Solutions to Vectors

1.
−
− → →
If abc are coplanar vector
→→→ ∴ AP = λ(3^i + ^j + k)^ ⇒ |AP | = λ√11

→→ → → →→ Now, if λ√11 = 3√11 i.e., λ = 3 then the position vector of the

point P is 10^i + 2^j + 5k.
∴ a. (b × c) = (a × b). c = 0 ^
2. Given P , Q, R represents three sides of a triangle taken in order If λ√11 = −3√11, i.e., λ = −3 then the position vector of the point
P is −8^i − 4^j − k.
^

11.

−
−
− → → →
We know AB + BC + CA = 0
And thus P + Q + R = 0
→ → →

3. Given that vectors →l = a+a ^ m

^ ^j + ck, ^ and n
→ = ^i + k → = c^i + c^j + bk
^
are co-planar.
Hence [ →
l m → n →]=0 Let A be the origin i.e.A(0, 0, 0)
∣a a c∣ Also AB, AE, AD represents x, y and z axis respectively
∣ ∣
⇒∣1 0 1∣ = 0 Given AB = 10, AD = 10, AE = h(Let)
∣c c b∣ Hence position vector of B can be given as
Apply C1 → C1 − C3
− →
^ or B(10, 0, 0)
AB = 10^i + 0^j + 0k
∣a − c a c∣ Similarly position vector of D is
⇒
∣ ∣
∣ 0 0 1∣ = 0
− →
AD = 0^i + 0^j + 10k^ or D(0, 0, 10)
∣c−b c b∣ And position vector of E will be
⇒ (−1){ac − c2 − ca + ab} = 0
− →
^ or E(0, h, 0)
AE = 0^i + h^j + 0k
⇒ c2 = ab
Using polygon law of vector addition
−
−
−
− ∴ c = √ab → → → →
AG = AD + DC + CG
4. →
⇒ AG = (0^i + 0^j + 10k)
− →
A unit vector in the direction of a → is a
a ^ + (10^i + 0^j + 0k)
^ + (0^i + h^j + 0k)
^
^=
→
⇒ AG = 10^i + h^j + 10k
− |a| →
^ . . (i)
5. b × c is a vector perpendicular to b, c. Therefore, a × (b × c) is a Hence coordinate of G(10, h, 10)
vector again in plane of b, c. Now position vector of H
−
−
− → → →
6. Given vector is i.e. AH = AD + DH
⇒ AH = (0^i + 0^j + 10k)
− → →
a = 3^i + 4^j − 2k^ ^ + (0^i + h^j + 0k)
^

Let b should be added in a to get the resultant as ^i, then ⇒ ??AH = 0^i + h^j + 10k
− → → →
^
⇒a + b = i
→ → ^ Or coordinate of H(0, h, 10)

⇒b = ^i − a
−
−
− → → → →
Now BH = AH − AB
→
from
⇒ BH = (0^i + h^j + 10k)
− (i) →
^ − (10^i + 0^j + 0k)^
⇒
→
b = ^i − (3^i + 4^j − 2 ^
k)
⇒ BH = −10^i + h^j + 10k
− →
⇒b = −2^i − 4^j + 2k
→ ^ . . (ii)
^
From (i) and (ii)
7.
−
− → → → →→→ →→→ → →
(a × b) × c = (c. a)b − (b. c)a Angle between AG and BH can be given as
−
− → →
8. → → ^ ^ ^
AG ⋅ BH
a + b = 2i − j + 2k cos θ =
−
− → →
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ |AG||BH|
unit vector =
2i − j + 2k 2i − j + 2k
h2
⇒ = 2
= 1
√4 + 1 + 4 3
5 h + 200
9. A vector can be split into any number of components. But only two ⇒ 4h2 = 200
rectangular components in its own plane. ⇒ h = 5√2
10. The equation of a line passing through the point A(^i − ^j + 2k)
^ and
12.
Area of parallelogram =
1 → →
B(3i + j + k) is
^ ^ ^ d1 × d2
2
^ + λ(3^i + ^j + k)
r = (^i − ^j + 2k) ^
The position vector of any point P which is a variable point on the
line, is (^i − ^j + 2k)
^ + λ(3^i + ^j + k)
^

Matrix Science Academy: Pune

→
∣
Where d1 and d2 are the diagonal
→
 Solutions to Vectors

∣ ^i ^j ^ ∣
k – −a – ) ⋅ (–b × –b )
1→ → 1∣ ∣
(a1 2 1 2 1
d 1 × d 2 = ∣ 3 1 −2 ∣
∴ S.D. = – – =

14. Taking origin at A .

−
−
−

Thus the centroid G has position vector as

→ → →
13. →

Then, the position vectors of A, B, C are given by (0), (a), (b)

respectively.
→ → → → →
0+a+b
3
=
a+b
3
2

→→
1
2
1

[abc] ≠ 0
→→ →
a. (b × c) ≠ 0

∣
2

i ^j + k
∣0 0 0 ∣
∣
∣ 1 −3 4 ∣

= [−2^i − 14^j − 10k]

2
= −^i − 7^j − 5k
1
^

→→
^

[abc] ≠ 0

If b ⊥ c or if a ⊥ b
→ →

21. [2^
→ →
→ →→
∣

^
= [^i(4 − 6)] − ^j(12 + 2) + k(−9

A = |d1 × d2| = √1 + 49 + 25 = 5√3

2

(a × b). c ≠ 0

^ λ^i − 2k]

∣ 0 1 1 ∣ = −4
∣ λ 0 −2 ∣
∣
^ = −4
− 1)]

18.

19.

20.
⇒

⇒
∣∣ | b 1 × b 2|
(−^i + (2 − λ)^j − 2k)
√(−2)2 + (−5)2 + 32
2 − 5(2 − λ) − 6
√38
⇒ |5λ − 14| = 1
∴λ=3
=
1
√38
√38
^ ⋅ (−2^i − 5^j + 3k)
^
=
1
√38

|W | = (i − 3j + 5k). (−2i − 4j + k) = −2 + 12 + 5 = 15 unit.

Two vectors are equal if their magnitude and direction are same

Two vectors of equal magnitude and directed in opposite directions

give zero resultant.

→ →
− → a+b 2(−2) = −4
which is true for any real values of λ
∴ AG = .
3

22. ^ λ^i + k]
[3^i 5^j − 3k ^ =5

∣3 0 0 ∣
∣ ∣
∣ 0 5 −3 ∣ = 5
15.
∣ λ 0 1 ∣
Since a. b = |a||b| cos θ = cos θ, and cos θ never be equal to √3.
→→ → →
15 = 5 which is not possible
16. To find the direction cosine of vector a , first find the unit vector in
→
23.
the direction of a
→
→
3^i + 4^j + 5k
^ 3^i + 4^j + 5k
^
Hence a
a
^= = =
→ 2
√3 + 4 + 5 2 2 √50
|a| → →
–
Hence the Direction cosine of vector a is given as
→ 2x + 3(a + 2b) →
=a
3 4 5 2+3
< , , > → →
√50 √50 √50
– 2x = 2a − 6b

Now the direction cosine of vector a in the direction of x axis is

– → → →
x = a − 3b
3
− 24. →
√50 OP = a ^ cos t + ^b sin t
− →
|OP | = √(^ a. cos2 t + (^b. ^b) sin2 t + 2^
a. ^b sin t cos t)
17. The given equation lines are
− →
L1 : 3(x − 1) = 6(y − 2) = 2(z − 1) |OP | = √1 + 2^ a. ^b sin t cos t
− x−1 y−2 z−1 →
L1 : = = |OP | = √1 + a ^. ^b sin 2t
2 1 3
^. ^b at sin 2t = 1 ⇒ t =
− →
Fixed point through which L1 passes is a1 = ^i + 2^j + k
− → π
^ |OP |max = √1 + a
4
Its Direction Ratio: b1 = 2^i + ^j + 3k
− → →
^ π 1
|OP | (at t = ) = a + ^b)
(^
And L2 : 4(x − 2) = 2(y − λ) = (z − 3) 4 √2
^ + ^b
Unit vector along OP at (t = ) =
− x−2 y−λ z−3 → π a
L2 : = =
1 2 4 4 a + ^b|
Fixed point through which L2 passes is a2 = 2^i + λ^j + 3k
→ |^
^
25.
Its Direction Ratio: b2 = ^i + 2^j + 4k
→
^
Shortes distance between the lines L1 and L2 is given by the
formula
– −a
(a – ) ⋅ –b × –b
1 2 1 2
S.D. = – –

−
−
−
−
−

−
–
| b 1 × b 2|
Now a1 − a2 = −^i + (2 − λ)^j − 2k
→ →

^
^
⇒ b 1 × b 2 = −2i − 5j + 3k
–
^
^ ^
^
^
And b 1 × b 2 = (2i + j + 3k) × (i + 2^j + 4k)
– – ^ ^

According to question shortest distance: S.D. =

1
√38
→
∣∣ → → →
AB − BC + AB − DC = kF E
→ → → → → →
→

→ → →
(b − a) − (c − b) + (d − a) − (c − d) = kF E

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 Solutions to Vectors

−→ → → → → λ(3^i − ^j + 2k).
^ (α^i + 2^j + k)
^ =3
⇒ λ((3)(α) + (2)(−1) + (1)(2)) = 3
2(b + d) − 2(a − c) = kF E

⇒ λ(3α − 2 + 2) = 3
− → → →
2(2f) − 2(2e) = kF E
− → → → ⇒ αλ = 1 . . (ii)
4(f − e) = kF E
Also given r. (2i + 5^j − αk)
→ ^ ^ = −1
−
− → →
Put r from (i)
−4F E = kF E →
k = −4 λ(3^i − ^j + 2k)
^ ⋅ (2^i + 5^j − αk) ^ = −1
26. →→ → → → –→ ⇒ λ((3)(2) + (−1)(5) + (2)(−α)) = −1
⇒ λ(6 − 5 − 2α) = −1
b. c = b. (2a × b) − 3 b. b
–
= 0 − 3| b|2
= −48 ⇒ λ(1 − 2α) = −1 . . (iii)
Divide (ii) and (iii), so we get
27.
Given that a = ^i + 2^j + 3k ^ and b = 3^i − 2^j + k
^ represents the
→ →
αλ
adjacent sides of a parallelogram.
= −1
λ(1 − 2α)
Now the area of this parallelogram is ⇒ α = −(1 − 2α)
→ → ⇒α=1
Put the value of α in (ii), so we get
Δ = |a × b|
∣ ^i ^j k ^∣
∣ ∣ λ=1
⇒Δ = ∣ 1 2 3∣ ∣
∣ Thus r = λ(3^i − ^j + 2k) . . (i) simplifies to
→ ^
∣ 3 −2 1 ∣ → ^
r = 3^i − ^j + 2k
⇒Δ = |8^i + 8^j − 8k| →
So we have ∣∣ r ∣∣ = 14 & α = 1
^
⇒Δ = 8√3
⇒ α + r = 15
→2
28.
A vector coplanar with the non-collinear vectors a and b will be a
→ →

linear combination of vectors a and b.

→
→

→
→

From the given options a + b is the linear combination of vectors a

→ →

and b, hence the answer is a + b.

→

29.
→

We know that if R is the resultant of P & Q, then

R2 = P 2 + Q2 + 2P Q cos θ
given that R = √7Q & θ = 60∘
⇒(√7Q)2 = P 2 + Q2 + 2P Q cos 60o
⇒7Q2 = P 2 + Q2 + P Q
⇒P 2 + P Q + 6Q2 = 0
⇒P 2 + 3P Q − 2P Q − 6Q2 = 0
⇒P (P + 3Q) − 2Q(P + 3Q) = 0
⇒(P − 2Q)(P + 3Q) = 0
⇒P − 2Q = 0 or P + 3Q = 0 (rejected as P & Q are magnitudes &
hence positive)
⇒P − 2Q = 0
⇒P = 2Q
⇒
P
=2
32.

33.

34.
a
^=

→ → → →
∣
^
a
|^
a|
=

a + 2b + 2c = 0
→ →
a + 2c = −2b
→ →
→
^i + 2^j + 3k
√12 + 22 + 32

→→ →
|a|2 + 4|c|2 + 4a. c = 4|b|2

1 + 4 + 4 cos θ = −
1
4
^

Now |a × c| = |a| |c| sin θ =

→ → →→
=(
1 ^
√14
i+

∴ sin θ =

√15
4
2
√14
+
3
√14

√1 − cos2 θ

√1 − 1
16
=
^
+ k)

√15
4

30. →
|a| = √9 + 4 + 1 = √14
→
|b| = √1 + 9 + 25 = √35
→
|c| = √4 + 1 + 16 = √21
→2 → 2 →2
|b| = |a| + |c|
Δ is right angle
−
− → → → →
Here AB = u and AD = v
In ΔABD
31.
Given: r × a = b × r
→ → → →
AD + DB = AB {Using triangle law of vector addition}
−
−
− → → →
⇒ r × a = −r × b
→ → → →
− → → →
or v + DB = u
⇒
→ → → →
− r × a + r × b = 0 → → →
or DB = u − v
⇒ r × (a + b) = 0
→ → →

Hence r is collinear to a + b
→ → →

So r = λ(a + b)
→ → →

⇒ r = λ(^i + 2^j − 3k
→ ^ + 2^i − 3^j + 5k
^)
35.
⇒ r = λ(3^i − ^j + 2k) Volume of tetrahedron= [a b c]
→ ^ 1 →→→
. . (i)
6
Given r. (α^i + 2^j + k)
→ ^ =3
[6^i 6^j k]
^ 36 ^ ^ ^
Put r from (i)
→ = = [i j k]
6 6

Matrix Science Academy: Pune

 Solutions to Vectors

=6×1=6 → → → → → →
⎛→ ⎛→ ⎛→
⇒ orthocentre = 3
a+b+c⎞ a+b+c⎞ a+b+c⎞
36. → → → →→ →→ →→ −2 =
|a| = |b| = |c| = 1 a. b = b. c = c. a = 0 ⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎝ 4 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

37.
→→→ → → →
[a b c] = a. (b × c)

=⎨

=⎨

=
→ →→
= a. |b||c| sin 90∘n

= a.1.1. n
→

→
= (b. a

⎩ |→
⎪
⎧ (→
⎩ |→
→→→
^)^
⎧ →→ ⎫
a
^

(b. a)
a| ⎭
→
⎬a^

b. a) ⎫ →
a|

(a. b)a
⎬
⎭ →
a
|a|
^

^ | cos (0 or π)
= |a||n
= 1.1 cos θ or cos π
= −1 or +1

The component of b along a is

→ →
43.

44.
=a

=a
⎜∣ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟
Now a
→ and →b are perpendicular
Given a
→ ⋅ →b = 0
Hence a
→ × (a

→ × (→

=a
→ × (→

→ × (a

=− a
→ (→
= −|→
=− a
2
→ × (a

a × (→
→ →b))
→ × (− a
2
→ × →b)))
→ × (a
Use the formula u
→ × (→

a ⋅ →b)→
a × ((→

a × ((0)→

a × →b))

a ⋅ →b)→
a|2((→ a − (→
→ 2 →b) = a
→ 2 (− a
→ = (→
v × w)

a − (→

a|2→b))
a − |→

→)→b)
a⋅a
→ 4 →b
→ v − (→
u ⋅ w)→

→)→b))
a⋅a
u ⋅ v→)w

→ ⋅ →b = 0)
(As a
→

For a constant vector, its direction and magnitude both are

constant
Hence option (C) is the correct option
→
|a|2 45.
→→→
(a. b)a
=
→→
a. a
38. A(2, 3, 9); B(5, 2, 1); C(1, λ, 8); D(λ, 2, 3)

−
−
− → → →
[AB AC AD] = 0

∣ 3 −1 −8 ∣
∣ ∣
∣ −1 λ − 3 −1 ∣ = 0
∣λ − 2 −1 −6 ∣
⇒ [−6(λ − 3) − 1] − 8(1 − (λ − 3)(λ − 2)) + (6 + (λ − 2) = 0
3(−6λ + 17) − 8(−λ2 + 5λ − 5) + (λ + 4) = 8
Case I: When a and b are non-collinear. Clearly.
→ →
8λ2 − 57λ + 95 = 0
95 OA + AB > OB
→ → → →
λ1λ2 =
⇒|a + b | < |a|+| b |
8
39. For a unit vector, its magnitude is 1
Check all the options
In option (D), we have
1 1 1 ^
→=
a ^i + ^j + k
√3 √3 √3
2 2 2
So, |→
1 1 1
Case II : When a and b are collinear.
) +( ) +( ) =1 a| = √( → →
√3 √3 √3
Hence option (D) is correct
−
−
− → → → → →
??a+??b =??OA + AB = OB
⇒ |OB| = |OA| + |AB|
−
−
− → → →
40.
− →
OA = ^i + 2^j − 3k ^
⇒ |a + b| = |a| + |b|
→ → → →
− →
Hence in general |a + b| ≤ |a| + |b|
OB = −2^i + 3^j − 4k ^ → → → →

Now, |a − b| = |a + (−b)| ≤ |a| + |b|

−
−
− → → → → → → → → →
BA = OA − OB = 3^i − ^j + k ^
⇒ |a − b| ≤ |a| + |b|
→ → → →

and |a| = |a − b + b| ≤ |a − b| + |b|

→ → → → → → →
41. → →
a + b = 3^i + 3^j + 6k^
⇒ |a| − |b| ≤ |a − b|
→ → → →
→ → √
⇒ |a − b| ≥ |a| − |b|
|a + b| = 9 + 9 + 36 = 3√6 → → → →

42.
46.
→ →
⎛→
If We consider a and b as two adjacent sides of a parallelogram
a+b+c⎞ →
Position vector of the centroid of ΔABC is
→
⎝ 3 ⎠ then
Now we known that centroid divides the line joining orthocentre to Resulting vector a + b is along the diagonal of the parallelogram

2:1
⎜⎟
circum centre divided by centriod divided by centroid in the ratio in

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→ →
Now diagonal of a parallelogarm bisects the angle between
the vector a and b only if it is a Rhombus
→ →
 Solutions to Vectors

Thusa and b forms Rhombus 50.

→ →
Given that a, b and c are coplanar, hence [a b c] = 0
→→ → →→→
⇒ |a| = |b|
& a unit vector d is perpendicular to a, b and c .
→ →→
47.
−
−
− → → → →
− →
Also given that
OA + OB + OC
OG =
3
→ → → → 1 1 1^
4^i + 4^j + k
^ (a × b) × (c × d) = ^i − ^j + k
6 3 3
=
⇒[(a × b). d]c − [(a × b). c]d = i − j + k
3 → → →→ → → →→ 1 ^ 1 ^ 1 ^
48. ∣ −12 0 α ∣ 6 3 3
∣ ∣ ⇒[(a × b). d]c − [a b c]d = ^i − ^j + k
→ → →→ →→→→ 1 1 1^
Since
∣ 0 3 −1 ∣ = 546 ⇒ α = −3. 6 3 3
∣ 2 1 −15 ∣ put [a b c] = 0
→→→

⇒[(|a||b| sin 30∘)^

→→ →→ 1 1 1^
49. Using Parallelogram law of vector addition
n. d]c − 0 = ^i − ^j + k
6 3 3
⇒[(1)(1) ( )][|^
−
−
− → → → 1 → → 1^ 1^ 1 ^
P Q + QR = P R n||d| cos θ]c = i − j + k
− → 2 6 3 3
Hence the side represented by a + b is P R
→ →
⇒ [ cos θ]c = ^i − ^j + k
1 → 1 1 1^
2 6 3 3
where n ^ and d are unit parallel vectors and the angle between n
^ and
→

d may be 0 or π.
→

When θ = 0∘
→ 1
??c = [^i − 2^j + 2k] ^
3
When θ = π
→ 1
??c = [−^i + 2^j − 2k] ^
3

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