
BD  BC  AB …(2)
AC  BD  2 BC [from (1 )and( 2)]
AC  BD  2 AB

Note : If a and b are adjacent sides of a parallelogram then its diagonals are given by a  b and a  b .
 
1. The adjacent sides of a parallelogram are a  2i  3 j  k , b  i  5 j  2k then find unit vectors
parallel to diagonals
Sol. Diagonals are
a  b  3i  8 j  3k
a b  i  2 j  k
  3i  8 j  3k
Unit vector in the direction of a  b =
82
  i2jk
Unit vector in the direction of a  b 
6

2. The diagonals of a parallelogram are given by 3i  2 j  k , 5i  j  3k . Then lengths of adjacent

side.
Sol. Let a and b are adjacent sides
a  b  3i  2 j  k
a  b  5i  j  3k
----------------------------------
2a  8i  3 j  2k
3  77 21
a  4i  j  k  a  , 2b  2i  j  4k , 2 b  21 , b 
2 2 2

ii) In any parallelogram diagonals bisect each other, midpoint of 1st diagonal = mid point of 2nd diagonal
i.e., the centroid of parallelogram
OA  OB  OC  OD
 OE 
4
 OA  OB  OC  OD  4OE

  3 

iii) If L,M are midpoints of sides BC and CD of parallelogram ABCD then AL  AM  AC
2
AB  DC
D m
BC  AD  C
From ABC

 

AC  AB  BC …(1) l
ABl
A  B
Al  AB  Bl
BC
Al  AB  …(2)
2

From ADM
AD  DM  AM
AB
AM  AD  …(3)
2
(2) + (3)
  AB  BC 3
AL  AM  AB  BC   AC
2 2

Note: If ‘O’ is the orthocentre and ‘S’ is the circumcentre ‘D’ is the midpoint of the side BC
then AO  2 SD
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SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
Theorem : If S is circumcentre ‘O’ is the orthocentre of ABC a) SA  SB  SC  SO
b) OA  OB  OC  2OS
SB  SC
Sol.  SD
2
SB  SC  2SD
SB  SC  AO 
 2SD  AO 
SA  SB  SC
 SA  AO
 SO

b) S is origin A
OA  OB  OC

 SA  SO  SB  SO  SC  SO
B C
 SO  3SO D
 2SO
 2OS

Regular Hexagon :
n  n  3
If a polygon has n sides then total angle of polygon  n  2   and no.of diagonals of polygon is .
2
A polygon is said to be regular polygon if all sides are equal and all interior angles are equal.
1  
 If a is length of side of the regular polygon of n sides then its area is na 2 cot   .
4 n

Regular Hexagon

E a D

b ba

F  C
G
2b  a

a b a b
AD  2 BC 2b b
A a B

  
From ABC AC  AB  BC  AC  a  b

From ACD AC  CD  AD
CD  AD  AC
 2b  a  b
ba
ACD

AD
AG   BC
2

1. If AB  AC  AD  AE  AF   AG
 a  a  b  2b  2b  a  b  a   b
 6b   b
 6

Exercise : 3.1
   
1. If OA  i  j  k , AB  3i  2 j  k , BC  i  2 j  2k , CD  2 i  j  3k , find the position vector
of D.

9
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
Ans. OD  OA  AB  BC  CD
 7i  2 j  3k

2. If the position vectors of A, B, C, D are a  2b , 2a  b , a , 3a  b respectively, then find

   
AC , DA, BA, BC .
Ans. AC  OC  OA
 a   a  2b   2b
DA  OA  OD
 a  2b  3a  b  2a  b
BA  OA  OB
 a  2b  2a  b  a  3b
BC  OC  OB
 a  2a  b   a  b
 
3. If the position vectors of A, B, C are 2 i  j  k ,  4 i  2 j  2k , 6 i  3 j  13k and AB   AC , find
.
Ans. AB   AC

OB  OA   OC  OA 
2i  j  3k   8i  4 j  12k 
 2i  j  3k    4  2i  j  3k 
1

4
4. Let a  i  2 j  3k and b  3i  j . Find the unit vector in the direction of a  b .
a  b 4i  3 j  3k
Ans Unit vector 
ab 34

5. Three vectors 3i  5 j  2k , 2i  3 j  5k , 5i  2 j  3k form a ……… triangle.

abc  0
 It forms  le
abc
 It forms equilateral  le .

6. Let a  2 i  4 j  5k , b  i  j  k , c  j  2k . Find the unit vector in the opposite direction of

a b c .
a  b  c
Unit vector
abc
3i  6 j  2k

49
3i  6 j  2k

7

7. Show that the points with position vectors 2a  3b  5c , a  2b  3c , 7 a  c are collinear, where
a , b , c are three non-coplanar vectors.
Ans. OA  2a  3b  5c , OB  a  2b  3c ¸ OC  7 a  c
AB  3a  b  2c
BC  6a  2b  4c
AB  2 BC  
AB collinear to BC but B lies on both vectors so they are collinear.

8. If a , b , c are non-coplanar vectors, then test for the collinearity of the following points whose
position vectors are given by a  2b  3c , 2a  3b  4c ,  7b  10c
  
Ans. Let OA  a  2b  3c , OB  2a  3b  4c , OC   7b  10c
10
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
AB  a  5b  7c , BC  2a  10b  14c

BC  2  a  5b  7c 
BC  2 AB
 A,B,C are Collinear
9. If a , b , c are non-coplanar vectors, then test for the collinearity of the following points whose
position vectors are given by 3a  4b  3c ,  4a  5b  6c , 4a  7b  6c
  
Sol: Let OA  3a  4b  3c , OB   4a  5b  6c , OC  4a  7b  6c
AB  7 a  9b  9c , BC  8a  12b  12c
BC  s AB
 A,B,C are non collinear.

9. If a  2 i  5 j  k , b  4 i  mj  nk and a , b are collinear, find m, n .

2 5 1
 
Ans. 4 m n
m  10, n  2

10. If the vectors 3i  4 j   k and  i  8 j  6k are collinear vectors, then find  and  .
3 4 
Ans:  
u 8 6
u  6   3

11. a , b are non collinear vectors. If    x  4 y  a   2 x  y  1 b ,    y  2 x  2  a   2 x  3 y  1 b

then find x, y such that 3  2 .
Ans. 3  2
3   x  4 y  a   2 x  y  1 b   2   y  2 x  2  a   2 x  3 y  1 b 
3 x  12 y  2 y  4 x  4 6x  3 y  3  4x  6 y  2
7 x  10 y  4  0 2x  9 y  5  0
10 4 7 10
9 5 2 9
x y 1
  x. y  2, 1
86 43 43
3.2.1. Find the position vector of the point which divides the line joining the points 3a  4b and 4a  3b
in the ratio 2:3 i) internally and ii) externally.
OA  3a  4b OB  4a  3b
2:3
(i) internally (ii) 2 : 3
9a  12b  8a  6b 9a  12b  8a  6b
5 2  3
17a  18b  a  6b
 
5 1
 a  6b

3.2.2
Let ABC be triangle OA  a, OB  b, OC  c
A
Le D,E,F be mid points
cb ac a b
OD  , OE  , OF  F E
2 2  
 2
Let G1, G2 , G3 divides AD, BE , DF in ratio 2 : 1
B C
then P
bc
 a  2  2   a  b  c  a  b  c
OG1  OG2  OG3 
3 
  3 3
 OG1  OG2  OG3  G1  G2  G3

11
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

Angular Bisector:-
a b
If a and b are 2 non collinear vectors then there angular bisector is given by 
a b
1. a and b are 2 unit vectors the unit vector in direction of there angular bisector is …….
Sol. a 1 b 1
a b

a b
a b  
   a b
1 1
 Unit vector in its direction
a b

a b
2. a  i  j , b  j  k then unit vector in direction of angular bisector of a and b .
i i j k
Sol.  
2 2
i2jk

2
i2jk
 unit vector in its direction
6

3. Vector of length 3 102 in direction of angular bisector of angle between 4i  7 j  4k ,  i  2 j  2k .

Sol. Angular bisector
4i  7 j  4k i  2 j  2k

9 3
i  j  10k
9
i  j  10k
 Unit vector is
102
 i  j  10k 
 Vector of length 3 102 is 3 102  
 102 
 3i  3 j  30k

4. Vector of length 3 6 units in direction of angular bisector of angle between 7i  4 j  4k and

2i  j  2 k .
Sol. Angular bisector
7i  4 j  4k  2i  j  2k  A

9 3
i  7 j  2k

9
B C
D

i  7 j  2k
Unit vector
5
 i  7 j  2k 
Vector of 3 6 is 3 6
3 6
 i  7 j  2k
Note : If the internal angular bisector of A meets BC at D then BD : DC  AB : AC

1. A  4, 7, 8  , B  2, 3, 4  , C  2,5, 7  are the vertices of a  le then length of internal angular bisector of

A.
Sol. Let internal angular bisector of A meets BC at D then BD  DC  AB  AC
AB  4  16  16  6
12
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
BC  4  9  13
CA  4  4  1  3
AB  AC  2 :1
 BD : DC  2 :1
D
 2,3, 4    4,10,14 
3
 6 13 18 
 , , 
3 3 3 
 13 
  2, , 6 
 3 
Length of AD
64
1 4   4
9
136

3
a1 , a2 .....an are n non zero vectors then l1 a1  l2 a2  l3 a3  ..... is called linear combination of n vectors.
If one vector is expressed as linear combination of remaining then the n vectors are called linearly
dependent, otherwise they are called linearly independent.

1. If 3 vectors lie on same plane or parallel to the same plane then they are called coplanar vectors,
a  a1i  a2 j  a3 k , b  b1i  b2 j  b3 k , c  c1i  c2 j  c3 k are coplanar (l.d) then
a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3  0
c1 c2 c3
a1  b2 c3  c2b3   a2  b1c3  c1b3   a3  b1c2  c1b2   0
2p
3.1.6 Find p if 4 i  j  pk is parallel to i  2 j  3k .
3
2p
Ans. 4i  j  pk parallel to i  2 j  3k
3
p p
4 
3 3
p  12

3.1.7 a  2 i  j  k , b  i  3 j  5k . Find the vector c such that a , b and c form the sides of a triangle.

Ans. a  2i  j  k , b  i  3 j  5k
3 Vectors a , b and c form a  le if either a  b  c  0 (or) a  b  c sum of 2 vectors is equal to 3rd
vector.
   
abc  0
c    3i  4 j  4k 

(or) a  b  c  c  3i  4 j  4k
   
(or) a  c  b  c  i  2 j  6k
   
(or) b  c  a  c  i  2 j  6k
3.1.8 If a , b , c are non-coplanar vectors, then test for the collinearity of the points whose position vectors
are 2a  5b  4c , a  4b  3c , 4a  7b  6c .
Ans. AB   a  b  c
AC  2a  2b  2c
 2  a  b  c 
 2AB  AC
 
 AB, AC are collinear A,B,C are collinear.

13
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
3.1.9 Show that the vectors 3a  2b  4c ,  a  2c ,  2a  b  3c are linearly dependent.
Ans. 3a  2b  4c , a  2c , 2a  b  3c
3 2 4
1 0 2
2 1 3
 3  2   2  3  4   4  1
 6  2  4
0
 They are linear dependent

3.1.10 Show that the vectors i  j , j  k ,  k  i are linearly dependent.

1 1 0
Ans. 0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1  1 1  0
 1  1
 0 They are linear dependent

3.1.11 If a , b , c are linearly independent vectors, then show that a  2b  3c ,  2a  3b  4c ,  b  2c are

linearly dependent.
1 2 3
Ans. 2 3 4
0 1 2
 1 6  4   2  4   3  2 
 28 6
 0 They are linear dependent
   
3.2.3 OA  a , OB  b , OC  c , OD  d
A
Let G1 , G2 , G3 , G4 be centroids of ABC ,BCD, CDA, DAB then
abc bcd cd a abd
OG1  , OG2  , OG3  , OG4 
3 3 3 3 D
OD : OG1 = 3:1 B C
 abc 
3 d abc d
 3 
OH1  , Similarly OH 2   OH 3  OH 4
4 4

3.4.1 Prove that the points a  2b  3c , 2a  3b  4c ,  7b  10c are collinear when a , b , c are non-
coplanar vectors.
Ans. AB  a  5b  7c
BC  2a  10b  14c
  2  a  5b  7c  
 2AB  BC  the vectors are collinear

   

3.5.1 If AB  2 i  j  k , BC   i  2 j  k , CD  3i  j  k , OD  i  j  k , find the position vector of A.

Ans. OA  OD  CD  BC  AB
 i  j  k   4i  0 j  3k 
 3i  j  2k

3.5.2 Find a unit vector parallel to the sum (resultant) of the vectors 2 i  4 j  5k , i  2 j  3k .
  3i  6 j  2k 
Ans.
7

14
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
3.5.3 If A  3i  j  4k , B  2 i  4 j  3k and C  i  2 j  k , find (i) 2 A  B  3C (ii) A  B  C
(iii) a unit vector parallel to 3 A  2 B  4C .
Ans. i) 2 A  B  3C ii) A  B  C  93
11i  8k 2i  5 j  8k
iii) 3 A  2 B  4C
17i  3 j  10k
289  9  100  398
17i  3 j  10k 
Unit vector 
398

3.5.4 Show that the points 2 i  3 j  6k , 6 i  2 j  3k , 3i  6 j  2k form an equilateral triangle.

Ans. ,
OA  2i  3 j  6k , OB  6i  2 j  3k , OC  3i  6 j  2k
AB  8i  5 j  3k , BC  3i  8 j  5k CA  5i  3 j  8k
Magnitudes of sides are equal so they form equilateral triangle

3.5.5 Show that the points 7 j  10k ,  i  6 j  6k ,  4 i  9 j  6k form a right angled isosceles triangle.
Ans. AB  i  j  4k , BC  3i  3 j , CA  4i  2 j  4k
a  18 , b  18 , c6
2 2
 18    18   62
 They form right angled isosceles triangle

3.5.6 Show that the points 1,1,1 , 1, 2,3 ,  2, 1,1 form a isosceles triangle. Find the direction cosines of the
sides.
OA 1,1,1 , OB 1, 2,3 , OC  2, 1,1
AB  5 , BC  14 , CA  5
 1 2 
Directions cosines of AB   0, , 
 5 5
 1 3 2 
Directions cosines of BC   , , 
 14 14 14 
 1 2 
Directions cosines of CA   , ,0
 5 5 
3.5.7 Show that the points  2, 4, 1 ,  4,5,1 ,  3, 6, 3 form an isosceles right angled triangle. Find the
direction cosines of the sides.
Ans. OA   2, 4, 1 , OB   4,5,1 , OC   3, 6, 3

AB  (2,1, 2)  AB  3

BC  (1,1, 4)  BC  18
  2  2  2
CA  (1, 2, 2)  CA  3  AB  CA  BC

the points form an isosceles right angled triangle.

2 1 2
Directional cosines of AB   , , 
3 3 3
 1 1 4   1 2 2 
BC   , ,  ¸ CA   3 , 3 , 3 
 18 18 18   

3.5.8 Show that the point with position vectors 2i  j  k , 6 i  j  2k , 14 i  5 j  4k are collinear.
Ans. OA  2i  j  k , OB  6i  j  2k , OC  14i  5 j  4k
AB  4i  2 j  k , BC  8i  4 j  2k
2AB  BC
15
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
 A, B, C are collinear

3.5.9 Verify whether the points  2, 10, 2  ,  3,1, 2  ,  2,1,3 are collinear or not .
Ans. AB  i  11 j , BC  i  k , CA  11 j  k
 A, B, C are not collinear
 
3.5.10 If the position vectors of A, B, C are 1, 2,3 ,  0,1, 2  ,  1, 0,1 and if AB  k .AC , find k.
Ans. AB  i  j  k , AC  2i  2 j  2k
Given AB  k AC
1
k
2

3.5.16 Find the position vector of the point which divides the line joining the points i  j  k and
i  j  4k in the ratio 2:3.
Ans. i  j  k , i  j  4k
2:3
5i  5 j  5k

5
i jk

3.5.18 The position vectors of A and B are a and b respectively. If C is a point on the line AB such that
 
AC  5 AB then find the position vector of C .
Ans. OA  a , OB  b , OC  c
AC  5 AB
OC  a  5  b  a 
OC  5b  4a

3.5.19 Find the position vector of C on AB Produced such that AC = 3AB where a , b are the position
vectors of A, B respectively.
Ans. AC  3 AB
OC  a  3  b  a 
OC  3b  2a
  
3.5.20 If G is the centroid of ABC , then show that GA  GB  GC  O .
Ans. G is centroid of ABC
GA  GB  GC 3OG  OA  OB  OC
 OA  OB  OC  3  OG 
O

1. AB  a  2b  3c

2. OD  8i  10k

3. like vectors  both have same sign so a  b  a  b

4. AB  2i  j  2k
AB  3

2i  j  2k 4i  6 j  12k 2i  3 j  6k
5. i) ii) 
3 14 7
16
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

3i  7 j  2k
iii)
62

5i  2 j  k 3i  3 j  6k
6. i) ii)
30 7

 2 1 3 
7. 2i  j  3k  , , 
 14 14 14 

8. CD  2i  2 3 j
AB  3i  3 3 j
2 2 3
 so they are parallel
3 3 3
2
CD  AB
3

ii) 62  62  72
2 2
9 
3  1  32  3 1   3 8  72
2 2
9 3  1 3  2
3  1  9  8  72

iii) 1  4  36  41
4 11  6
1  9  25  35
2 2 2
 35   6   41 
iv) 4  9  25  38
9  25  4  38

v) AB  14 , BC  35 , CA  21
2 2 2
AB  CA  BC

 4 2 6   5 5 10   1 3 4 
10. AB   , , , BC   , ,  , CA   , , 
 56 56 56   150 150 150   26 26 26 

 1 1 2 
 , , 
 6 6 6

11. i) AB  2i  3 j  3k , BC  2i  3 j  3k

 A, B, C are collinear

ii) AB   a  2b  c
BC  5a  10b  5c
 5  a  2b  c 
 A, B, C are collinear

17
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
12. AB   a  2b  c
BC   x  4  a  4b  2c
 
5 AB  BC
2  a  2b  c    x  4  a  4b  2c
x  4  2
x2

Ex. 1) In the triangle ABC, D, E are mid points of AB & AC. If BE  DC   BC then   _____
OA  OC
A. OE 
2
OB  OC
OD 
2
BE  DC  OE  OC  OD  OB
OA  OC  OB  OA 
  OC     OB
2  2 
3 3
 BC   
2 2

2.   
A a , B b , C c are 3 collinear points. If 7a  2b   c  0 then

(i)   9  7  2    0
(ii) The ratio A divides BC = -9 : 2
[ coeff of C : coeff of b = -9:2]
(iii) The ratio in which B divides AC = -9 : 7
(iv) The ratio in which C divides AB = 2 : 7

5. If the vector i  j  5k bisects angle between a &  i  2 j  2k . Then the unit vector in the direction of a
is _______
A. a  b  i  2 j  2 k
a b a  i  2 j  2k 
The vector in the direction of the angular bisector is    
a b a  3 
  i 3 j  5 k 
a  i  2 j  2k 
   i  3 j  5k    
a  3 
a
Since is a unit vector
a
 3  1 i   9  2  j  15  2  k
1
3
1 2 2 2
1  3  1   9  1  15  2 
3
9  9 2  6  81 2  4  36  225 2  4  60
 315 2  18  0
2

35
a 2  i  2 j  2k 
   i  3 j  5k    
a 35  3 
a 6i  18 j  30k  35i  70 j  70k

a 105
a 41i  88 j  40k
 
a 105

18
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
1. a  4i  3k , b  14i  2 j  5k are laid from one point. The vector d which is being laid of from the same
point dividing the angle between a & b in equal half and having magnitude 6 then d  ___________
Note : In the triangle ABC, if the internal angular bisector of A meets BC at D then BD : DC  AB : AC

2. A(-2,1,-3), B(0,4,3), C(2,5,4) if the internal angular bisector of A meets BC at D, then

D = ____________, AB = ________, length of AD = ________________

Collinear Vectors / Parallel Vectors :

Ex. 1. a  2i  5 j  k , b  4i  mj  nk If a & b are collinear, then m+n = 12
3. If the points A (1,2,3), B (3,4,7), C (-3,x,y) are collinear then, x  y  ________
A. AB and AC are collinear [ A, B, C are coll.]
AB  2i  2 j  4k
AC  4i   x  2  j   y  3 k
 AB & AC are collinear.
2 2 4
 
4 x  2 y  3
 x  2  4 y  3  8
x  2 y  5
4. A (2,1,1), B(6,-1,2), C(14,x,y) then y  x  _________
A. AB & AC are collinear
AB  4i  2 j  k
AC  12i   x  1 j   y  1 k
4 2 1
 
12 x  1 y  1
 x  1  6  x  5
y 1  3  y  4
y  x  9

Ex. 1. a & b are non-zero, non-collinear vectors. If  2sin x  1 a    cos x  3 b  0 then   2 3

2sin x  1  0  cos x  3  0
A. 1 3
sin x    3
2 2
2
x  30o  3
3
   2 3

3. a, b, c are 3 unit vectors pairwise non-collinear. If a  2b is collinear with c and b  3c is collinear with
a. If a  2b   c is a null vector, then   _________
A.  a  2b  Sc 
 b  3c  a  2
a  6c  Sc  2  a
  2t  3 a   S  6  c  0
1
t   , S  6
2
a  2b  6c  a  2b  6c  0
 6

6. A (5,1,1), B (4,3,0), C(x,7,y) are will then x + y = ________

A. AB  i  2 j  k
AC   x  5  i  6 j   y  1 k
AB, AC are collinear
19
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
1 1 1
  
5  x 3 1 y
x  2 y  2
 x  y  4

7. A (3,-2,4), B(1,1,1), C (x,4,y) are collinear then xy = _________

A. AB & AC are collinear
AB  2i  3 j  3k
AC   x  3 i  6 j   y  4  k
AB & AC are collinear
2 1 3
  
3 x 2 4 y
x  1 y  2

8. A(2,3,1), B(1,1,x), C(6,y,5) are collinear then xy = _____________

A. AB  i  2 j   x  1 k
AC  4i   y  3 j  4k
AB & AC are collinear
1 2 x 1
  
4 y 3 4

Parallelogram:

Ex. 2.OACB is a parallelogram OC  a and AB  b then OA  ________

A. OC  OA  AC  1
OA  AB  OB
 AB  OB  OA
AB  AC  OA   2 
ab
1   2  ,  OA
2

* If a1 , a2 ,..........an are n-linearly independent vectors then

l1 a1  l2 a 2  ........  ln a n  0
 l1  0, l2  0,.........ln  0
* If a  a1i  a2 j  a3 k , b  b1i  b2 j  b3k , c  c1i  c2 j  c3k are linearly dep. Vectors then
a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3  0
c1 c2 c3

1. In a triangle OAB, E is midpoint of BO D is a point on AB such that AD : DB : 2:1. If OD and AE

intersect at P. Then :
(i) OP : PD = ______
(ii) AP : PE = _______
Ans. Let O be the origin
b
OA  a, OB  b, OE 
2
Let P divides OD in the ratio 1:1

 OD 
 
l OD  1 0 
l 1
20
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
a  2b
OD  [ D divides AB in the ratio 2:1]
3
 a  2b 
l 
 3 
 OD  (1)
l 1
Let P divides AE in the ratio M=1
m
OP 
   
m OE  1 OA
 2
ba
(2)
m 1 m 1
But (1) & (2) rep. OP ,
la 2l a mb
 b 
3 1  1 3 1  1 m  1 2  m  1
l 1
Compare a coeff.   3
3 1  1 m  1
l m
b coeff   4
3  l  1 2  m  1
1 2
(3) & (4)   m4
2 m
3
Sub m  4 in (3)  l 
2
 DP : PD  3 : 2
AP : PE  4 :1

2. OACB is a parallelogram and O is at origin and OC is a diagonal D is midpoint of OA . If BD & CO

intersect in some ratio then the ratio is ______
A. OA  a and OB  b
Let
a
OD 
2
Let P divides BD in the ratio l :1
l
a b
 OP  2 1
l 1
P divides CO in the ratio l :1
l  0  c a  b
 OP    2
l 1 l 1
la b a b
1   2     
2 1  l  l  1 l  1 l  1
l 1

2 1  l  l  1
l 2
 P divides BD in the ratio 2:1 and CO in the ratio 2:1.

3. In the triangle ABC, D & E are on the sides BC & AC resp. such that BD = 2DC & AE = 3EC. AD & BE
intersect at P. Then (i) AP : PD = _____ (ii) BP : BE = _________
A. D divides BC in the ratio 2 : 1
E divides AC in the ratio 3 : 1
Let A be the origin
P divides AD in the ratio l 1
21
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

l AD   l  b  2c 
P   1
l 1 l 1  3 
P divides BE in the ratio m=1
m  AE   1 AB  m  3C  b
P    2
m 1 m  1  4  m  1
1   2 
Comparing (1) & (2)
l 1
b coeff    3
 
l  1 3 m  1
2l 3m
c coeff    4
3  l  1 4  m  1
1 4 8
(3) / (4)   m
2 3m 3
l 3

 l  1 3 11
l 9
   11l  9l  9
l  1 11
9
l
2
 AP : PD  9 : 2, BP : PE  8 : 3
BP : BE  8 :11

DOT PRODUCT
a and b are non zero vectors and angle between them is  then a.b is called dot product or scalar
product of the two vectors.
 a.b 
 a.b  a b cos  and  = cos 1   b
a b
 
 If a.b  0 the angle between two vectors is acute     0,  a
2

 If a.b  0 the angle between two vectors is obtuse     ,  
2

 If a.b  0 then    the two vectors are perpendicular to each other.
2
 The dot product obeys commutative law  a.b  b.a
2
 a.a  a 2  a
2 2 2
 a  b  a  b  2a.b
2 2 2
 a  b  a  b  2a.b
    2 2
  
a  b . a b  a  b 
2 2 2 2
 a  b  c  a  b  c  2 a.b  b.c  c.a 

iii)

22
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

5. a .  a  2b   0 , b.  a  b   0 then  a , b    .
2 a.b
Sol. a  2a.b  0 cos   2 2
a b

2
2
 b 
1
a  2a.b   cos  
 2 b b 

2  1 
a b   b   cos1  
 2
2 2 3
a 2b 
4
a 2b
Note: a.b  a b

Point: II. By using vector method prove that cos      cos  cos   sin  sin  .
Sol. l , j are unit vector along x, y are respectively
P  x1 , y1  , Q  x2 , y2  are 2 fixed points then

Q x2 , y2 
OP  x1i  y1 j , OQ  x2i  y2 j r2 y2
 x1 A
Let OP  r1 OQ  r2  x2 B
r1 y1
Let  ,  are angles made by
Vectors OP, OQ with x-axis respectively 
P x1, y1 
Q x ,y 
 PQR    
PA, QB are perpendiculars drawn from P and Q to x-axis then from OAB
x y
cos   1 sin   1
r1 r1
x
OBQ cos   2
r2
y
sin   2
r2
OP.OQ  OP OQ cos    
x1 x2  y1 y2  r1r2 cos    
r1 cos  r2 cos   r1 sin  r2 sin   r1r2 cos    
cos      cos  cos   sin  sin 

Prove that cos      cos  cos   sin  sin 

Sol. OP  x1i  y1 j
OQ  x2i  y2 j P  x1, y1 
POQ    
r1 Q  x2 , y2 
x y1 r2
cos   1
r1   y2

y 
sin   1 O x1 x2
r1

23
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
x2 y2
cos   sin  
r2 r2
OP.OQ  OP OQ cos     B
x1 x2  y1 y2  r1r2 cos     b
cos      cos  cos   sin  sin  
O x M A
a

From OMB
OB  OM  MB
OM is called component of b in the direction of a .
MB is component of b is perpendicular to a
OM is orthogonal projection of b on a .

OM 
 a.b  a
2
a
From  OMB
x
cos 
b
x  b cos 
a.b
x
a
Vector of x units in direction of a is
xa
OM 
a


 a.b  a
2
a
a.b
Note : The length of the projection b on a is
a
a.b
The length of projection of a on b is
b
The length of projection of a on b is same as length of projection of b on a then
a.b a.b

b a
a  a.b    a.b  b  0
 a.b   a  b   0
a  b 0
a  b (or)
a and b are equal.
 e is unit vector in direction of a then
a.b
i) the length of projection of b on a is
a
a
 .b
a
 e.b
ii) the length of orthogonal projection
xa
   e.b  e
a

24
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
Prove by Vector Method
In a ABC a  b cos c  c cos b
Sol. BC  a
CA  b
AB  c A

 AB, AC   A
 BA, BC   B
B C
 AC , BC   C
AB  BC  CA  0
BC   AB  CA
BC.BC   AB.BC  CA.BC
2
BC  BA.BC  CA.CB
2
BC  BA.BC  CA.CB
a  c cos B  b cos C

Cosine rule :
a 2  b 2  c 2  2bC cos A
BC   AB  CA
2 2 2
BC  AB  CA  2 AB.CA  
a2  c2  b2  2  AB.AC 
a 2  c 2  b 2  2b cos A

3. If a  b then vectors a  b, a  b are perpendicular. If a  b and a  b are perpendicular then

a  b.

2. a  3i  4 j  5k , b  i  7 j  xk if a  b , a  b , are perpendicular then x  ___ .

Sol. a  b
1  49  x 2  50
x0
7.  
a , b, c are equal vectors such that a  b  c  0 then a , b .
Sol. x 2  x 2  2 x 2 cos 2   x 2
2
cos  
3
 
NOTE: If a , b are 2 unit vectors an angle between them is  then a  b  2 cos , a  b  2 sin
2 2
ab  ab   
 tan   
And ab  ab  4 2
.
Sol. Given that a  1 , b  1 and angle between a and b is  .
2 2
a  b  12  12  2 a b cos  a  b  12  12  2 a b cos 
2
 2 1  cos   a  b  2 1  cos  
 2  
 2.2 cos 2 a  b  4 sin 2  a  b  2 sin
2 2 2
2  
a  b  4 cos 2  a  b  2 cos
2 2

25
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
 
L2. If a , b and a  b are equal vectors then angle between a and b is 1200 .
Sol. Let a  b  a  b  x
ab  x
2 2
a  b  2 a b cos   x 2
2 x 2 1  cos   x 2

4 cos 2 1
2
 1
cos 
2 2

 60   1200
2
 
L3. If, a , b and a  b are equal vectors then angle between a and b is 600 .
Sol. Let a  b  a  b  x
2 2
a  b  2 a b cos   x 2
2 x 2 1  cos   x 2
1
cos     600
2


1. If a  b  a  b then range of angle between a and b is    ,
2 
2 2
Sol.   a  b    a  b 
2 2 2 2
 a  b  2a.b  a  b  2a.b
 4a.b  0  a.b  0   is acute

2. If a  b  a  b then range of angle between a and b is    ,  
2
 4a.b  0
 a.b  0
3. If a  b  a  b then the angle between a and b is   900

4. If a  b  a  b , a and b are like vectors  a  s b  S  0 .

2 2 2 2
Sol. a  b  2a.b  a  b  2 a b
2 a b cos   2 a b
cos  1
   00
 2 vectors are in same direction.

3. a  b  a  b then a and b are unlike vectors  a  Sb where S  0

2 2
Sol. a  b  2a.b  a  b  2 a b .
 cos   1
  1800
 2 vectors are in opposite direction.

N1: If a  3 , b  4 , c  5 and a  b  c  0 then angle between a and b is   900 .

 2 2 2
Sol.  a  b   c  a  b  c  a  b  2a.b  c  9  16  2 12  cos  25
 cos   0    900
N2: If a  1 , b  2 , c  3 , a  b  c  0 then find the angle between a and b .
2 2
Sol. ab  c
1  4  4cos   9
  00
26
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

N3. If a  3 , b  5 , c  7 , a  b  c  0 . then find the angle between a and b .

Sol. 9  25  30cos   49
30 cos  15
1
cos  
2
0
  60

2 2
N4. If a  1 , b  2 and a  2b  a  b  20 then angle between a and b is
Sol. 1  16  4a.b  1  4  2a.b  20
22  2a.b  20
2a.b  2
a.b  1
1
cos   
2
2

3
2 2
5. a  1 , b  2 , a  2b  a  b  20
Sol. 1  16  4a.b  1  4  2a.b  20
22  a.b  20
a.b  1
1 
cos     
2 3

6. a , b, c are 3 unit vectors and angle between each pair is 600 ,then a  b  c is ………..
2  3
Sol. a  b  c  3 2 
 2
6
abc  6

7. a  1 , b  2 , c  3 and angle between each pair is 600 ,then a  b  c is ………..

2  3
Sol. a  b  c  1  4  9  2 1  3  
 2
 14  11
2
a  b  c  25
abc  5
3
a, b, c are unit vectors and a  b  c  0 then a.b  b.c  c.a 
2
3
Note : If a, b, c are 3 unit vectors the least value of a.b  b.c  c.a is .
2
a  b  c  0 so it is least when a  b  c =0
2 2 2
1. a, b, c are 3 unit vectors then maximum value of a  b  b  c  c  a is ……..
2 2 2 2 2 2   
Sol: a  b  b  c  c  a  2  a  b  c   2 a.b  b.c  c.a
 
 
3
 a, b, c are unit vectors, the least value of a.b  b.c  c.a is .
2
2 2 2
 the maximum value of a  b  b  c  c  a is 9
2. a, b, c are unit vectors, angle between a, b is  . b and c is  and c, a are perpendicular.
If a  b  c is unit vector cos   cos 
2 2 2 2

a  b  c  1  a  b  c  1 a  b  c  2 a.b  b.c  c.a =1
,

27
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
1 3
 a.b  b.c  c.a   cos   cos   1
2

Note : If a is perpendicular to b  c , b is perpendicular c  a , c is perpendicular a  b then a , b, c are

mutually perpendicular.
Explanation :
a.  b  c   0 b.  c  a   0 c.  a  b   0
a.b  a.c  0 …(1) b.c  b.a  0 …(2) a.c  b.c  0 …(3)
(1) + (2) + (3)
a.b  b.c  c.a  0 …(4)
(4) – (1) b.c  0
b and c are perpendicular
(4) – (2) c.a  0
c and a are perpendicular
 a, b, c are perpendicular
Note : i.i  j. j  k .k  1
i. j  j.k  k .i  0

1. If a  a1i  a2 j  a3 k , b  b1i  b2 j  b3 k then a .b  a1b1  a2 b2  a3b3

2 2 2 2
If a is any vector then i)  a .i    a . j    a .k   a ii)  a.i  i   a. j  j   a.k  k  a
Sol. i) a  xi  yj  zk
a.i  x
a. j  y a.k  z
2
x2  y 2  z 2  a

ii)  a.i  i   a. j  j   a.k  k  a

let a  xi  yj  zk
xi  yj  zk  a

Dot product
4.1.1 a  2i  3 j  k , b  5i  2 j  2k ,
a.b  10  6  2
2

4.1.3 a  a1i  a2 j  a3k

a.a  a12  a22  a32
a  a12  a22  a32

4.1.8 i  2 j  3k , 3i  j  2k
7 1
cos   
14 14 2

 
3

4.1.10 a.b  0
8  6  2  0
 1

4.1.11 a  b  30
2  529  506 cos   900
506 cos   250

28
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
125
cos  
253
2
a  b  121  529  506 cos 
 125 
 650  506    400
 253 
a  b  20

4.1.12 a  b  c  x
a.  a  b  c 
abc cos  
a abc
2
2 2 2 a 1
a  b  c  3x  2 x  0  2

3a 3
a  b  c  3x
b.  a  b  c  1 1
cos    cos  
b a bc 3 3

4.1.14 a  b  c  1
2 2 2
ab  bc  ca
 
 6  2   a.b 
 
 3 
 6  2 
 2 
9

1
4.1.15 e1  e2  sin 
2
1 
2sin  sin 
2 2
1

2

4.1.16 Let vector is xi  yj

Perpendicular to 4i  3 j  k  0
4x
4x  3 y  0  y 
3
xi  4 j is unit vector
 x2  y 2  1
216 x 2
x  1
9
9 3 4
x2  x , y
25 5 5
1
 vector is   3i  4 j 
5

4.1.18 a, b, c be G.P.
a   x p 1 b   x q 1 c   x r 1
log a  log    p  1 log x

 .    q  r  log a

   q  r   log    p  1 log x 

29
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

 log    q  r   log x   p  1 q  r 

 log   0   log x  0 
0
  &  are perpendicular

4.1.20 AB  AD
AC  4i  2 j D  C
i  2k  
BD  CB  AB 
 2i  2 j  4k
8  4 3 A 3i  2 j 2k B
cos   
20 24 10

4.1.23 ACB  0
AC .CB  0
 a.b  0
2a  b a  2b A
CP  , CQ  P
3 3 Q
2 2
   CQ 
 CP
C  0, 0  B
1
 5a 2  5b 2  4a.b 
9
5 5

  a 2  b 2   a 2  b 2  2a.b
9 9

5 2 5 2
  b  a    AB 
9 9
Exercise 4.1
12  18  18
1. cos 
 7 11
12

77
 12 
  cos1  
 77 

2. a  3i  6 j  2k
3i  6 j  2k 3  6  2
 cos1   , cos1   , cos1  
7 7  7  7

3. a  b  4i  j  k a  b  2i  3 j  5k
 a  b  .  a  b   8  3  5
0
 a  b, a  b are perpendicular
4. a b  a b
2a.b  2a.b
4a.b  0
cos   0
  900

5. 8  2t  2  0
2t  6
t 3

6. 2 2  3  5  0

30
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
3  9  40

4
3  7

4
10
  1 0  
4
5
 1,
2

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1) i) 2a  b  7i  3 j  4k
a  2b  8i  k
56  4 52
cos   
74 65 4810
ii)  2, 2, 1
2 2  1 
cos1   , cos1   , cos1  
3 3  3

3  12  20
2. ab  c cos  
41 35
  le
 35 
cos  2  3  5  0   cos 1  
 41 
 900
So right angle
6 44  6 
cos     cos1  
41 6  41 

4. i) a  3 , b  5 , c  7
abc  0
a  b  c
ab  c
9  25  30cos  a, b   49
30cos  a, b   15
15 
cos  a, b    
30 3

ii) a, b, c  2,3, 4
a, b, c are perpendicular to b  c, c  a, a  b
 a, b, c are mutually perpendicular
2
a  b  c  4  9  16  2  0 
a  b  c  29

5. Let r  xi  yj  zk
2 x  3 y  z  9 …(1) 4x  y  7 x  3 y  7 z  6 …(2) y  7  4x
3 x  6 z  15
x  2z  5
2 5 1 2
13 x  7 z  27
7 27 13 7
x y 1
 
11 18 19

31
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
14 x  21y  7 z  63
x  3y  7z  6
------------------------.
15 x  18 y  69
5x  6 y  23
24 x  6 y  42
------------------------
19 x  19 x  1 y  3 z  2
   i  3 j  2k

4.5.1 a  2i  3 j  6k
2 3 6
cos   cos   cos  
7 7 7

4.5.2 a  b  4 j  4k c  3i  j  tk
 a  b  .c  0
4  4t  0
t  1

4.5.3 2a  b  5i  3 j  4k a  2b  7i  k
35  4 31
cos   
50 50

4.5.4 a  b  k  1 a  b  c  0
2
abc  0
1  1  1  2  a.b  b.c  c.a   0
3
 a.b  2

4.5.5  x  a  .  x  a   15
x 2  a 2  15
x 2  16 x  4

4.5.6 a.b  6  12  6
0
 a & b are perpendicular

4.5.7 AC  4i  2 j
BD  2i  2 j  4k D  C
8  4 
cos    i  2k
20 24
6  3 A 3i  2 j 2k B
 
120 10
4.5.9 a  b  c  d  1
2
abcd
 12  12  12  12  2  a.b  b.c  c.d  d .a  a.c  b.d 
3
 4  2 
2
7

32
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
Note : a1 , a2 , a3 ..........an are n non zero vector then l1 a1  l2 a2  .....ln an is called the linear combination of n
vectors.

 If one vector is expressed as linear combination of remaining then n vectors are linearly dependent
otherwise they are linearly independent.

 3 Vectors a, b, c are said to be coplanar if the 3 vectors lie on same plane or parallel to same plane.
 Linearly dependent vectors are always coplanar.
If a  a1i  a2 j  a3k , b  b1i  b2 j  b3k , c  c1i  c2 j  c3k are coplanar then
a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3  0
c1 c2 c3
4 points A, B, C , D are said to coplanar if 3 vectors AB, AC , AD are coplanar.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1 1 2
1) i) 0 1 2
1 2 4
 1 4  4   1 0  2   2  0  1
0
 3 vectors are L.D.

1 2 1
ii) 2 1 1
7 4 1
 1 3  2  9   1 15 
0

1 3 2
2) 2 4 1
3 2 1
 1 6   3  1  2  1
 11  0
 linearly independent

1 1 1
3. 4 3 4 0
1  
1 3  4   1 4  4   1 4  3  0
   1
 1
Given 1   2   2  3
1  2 1  3
2 1
  1

4. AB  4a  3b  4c
AC  7a  0b  3c
AD  18a  3b  2c
4 3 4
7 0 3
18 3 2

33
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
 4  9   3 14  54   4  21
 36  120  84
0
Four points OA, OB, OC , OD are coplanar.

VECTOR EQUATIONS OF A LINE AND PLANE

   
Note : A line is passing through A a and B b is r  a  S b  a where  is position vector of any point
on line S in any scalar

 A line passing through 2 points A and B is defined as the locus of the point P moves such that the 3 points
A, P, B are collinear.

 The position vector of any point P is always taken as  where   xi  yj  zk . Since A,P,B are collinear.

AP  S AB
  
r

  a  S b  a  Aa  p B b 
  a S ba  
1. A line is passing through A  1, 2, 3  , B  3, 5, 7  then vector equation to line is a  i  2 j  3k ,
b  3i  5 j  7 k .
Sol.   i  2 j  3k  S  2i  3 j  4k 

2. If   xa  yb represents vector equation to the line passing through 2 points A a and B b then   
x y
Sol. We know that line passing through A a  B b is  
r  a5 ba 
r  a 1  5   5b
 xa  yb  a 1  5  5b
 x  1 5 y 5
 x  y 1

3. r  a sin 2   cos 2  represent

Sol. sin 2   cos 2   1
It represents a straight line passing through two points a and b

Note : A  x1 , y1 , z1  , a  x1i  y1 j  z1k , B  x2 , y2 , z2  , b  x2i  y2 j  z2 k then Cartesian equation to the

x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
line passing through 2 points is   S
x2  x1 y2  y1 z2  z1
Proof : We know that vectors equation passing through a and b is
r  aS ba    r  xi  yj  zk
xi  yj  zk  x i  y1 j  z1k  S  x2  x1  i   y2  y1  j   z2  z1  k
 x  x1  i   y  y1  j   z  z1  k  S  x2  x1  i   y2  y1  j   z2  z1  k 
x  x1  S  x2  x1 
y  y1  S  y2  y1 
z  z1  S  z2  z1 
34
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
S  
x2  x1 y2  y1 z2  z1

Note : The denominator gives the direct ratios of the line passing through a  x1i  y1 j  z1k ,
b  x2i  y2 j  z2 k .

1. A  3, 5,1 , B  7, 2, 4  then Cartesian equation.

x  3 y  5 z 1
Sol.  
10 3 5
Cartesian equation to x-axis
x0 y0 z 0
 
1 0 0
x y z
 
1 0 0
 D.R’s of x-axis 1,0, 0 
x y z
y-axis   D.R’s  0,1, 0 
0 1 0
x y z
z-axis   D.R’s  0, 0,1
0 0 1

2.   
A line is passing through A a and parallel to vector b then vector equation to line r  a  Sb .
Sol.
p r 
 
Aa 


b
The locus of point ‘P’ moves such that AP and b are parallel is a straight line passing through A a and 
parallel to vector b .
 AP  Sb
 r  a  Sb
 r  a  Sb

Note : A line is passing through A  x1 , y1 , z1  and it is parallel to the vector whose D.R’s are  ,  , 
x  x1 y  y1 z1  z2
Then Cartesian equation to the line is   .
  
Explanation :
  a  Sb
xi  yj  zk   x1i  y1 j  z1k   S  i   j   k 
x  x1 y  y1 z1  z2
  S
  

4. A line is passing through A  5,1, 4  and it is parallel to a line whose D.R’s are  2, 3, 6  then
i) its vector equation ii) Cartesian equation
Sol. i) r  a  Sb
  5i  j  4k   S  2i  3 j  6k 
x  5 y 1 z  4
ii)  
2 3 6
x 1 y  7 z 1
   S
4 3 2
i) A point on line is  1, 7, 1
ii) Vector in direction of this line is 4i  3 j  2k

35
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
5. A line is passing through A  2, 3,1 and it is parallel to vector whose D.R’s are  2, 3, 6  then i) the
vector equation ii) Cartesian equation. Find points on the line which are at a distance 14 units from
A.
p r 
Sol. a  2i  3 j  k  
A a 
b  2i  3 j  6k
i) Vector equation 
b
r  a  Sb
  2i  3 j  k   S  2i  3 j  6k 
x  2 y  3 z 1
ii)  
2 3 6
 
Let p r1 is a point on the line which is at a distance 14 units from A.
since it lies on the line
r  a  Sb
 r1  a  Sb but AP  14
r1  a  14

Sb  14
S 7  14
S  2, 2
r1   2, 3,1  2  2,3, 6 
 6i  9 j  13k
r1   2, 3,1  2  2,3, 6 
 2i  3 j  11k

If 3 vectors a , b, c are coplanar then a  xb  yc . If 4 points A, B , C , D are coplanar.

Sol.  3 vectors AB, AC , AD are coplanar B

`  AB  x AC  y AD A
C
D
3 Vectors are said to be coplanar if 3 vectors lie on same plane are parallel to the same plane.

A plane is passing through 3 points A,B,C then vector equation to the plane is
   
r  a  S b  a  t c  a plane passing through A, B , C is defined as the locus of the point P moves
such that 4 points A,B,C,P are coplanar.
Sol. 3 Vectors AB, AC, AP are coplanar
 AP  S AB  t AC
Let position vector of P is r
   
r a  S ba t ca
r  a  S b  a   t  c  a 

1. A plane is passing through A  1, 2, 3  , B  3, 1, 4  , C  5, 4, 5  then its vector equation is

Sol. r  1i  2 j  3k   S  2i  3 j  k   t  4i  2 j  8k 

2.    
r  xa  yb  zc represents a plane passing through A a , B b , C c then x  y  z  ____

  
Sol. r  a  S b  a  t c  a 
xa  yb  zc  a 1  S  t   b  S   c  t 
x  1 S  t
yS
z t
x  y  z 1
36
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

3. A plane is passing through A a , B b    

and parallel to vector C c then equation to plane is


r  a S ba t c .  
Sol.  
AP  S AB  tC

r  a  S b  a   t c 

r  a  S b  a   t  c 

4. A plane is passing through A a   and parallel to vectors b and c then equation o the plane
r  a  Sb  tc

5. Find the vector equation to the passing through A  7, 3, 4  , B  2, 1,1 and determine the point
where this line cuts the plane passing through points C  2,1, 3  D  4, 1, 2  , E  3, 0,1 .
Sol. Line passing through two points
r  aS ba  
r   7i  3 j  4k   S  5i  2 j  3k  …(1)
The plane passing through 3 points

r  c p ec q ec  
r   2i  j  3k   p  2i  2 j  5k   q  i  j  4k  …(2)
Let the line (1) cuts plane (2) at the point p  x1 , y1 , z1  r1
 p satisfies both equation (1) and (2)
r1   7i  3 j  4k   S  5i  2 j  3k  …(3)
r1   2i  j  3k   p  2i  2 j  5k   q  i  j  4k  …(4)
Equation i, j , k coeff
7  55  2  2 p  q …(5)
1  2 p  q  3  2 S …(6)
Add (5) and (6)
3  4  3S
3S  1
1
S Sub in equation (3)
3
1
r1   7i  3 j  4k    5i  2 j  3k 
3
16i  7 j  9k

3
EXERCISE – 3.3
1. r  a  Sb
  2i  3 j  k   S  4i  2 j  3k 

2.  2,1, 3  4,3, 1

r   2i  j  3k   S  6i  2 j  4k 
x  2 y 1 z  3
Collinear equation  
6 2 4
x  2 y 1 z  3
 
3 1 2
6. i) 1, 2,5  ,  0, 5, 1  3,5, 0 
r  i  2 j  5k  S  i  3 j  6k    4i  7 j  5k 

ii)  0, 0, 0   0,5, 0   2, 0,1

r  t  5 j   S  2i  k 

37
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
  5t  j  S  2i  k 

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

2) r  2a  3b  c  S  a  b  c  …(1)
r   a  2b  3c   p  0  4b  3c  …(2)
Let (1) and (2) intersect at r1
 r1 satisfies in both (1) and (2)
 equating coefficient of ‘a’
2  S  1  p 0
 S  1
Sub in equation (1)
r1  a  2b

3. A  4, 3, 1 , B  3, 7, 10  , C  2,5, 7 

r  4i  3 j  k  S  i  10 j  9k   t  2i  8 j  6k 
p  i  2 j  3k
Let p, r intersect at r1
1  4  S  2t 3  10S  8t  2
1  9S  6t  3 10S  8t  5
S  2t  3 …(4) 4S  8t  12
6S  7
7 16
S t
6 3

4. 
a , b, c are 3 non coplanar vectors. Find values of p for which the lines r  a  b  2c  t 8a  3b  c 
 
and r  a  b  3c  S 7a  4b  pc intersect.
Sol. Let us consider 2 lines intersect at A  r  1

 The point A lies on both the lines


 r1  a  b  c  t 8a  3b  c …(1) 

 r1  a  b  3c  S 7 a  4b  pc  …(2)
Equation coefficient of (1) and (2)
1  8t  1  75 1  3t  1  45 2  t  3  ps
14 p16
8t  75 4S  3t  2 2   3 
11 11
7 16 14 215
t   4S  2 8  33  16 p
8 11 11 8
16 41
S p
11 16

x2 y2 z3

5. The Cartesian equation of a line is   then find vector equation to line.
1 2 1
Sol. This line is passing through  2, 2,3
D.R’s are 1, 2,1
Vector equation to line passing through A a and D.R’s are
r aS b 
 2i  2 j  3k  S  i  2 j  k 

6. The vector equation to the line is r  i  2 j  3k  t  2i  2 j  5k  then Cartesian equation is

Sol. Given line passing through 1, 2,3
D.R’s are  2, 2,5
38
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
x 1 y  2 z  3
  
2 2 5

7. A line passing through 2i  3k and parallel to vector 4i  3 j  k then

Sol. Vector eq  r  a  Sb  2i  3k  S  4i  3 j  k 
x y2 z3
Cartesian eq   
4 3 1

8. A plane is passing through point 4i  3 j  k , 3i  7 j  10k and 2i  10 j  5k . Write its vector

equation and verify whether point i  2 j  4k lies on this plane or not ?
  
Sol. r  a  S b  a  t c  a 
 4i  3 j  k  S  i  10 j  9k   t  2i  13 j  6k 
Substitute the point in r
Equation coefficient
1  4  S  2t …(1)
2  3  10 S  13t …(2)
4  1  9 S  6t …(3)
Solve (1) and (2)
S  2t  3 10 S  13t  5
10 S  20t  30
------------------
50
S  3 7t  25
7
29 25
 t
7 7
Sub in equation (3)
6t  9S  5
25 9  29
 6  S
7 7
So it not lies on the plane

9. By using vector equation to the plane show that the points whose position vectors are
OA  2a  3b  c , OB  a  2b  3c , OC  3a  4b  2c and OD  a  6b  6c are coplanar.
Sol. Equation to plane passing through A, B, C
  
r  OA  S OB  OA  t OC  OA 
  
a  6b  6c  2a  3b  c  S  a  5b  4c  t a  b  c 
Substitute OD in equation
1 2S t ..(1) 6  5S  t ..(2)
Solve (1) and t 6  55  S  1
5
S t 1 S
4
t  S 1
1

4
Sub in equation (3)
1 4s
t  4S  
4 4
 75
So OD does not pass through the plane. Hence non coplanar
4S  t
1
 5
4

10. Show that whose P.V OA  4a  3b  c , OB  3a  7b  10c , OC  2a  5b  7c , OD  a  2b  3c are

coplanar, by using vector equation to the plane.
  
Sol. r  OA  S OB  OA  t OC  OA 
39
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

  
 4a  3b  c  S  a  10b  9c  t 2a  2b  8c 
Sub OD in equation
1  4  S  2t …(1) 2  3  10 S  2t …(2)
S  2t  3 10 S  3  S  5 3  1  9S  8k
8
2t  3  9S  8
9
19 8
t S
18 9

Cross Product
 a and b are 2 non zero vectors, then a  b is called vector product.
 The vector a  b is perpendicular to both the vector a and b and also perpendicular to plane containing a
and b .
a b
 If a and b are 2 non zero vectors the unit vector perpendicular to a and b is 
a b
x a b
 The vector of length x units that is perpendicular to both a and b is  .
a b

If  is angle between a and b then a  b  a b sin nˆ

where n̂ is unit vector in direction of a  b
 n̂ is perpendicular to both a and b
a  b  b  a
 Cross product is not commutative
a  b  b  a  a b sin 

1) If a  b  a.b then 
a b sin   a b cos
tan   1
 3
 ,
4 4

2 2 2 2
2) a  b   a.b   a b
The  whose sides are a  b , a.b , a b is right angled triangle.
Its hypotenuse is a b
a b
Circumradius is
2

Note : a  a  0

If a  b  c  0 then a  b , b  c , c  a are equal vectors.

Explanation :

a abc  0 
0  ab  ac  0
 ab  ca …(1)
 
b a b  c  0
ab  bc …(2)
ca  bc  a b

1. If a , b and a  b are unit vector then angle between a and b  a  b  1 .

Sol.  1  11 sin 


2
40
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

2. a  1, b  2 , a  b  1
Sol. a b sin   1
1
sin  
2


6

Sol. i  i  j  j  k  k  0
i  j  k  j  i  k
j  k  i  k  j  i
k i  j  ik   j
 i j  j k  k i  3
9. a  xi  yj  zk then a  i 
Sol. a  i   xi  yj  zk   i
 0    yk   zj
  yz  zj
2
a  i  y2  z2
 a  j   xk  zi
 a  j 2  x 2  z 2
 a  z    xj  yi
 a  z 2  x2  y 2
2 2 2
 a  i    a  j    a  k   2  x2  y 2  z 2 
2
2a
2
 a.i 2   a. j 2   a.k 2  a
a  xi  yj  zk
 a  i    yk  zj
 a  j   xk  zi
 a  k    xj  yi
 a.i   x ,  a. j   y  a.k   z
 a.i  a  i    a. j  a  j    a.k  a  k   0
L.H.S. x   yk  zj   y  xk  3i   z  xj  yi 
0

1
 If a and b are 2 sides of a  le then its area is a b
2
1
 The area of  le ABC is AB  AC
2

1
1. If A  a , B  b , C  c are vertices of ABC then area of triangle is a  b   b  c    c  a 
2
1
Sol. AB  AC
2
1

2

ba  ca   
1
 bc  b a  a c  a a
2
1
 ab  bc  ca
2
41
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

2. A line is passing through A  a , B  b then the perpendicular distance from origin to line AB is ___
1 1
Sol.   OA  OB  AB .h
2 2 O  0,0 
1 1
 a  b  b  a .h
2 2 h
ab
h
ba
A B

3.  
A line is passing through B b , C c then perpendicular distance from A  a  to line is___
1 1
Sol.   AB  AC  BC h
2 2 A a 
b  a    c  a   c  b h
h
b  a   c  a  h

c b
B C
h
 ab  bc  ca 
c b
 If a, b are adjacent sides of parallelogram then its area is a  b
1
 If a , b are diagonals of a quadrilateral then its area a b
2
1
 The area of the quadrilateral ABCD is AC  BD . ABCD is a quadrilateral AB  a , AD  b , then
2
area is ____
1
Sol.   AC  BD
2 D C
From ABD
AB  BD  AD b xa  yb
BD  AD  AB
ba A B
1

2
  
xa  yb  b  a 
1
 xa  b  x  a  b   yb  b  yb  a
2
1
 xa  b  ya  b
2
1

2
 
a  b  x  y

Eg : OABC is a quadrilateral where OA  a , OB  10a  2b , OC  b ,   p the area of parallelogram

p
whose adjacent sides OA, OC is q , then 
q
12
Sol. p  ab
2
 6 ab c D C
q  OA  OC
b
 ab
p A a B
6
q
In quadrilateral ABCD
AB  a

42
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
2. AB  a , BC  b , CD  c , AC  a  b then area.
Sol. BD  BC  CD
bc
1

2

ab  bc   
1
 ab  a c  b c
2
1
 ab  bc  ca
2
  
a b  c b c  a  c a  b  0   
L.H.S a  b  a  c  b  c  b  a  c  a  c  b  0

3. If a  b  b  c angle between a  c and b

Sol. a  b  c  b
 ab  cb  0

 a  c b  0 
 a  c and b are parallel
 a  c  Sb

4. If  a  i   2a  5 j  0 then a is a  xi  yj  zk
Sol. L.H.S
i  2 x   j  z  2 y  5  k   y  2 z 
2x  0 2  2y  5 2z  y
x0 5 y  10 z 1
y2
i j k
5. a  a1i  a2 j  a3 k , b  b1i  b2 j  b3 k then a  b  a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3
i j k
Sol. a  b  a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3
 i  a2b3  a3b2   j  a1b3  b1a3   k  a1b2  b1a2 
Eg.
1. a  2i  3 j  k , b  i  2 j  3k
i j k
Sol. a  b  2 3 1
1 2 3
 7i  5 j  k

2. a  ni   n  1 j   n  2  k then  a  i    a  j    a  k  is independent of n
Sol.  a   i  j  k 
i j k
 n n 1 n  2
1 1 1
 i  2 j  1k

3. a .b  0 , a .c  0  a , b  c are parallel.
Sol.  a  b
ac
a is perpendicular to both b and c we know that b  c is perpendicular to both b and c
 a , b  c are perpendicular to same plane
43
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
 a and b  c are parallel.
 b c  Sa

1. a , b, c are 3 unit vectors and a .b  a .c  0 and angle between b and c is  then b  c  ___
Sol. a.b  a.c  0
 a  to b and c
 a and b  c are parallel
 bc  Sa
 bc  S a

 b c sin   s a
S  sin 
S   sin 
b  c    sin   a

Simple Cross Product Test

1) a  3iˆ  4 ˆj  7 kˆ , b  4iˆ  6 ˆj  kˆ then unit vector perpendicular to a and b

Sol.  
a  b
ab
i j k
a  b  3 4 7
4 6 1
 i  38  j  31  k  34 
 38i  31 j  34k
38i  31 j  34k
Unit vector 
a b
2. a  iˆ  ˆj , b  ˆj  kˆ vector of length 6 units perpendicular to a, b


3.  
a  2, b  3 , a, b 
3
, 2a  b , a  3b are adjacent sides of parallelogram
i) lengths of diagonals
ii) angle between diagonals
iii) Area of parallelogram

4.  
a  5 , b  3 , a, b  then area of triangle whose sides are 3a  b , a  2b
4

i j k
2) ab  1 1 0
0 1 1
i jk
i  j  k 
Unit vector  
3
i jk 
 6    2 i  j  k 
 3 

3. 
i) Length of diagonal  2a  b  a  3b   
 3b  4b
Squaring on both sides
2 2
 9 a  16 b  24 a b cos 
 36  144  72
 252
44
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
 2a  b  a  3b

 a  2b
S.O.B.S
2 2
 a  4 b  4 a b cos 
 4  36  12
 28

ii) angle between 3a  4b and a  2b

3a  4b  a  2b
cos 
3a  4b a  2b
2 2
3 a  6a.b  4a.b  8 b 12  6  72 11
  
252 28 252 28 14

iii)   2a  b  a  3b
 6a  b  b  a
 6a  b  a  b  5 a  b
3
 5 6
2
 15 3

1
4.  3a  b  a  2b
2
1
 6a  b  b  a
2
1
 7b  a
2
1 1 105
  7  5  3 
2 2 2 2

5. a  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , b  2i  3 j  k then length of projection of a and b .

a.b 6
Sol. i)  
b 14
ab
ii) length of projection of b on a 
a
6
 2 3
3

iii) The component of a along b (orthogonal projection on a on b ) is

a.b b 
2
b
6
  2i  3 j  k 
14
3
  2i  3 j  k 
7

iv) Orthogonal projection of b on a is


a.b a
2
a
 2 i  j  k 

45
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

v) The vector component b along a 


a.b a
2
a
vi) The vector component of b along perpendicular to a
 a.b  a
b 2
a
a  11 , b  23 , a  b  3 then

 
i) a , b ii) a  b
2 2 2
Sol. a  b  a  b  2 a b cos 
900  121  529  506 cos 
506 cos   250
125
cos  
253
 is obtuse

2
ii) a  b
 125 
 650  506  
 63 
 650  250
 400
a  b  20
  
a. b  c is called S.T.P (Scalar triple product)
 
In STP dot and cross are interchange i.e., a. b  c  a  b .c   a b c    
  
a  b.c is meaningless
2 2 2 
If a is any vector  a .i    a . j    a .k   a

 a .i  i   a . j  j   a .k  k  a
2 2 2
i) i a b    j a b    k a b 
     
2 2 2

 i. a  b     j.  a  b     k .  a  b  
2
 ab

ii) i a b  i   j a b  j   k a b  k
     
 ab

iii) i j k 1
 i.  j  k 
 i.i  1

1. In STP if one of the vectors is repeated then its value is zero.

 i i j  0
a a b  0
 
b b c   0
 
 c n n  0
 

2. In STP if we interchange any 2 vectors the sign changes.

Eg :  a b c    b a c 

 b c a     c b a    c a b 
46
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

3. If a  a1i  a2 j  a3 k , b  b1i  b2 j  b3 k , c  c1i  c2 j  c3 k then  a b c  .

a1 a2 a3
Sol.  b1 b2 b3
c1 c2 c3

 If  a b c   0 then 3 vectors from a right hand system.

 If  a b c   0 they form left hand system.

 If  a b c   0 they are coplanar

la mb nc   lmn  a b c 
   
 2a 3b 4c   24  a b c 
   
 2a 2b 2c   8  a b c 
   
l1 a  m1 b  n1 c l2 a  m2 b  n2 c l3 a  m3 b  n3 c 
 
l1 l2 l3
 m1 m2 m3  a b c 
n1 n2 n3

Eg:  2a  b  c a  2b  c a  b  2c 
 
2 1 1
 1 2 1  a b c 
1 1 2
 2  3  11  1 1  a b c 
 4  a b c 

Eg : 3a  b  c a  3b  c a  b  3c 
3 1 1
 1 3 1  a b c 
1 1 3
 20  a b c 

Eg :  2a  b 2b  c 2c  a 
2 1 0
 0 2 1  a b c 
1 0 2
 8  1  a b c 
 9  a b c 

1.  a  b b  c c  a   2 a b c 
   

2.  2 a  3b 2b  3c 2c  3a   35  a b c 
   

3. a  b b  c c  a   0
 

4.  2 a  b b  2c 5c  a   12  a b c00 
   
47
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
Statement: a is perpendicular to b and c angle between b and c is  then
a b c
 
 a b c sin 

We know that if a is perpendicular b and c for a, b  c are parallel.

 
 a, b  c  0 (or) 1800
 a b c   a. b  c
   
  a b c

 a b c   a b c sin 
 

i) the maximum value of  a b c  is a b c and it is maximum if a, b, c are mutually perpendicular and

form a right hand system.

ii) Minimum value of  a b c  is a b c and it is minimum if a, b, c are mutually perpendicular and form a
left hand system.

2
1) a  2 , b  3 , c  4 a is perpendicular b and c and b, c    3
3
 a, b, c   24   12 3
  2

2) a  a1i  a2 j  a3k
b  b1i  b2 j  b3k
c  c1i  c2 j  c3k
2
a1 a2 a3

c is a unit vector perpendicular to a and b and a, b    6
then b1 b2 b3  ___
c1 c2 c3
Sol.  a b c   a b c sin 
 
2
a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3 i j k   a b c sin 
c1 c2 c3
2
 a b c   a 2 b 2 c 2 sin 2 
 
2 2
a b

4

 If a, b, c are edges of parallelepiped volume is  a b c  .

1
 If a, b, c are concurrent sides of a tetrahedral then its volume is  a b c  volume of tetrahedral
6 
1
ABCD   AB AC AD 
6 
 If volume of tetrahedral ABCD is zero i.e.,  AB AC AD   0 then A,B,C,D are coplanar

1. If A  a , B  b , C  c , D  d are vertices of a tetrahedral the volume is

1
 abd    bcd    cad    abc  .
6        
1
Proof : Volume is   AB AC AD 
6 

48
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
1

6

AB  AC . AD 
1

6

ab  bc  ca . d  a  
1
  abd    bcd    cad    abc 
6

Note : If four points A  a , B  b , C  c , D  d are coplanar then

 abd   bcd    cad 
  abd 
Vector triple product
 
a  b  c is called VTP

  
The vector a  b  c is perpendicular to a and coplanar with b and c a  b c is perpendicular to c
and coplanar to a and b .

a ab  
Perpendicular to a and coplanar of a and b

Vector Triple Product

     
a  b  c  a.c b  a.b c

 a  b   c   c.a  b   c.b  a
2
a   a  b    a.b  a  2 a b

1. a  i  j  k , b  i  j , c  j  k the unit vector perpendicular to a and coplanar with b and c .


Sol. a  b  c 
   
 a.c b  a.b c
 2i  2 j   2 j  2k   2 j  2k
ik 
Unit vector   
 2 

2. a  2i  j  k , b  i  2 j  k , c  i  j  2k
i) Unit vector perpendicular to a and coplanar with b and c
ii) Unit vector perpendicular to b and coplanar with a and c .
 a b c 
Sol. i) unit vector   
  
 a  b  c 
   
 a.c b  a.b c 

    
 a  b  c 
   
5 j  k 

5 2
 j k

2


ii)Unit vector perpendicular to a , coplanar with a  a  b 
2
 
 a.b a  a b
 5 a  6b
 4i  7 j  k 
  
 66 
49
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

 
   
Note : a  b  c  b  c  a  c a  b  0

  a.c  b   a.b  c   b.a  a   c.b  a   c.a  b

0
pqr 0
 then form a  le
 the 3 vectors are coplanar
  p q r  0
 
 
 a  b  c b  c  a c  a  b   0
    
 a.i  i   a. j  j   a.k  k  a
 
 i ai  j a j  k  ak    
 a   x  i  a  yj  a  zk
 3a  a
 2a

bc
Note : a , b, c are 3 unit vectors if a  b  c    2
   
then a , b  ___ , a  c  ___

bc
   
Sol.  a.c b  a.b c 
2
1 1
 a.c  a.b  
2 2

 
 a.c 
3
 a, b    12
bc
ii)  
a b c 
2
 a.c   3  a.b   3
bc
iii) 
a b c 
2

 
 
 a, c 
4
a, b 
4
 
b
iv) 
a b c   2
 a, c   3  a, b   2
c
v) 
a b c   2
 a, c   2  a, b   23
b  2c
vi) 
a b c   2
 a, c   3 ,  a, b   34
2. a  4i  3 j  k , b  i  4 j  3k , c  3i  2 j  5k .
 
i) If a  b  c  la  mb  nc then l  ___ , m  ____ , n  ____

   
Sol.  a.c b  a.b c  la  mb  nc
50
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
l  0 m  23  
n   a.b  19
ii)  a  b   c  xa  yb  zc
 c.a  b   c.b  a  xa  yb  zc
z  0 x  c.b y  c.a

iii)  
a  b  c  lj  mj  nk

 a.c  b   a.b  c  li  mj  nk
23b  19c  li  mj  nk
23i  92 j  69k  57i  38 j  95k  li  mj  nk
 34i  34 j  26k  li  mj  nk
l  34 m  34 n  26

3. r .a  c , r  a  b then r  ___

Sol.  a  r  a  a  b 
2

 a r  a  r a  ab 
2
 a r  ca  a  b

r
 a  b   ca
2
a

4. r .a  0 , r  b  c then r  ____ .
 
Sol. a  r  b  a  c

  a.b  r   a.r  b  a  c
ac
r
a.b

5. x  y  a , x  y  b , x .a  1 then find x . y  ___

2
Sol. y ax

x ax b 
 xa  b

 a c a  ab 
2
 a x  a  ab

x
 a  b  a
2
a

 y a
a  b  a
2
a
Components of vectors

Vector component of b in direction of a 

 a.b  a
2
a

Vector component b perpendicular to a  b 

 a.b  a
2
a
2


a b  a.b a  
2
a
51
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA


 a.a  b   a.b  a
2
a
1

a
2  a  b  a 
 Scalar Product of four vectors
 ab  a.c a.d
 . c  d   
 p  b.c b.d
 p cd  

 p  c .d 
   a  b   c  .d

  c.a  b   c.b  a  .d
 
  c.a  b.d   c.d  a.d

1. a , b and c  d lie on 2 perpendicular then a  b . c  d  0 .  

Sol.  a  b  .  c  d   b  c  a  d   c  a b  d 
a.c a.d b.a b.d c.b c.d
  
b.c b.d c.a c.d a.b a.d
  a.c  b.d    b.c  a.d    b.a  c.d    c.a  b.d    c.b  a.d    a.b  c.d 
0

2.  a  b    c  d  is vector product of 4 vectors.

i)  a  b    c  d   xa  yb then x  ____ , y  ____ .
Sol. i) c  d  p
 
 ab  p

  a. p  b   b. p  a

  a..  c  d   b   b. c  d   a

  a c d  b  b c d  a …(1)
x   b c d  x   a c d 

  
ii) a  b  c  d  lc  md 
a b  p
 p c d  
  p.d  c   p.c  d
  a b d  c   a b c  d …(2)

l   a b d  m    a b c 
  a c d  b  b c d  a   a b d  c   a b c  d

  a b d  c  b c d  a  c a d  b   a b c  d

  
 a  b  b  c   a b c  b 
a b  p
 p bc  
52
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA

   
 c. p b  p.b c

 c a b  b   a b b  c

  a b c  b

   
The vector a  b  b  c is always parallel (or) collinear to b .

    
If a, b, c form a right hand system  a b c   0 then a  b  b  c , b are in same direction.
    
If a, b, c form LHS then a  b  b  c and b are in opposite direction.

 b  c   b  c   a b c  c

 c  a    a  b    a b c  a
2
a  b b  c b  c   a b c
   
     
 a b . b c  c a 
 
  a  b  . a b c  c

  a b c   a b c 
2
  a b c 

 If a, b, c are coplanar then a  b, b  c, c  a are also coplanar.

 If a, b, c are non coplanar then a  b, b  c, c  a are also non coplanar.
  
 ab  b c
  b  c    c  a   c  a    a  b 
4
  a b c 

Reciprocal Vectors :
 If a, b, c are 3 non coplanar vectors then
b c ca ab
p , q , r are called reciprocal vector a, b, c respectively.
a b c  a b c  a b c 
     

1) a. p  1 a.q  0 a.r  0
b. p  0 b.q  1 b.r  0
c. p  0 c.q  0 c.r  1

2. a p  b q  c r  0

c a
3. pq  , qr 
a b c  a b c 
   
b
r p 
a b c
 
1
 p q r 
  a b c

53
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
0
1. 2cos100  sin1000  sin10000  sin100000  sin  x10  then x  __

Sol.  2 cos100  cos10 0  sin 80 0  sin 8000 
 2 cos100  sin 80 0
 sin 80
x8

2. Let the lines l1  3 x  y  2  3  0 and l2  3 x  y  2  3  0 intersect at A. Let B1 be a point on l1

from B1 draw a perpendicular to l1 meets at line C1 . From C1 draw a line perpendicular to l2 meeting the
line l1 at B2 continue in this way obtaining the points C2 , B3 , C3..........

 If area of  le A1B1C1  1 and  of A2 B2C2  A3 B3C3  A4 B4C4  p then p  4360  ______

m1  3 m2   3
a
B1C1  a sin 60 A1B1 
2
a 3

2
1 a 3
. . 1
2 2 2
3a 2
1
8

AC  49 AB2  2a
1 3
 AB2C2   2a  4a 
2 2
2
 3a 
 8.2  
 8 
 16
Area in G.P.
1,16, 256, 4096
 AB2C2  AB3C3  AB4C4  4368  p
p  4360  8

CUBE

Z
B
A

D C
A  0,0,0  B
X

D C

Side of cube is 1 unit

A  0, 0, 0 
B 1, 0, 0 
C 1,1, 0 
D  0,1, 0 

A  0, 0,1
B 1, 0,1
54
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
C  1,1,1
D  0,1,1

Principle diagonals Face diagonals from A

AC   i  j  k AC  i  j
AC  i  j  k AB  j  k
BD  i  j  k AD  j  k
BD  i  j  k

1
i) Angle between principle diagonals of cube is cos1  
3
a.b 1  1  1 1
cos    
a b 3 3 3

ii) Angle between face diagonal and principal diagonal

 11  1  2 
  cos1    cos  
 2 3  3

iii) Angle between face diagonal

 1  
  cos1  
 2 2 3

4
iv) Let a line makes angles  ,  ,  ,  with the diagonals of a cube then  cos2   3 r  xi  yj  zk

x y z x yz
cos   cos  
3  x2  y2  z2  
3 x2  y2  z2 
x  y  z x  y  z 4
cos   cos    cos2   3

3 x2  y 2  z 2  
3 x2  y 2  z 2 
8
 sin 2   3
4
 cos 2  3

Some Typical Points :

 If a  b  c , bc  a
 We know that vector a  b is perpendicular to both a and b given that a  b  c  c is perpendicular to
both a and b
 b  c is perpendicular to both b and c . b  c  a
 a is perpendicular to both b and c .

Conclusions :
1. a, b, c are mutually perpendicular

2. ab  c
 
ac b  c
2
 
 b c  b.c b  c
2
 b 1
 b 1
 b is a unit vector.

55
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
3. bc  c
 a b sin   c
 a  c

2
4. a b c  a
 
bc  a , ca  b
i) a, b, c are mutually perpendicular
ii) c  1 iii) a  b
2
iv)  a b c   a

5. ca  b ab  c
i) a, b, c are mutually perpendicular
ii) a  1

iii) b  c
2
iv)  a b c   c

6. ab  c , bc  a , ca  b

i) a, b, c are mutually perpendicular
ii) a, b, c are unit vector, these vectors are called ortho normal vectors
Eg : i, j , k
iii)  a b c   1

Note : If a, b, c are any 3 non coplanar vectors then any 4th vector can always expressed as linear combination
of a, b, c .
2 2 2 2
Eg :  a.i    b. j    c.k   a
 a.i  i   a. j  j   a.k  k  a
2 2 2 2
a  i  a  j  a  k   2 a
2 2 2 2
i a b    j a b    k a b   a  b
     
i a b  i   j a b  j   k a b  k  a  b
     
i   a  j   j   a  j   k   a  k   2a

7. a  b  c , b  c  a , c  a  b and r is any vector.

2 2 2 2
    r .b    r .c   r
i) r .a
ii)  r .a  a   r .b  b   r .c  c  r
2 2 2 2
iii)  r .a    r .b    r .c   2 r
p, q are non collinear vectors.
  a p q  a  b p q  b   c p q  c  p  q

  
a  r  a  b  r  b  c  r  c  2r   
 a, b, c are 3 non coplanar vector any 4th vectors r  xa  yb  zc
 If a, b are 2 non collinear vectors then any vector r can expressed as linear combination of a, b, a  b

56
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
1. a , b are 2unit vectors and perpendicular to each other unit vector c is makes equal angle  with
both a and b then c is ___
Sol. Let c  xa  yb  z a  b   …(1)
a 1 b 1 c 1  a, c     b, c   
a b  1 a.b  900
2
  
c.a  x a  y a.b  z a  b .a 
2
 c.a  x a
 c a cos   x
 x  cos 
take b on both sides
2
c.b  y b
y  cos 
S.O.B.S
2
c  x2  y 2  z 2
  3 
1  2 cos 2   z 2 z 2   cos 2  2   , 
2 2 
  3 
  , 
4 4 
 c  cos  a  cos  b   cos 2 a  b  
a .a a .b a .c
2. a , b, c are 3 non coplanar vectors then  a b c   b.a b.b b.c
c .a c .b c .c
Sol. Let a  a1i  a2 j  a3k , b  b1i  b2 j  b3k , c  c1i  c2 j  c3k
a1 a2 a3
 a b c   b1 b2 b3
 
c1 c2 c3
a1 a2 a3 a1 a2 a3
2
 a b c   b1 b2 b3 b1 b2 b3
 
c1 c2 c3 c1 c2 c3
a12  a22  a33 a1b1  a2b2  a3b3 a1c1  a2 c2  a3c3
 a1b1  a2b2  a3b3 b12  b22  b33 b1c1  b2c2  b3c3
a1c1  a2 c2  a3c3 b1c1  b2c2  b3c3 c12  c12  c33
a.a a.b a.c
 b.a b.b b.c
a.c c.b c.c

3. a , b, c are 3 unit vectors and angle between each pair is 600 . The volume of parallelepiped whose
edges are a , b, c is ____
Sol. We know that
a.a a.b a.c
2
 a b c   b.a b.b b.c
 
c.a c.b c.c

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SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
1 1
1
2 2
2 1 1
a b c  1
  2 2
1 1
1
2 2
3 1 1 1 1
 a b c   1         
2
   4 2 4 2 4
3 1 2 1
  
4 4 2
1
a b c 
  2
Note : r.a  r .b  r.c  0
i) If a, b, c are 3 non coplanar vectors
r0
ii) If r is non zero vector then a, b, c must be coplanar
  a b c   0
1.   
a  4i  5 j  k , b  j  k , c  3i  9 j  4k , d  4i  4 j  4k then a  b . c  d .
a.c a.d
Sol.   8  48   384
b.c b.d
     
a  b  c  a.c b  a.b c

1. a  2i  3 j  5k , b   i  j  k , c  4i  2 j  6k
 
Sol. a  b  c  16  i  j  k    4  4i  2 j  6k 
 32i  8 j  8k
ii) a  2i  j  3k , b  i  2 j  k , c   i  j  4k
 
a  b  c  11 i  2 j  k   3  i  j  4k 
 8i  19 j  k

2. a  2i  3 j  4k , b  3i  2 j  4k , c  4i  3 j  5k .
 
Sol. a  b  c  37  3i  2 j  4k   16  4i  3 j  5k 
 175i  26 j  68k
a1 a2 a3
 
a. b  c  b1 b2 b3
c1 c2 c3
2 3 4
 3 2 4
4 3 5
 4  93  68
 21

3. a  2i  3 j  5k , b   i  j  k , c  4i  2 j  6k
 
Sol. a  b  c  16  i  j  k   4  4i  2 j  6k 
 32i  8 j  8k

4. a  2i  2 j  k , b  i  2 j  k , c  2i  j  2k
Sol.  a.c  b   c  d  a  8  i  2 j  k   7  2i  j  2k 
 6i  9 j  6k

58
SENIOR-IPE FINAL VECTOR ALGEBRA
i j k
b c  1 2 1
2 1 2
 i  3  j  0   k  3
 3i  3k
i j k

a b c  2 2 1 
3 0 3
 i  6   j  9   k  6 
 6i  9 j  6k
LHS=RHS

5. a  2i  5 j  7 k , b  3i  4 j  k , c  i  2 j  3k
 
Sol. a  b  c  13  3i  4 j  k   7  i  2 j  3k 
 46i  66 j  34k
 
a  b  c .a  92  330  238
0
 they are perpendicular
b  c  10i  8 j  2k
  
a  b  c . b  c  460  528  68
0
 
 a  b  c is perpendicular to b  c .

6.  a b c   2 , Find volume of parallelepiped whose edges are 2a  b , 2b  c , 2c  a .

 
Sol.  2a  b 2b  c 2c  a   9  abc 
 9  2   18

7. Volume of tetrahedron formed by points

i) 4i  5 j  k ,  j  k , 3i  9 j  4k , 4   i  j  k 
1
Sol.   AB AC AD 
6 
1
  4i  6 j i  4 j  3k 8i  j  l 
6
4 6 0
 1 4 3
8 1 3
1
 66  11
6

59