Vectors Study Material
Vectors Study Material
VECTORS
SYLLABUS
Vectors and scalars, magnitude and direction of a vector. Direction cosines TORSand direction ratios of
vectors. Types of vectors (equal, unit, zero, parallel and collinear vectors), position vector of a point,
negative of a vector, components of a vector, addition of vectors, multiplication of a vector by a scalar,
position vector of a point dividing a line segment in a given ratio. Scalar (dot) product of vectors, projection
of a vector on a line. Vector (cross) product of vectors.
TOPICS COVERED
VECTORS- AN INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF VECTORS
ADDITION OF VECTORS
PRODUCT OF VECTORS
VECTORS – An Introduction
Definition :
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CHARACTERISTICS OF A VECTOR
SENSE OF A VECTOR
LENGTH OF A VECTOR
SUPPORT OF A
VECTOR
SENSE : The sense of a directed line segment is from its initial point to its terminal point. The sense of 𝑃𝑄⃗ is from
P to Q, whereas that of 𝑄𝑃⃗ is from Q to P.
SUPPORT : The infinite line of which PQ is a segment is called the support of a vector.
EQUALITY VECTORS
CO-INITIAL
UNIT VECTOR
VECTORS
TYPES OF
VECTORS
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A vector whose initial and terminal point are coincident is called the zero or the null vector.
UNIT VECTOR :
A vector whose modulus is unity, is called a unit vector. The unit vector in the direction of a vector 𝑎⃗ is denoted by 𝑎.
a⃗
a=
|a⃗|
Whenever we have to take just the direction of a vector into consideration we find the unit vector of that vector.
Vectors having the same terminal point are called co-terminous vectors.
Solved Example
North P
60km
South A
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Z-axis
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𝑎⃗ 𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗
B 𝑏⃗ C
𝒂⃗
𝒃⃗ 𝒂⃗ + 𝒃⃗ 𝒃⃗
𝒂⃗
PROPERTIES
SECTION FORMULAE
Let A and B be two points with position vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ respectively and let C be a
point dividing AB internally in the ratio m : n. Then the position vector of C is
𝐦𝐛⃗ 𝐧𝐚⃗
given by 𝐎𝐂⃗ =
𝐦 𝐧
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External Division
Let A and B be two points with position vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ respectively and let C be a
point dividing AB externally in the ratio m : n. Then the position vector of C is
𝐦𝐛⃗ 𝐧𝐚⃗
given by 𝐎𝐂⃗ =
𝐦 𝐧
Solved Example
Find the position vector of the points which divide the join of the points
2𝑎⃗ − 3𝑏⃗ and 3𝑎⃗ − 2𝑏⃗ internally and externally in the ratio 2:3.
Solution :
Let A and B be two points with position vectors 2𝑎⃗ − 3𝑏⃗ and 3𝑎⃗ − 2𝑏⃗
respectively. Then
⃗ ⃗ ( ⃗ ⃗) ⃗ ⃗
Position vector of P = = −
⃗ ⃗ ( ⃗ ⃗)
Position vector of Q = = −5𝑏⃗
1. Show that the points A, B and C with position vectors 𝑎⃗ = 3𝚤̂ − 4𝚥̂ − 4𝑘 , 𝑏⃗ =
2𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ + 𝑘 and c⃗ = ı̂ − 3ȷ̂ − 5k, respectively form the vertices of a right angled
TRY THESE triangle.
2. Find the unit vector in the direction of 3𝚤̂ + 4𝚥̂ − 12𝑘.
Note :
Try These
1. The scalar product of the vector 𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ + 𝑘 with a unit vector along the sum of the vectors 2𝚤̂ + 4𝚥̂ − 5𝑘 and
𝜆𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 3𝑘 is equal to one. Find the value of 𝜆.
2. Let 𝑎⃗ = 5𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ − 3𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏⃗ = 𝚤̂ + 3𝚥̂ − 5𝑘, then show that the vectors 𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎⃗ − 𝑏⃗ are perpendicular.
3. If 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗, 𝑐⃗ are three unit vectors such that 𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗ + 𝑐⃗ = 0⃗, find the value of 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗ + 𝑏⃗. 𝑐⃗ + 𝑐⃗. 𝑎⃗.
4. Show that the vectors 2𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ + 𝑘 , 𝚤̂ − 3𝚥̂ − 5𝑘 and 3𝚤̂ − 4𝚥̂ − 4𝑘 form the vertices of a right angled triangle.
5. If the vertices A, B and C of a triangle ABC are ( 1 , 2 , 3) , ( - 1 , 0 , 0) , (0 , 1 , 2) respectively, then find
∠𝐴𝐵𝐶.
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6. If 𝑎⃗ = 2𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 3𝑘 , 𝑏⃗ = −𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 𝑘 and 𝑐⃗ = 3𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ are such that 𝑎⃗ + 𝜆𝑏⃗ is perpendicular to 𝑐⃗, then find the
value of 𝜆.
7. If 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗, 𝑐⃗ are three mutually perpendicular vectors of equal magnitude, prove that a⃗ + b⃗ + c⃗ is equally inclined
with vectors a⃗, b⃗ and c⃗.
8. Find the values of x for which the angle between the vectors a⃗ = 2x ı̂ + 4xȷ̂ + k and b⃗ = 7ı̂ − 2ȷ̂ + xk is
obtuse.
9. Show that the points A, B and C with position vectors 2𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ + 𝑘 , 𝚤̂ − 3𝚥̂ − 5𝑘 and 3𝚤̂ − 4𝚥̂ − 4𝑘 respectively
are the vertices of a right angled triangle. Also, find the remaining angles of the triangle.
10. If 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗, 𝑐⃗ are three vectors such that 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗ = 𝑎⃗. 𝑐⃗, then show that 𝑎⃗ = 0 or b⃗ = c⃗ or a⃗ ⊥ b⃗ − c⃗ .
11. If a⃗ + b⃗ + c⃗ = 0⃗, |a⃗| = 3, b⃗ = 5 and |c⃗| = 7, find the angle between a⃗ and b⃗.
12. Show that the angle between two diagonals of a cube is cos .
13. If with reference to a right handed system of mutually perpendicular unit vectors 𝚤̂, 𝚥̂, 𝑘 , we have α⃗ = 3ı̂ − ȷ̂
and β⃗ = 2ı̂ + ȷ̂ − 3k . Express β⃗ in the form of β⃗ = β ⃗ + β ⃗ where β ⃗ is parallel to α⃗ and β ⃗ is perpendicular
to α⃗.
14. Let a⃗, b⃗, c⃗ are three vectors of magnitudes 3,4 and 5 respectively. If each one of them perpendicular to the sum
of the other two vectors, prove that a⃗ + b⃗ + c⃗ = 5√2.
15. If a⃗ + b⃗ + c⃗ = 0⃗, deduce Cosine Law.
16. If a⃗ = 5ı̂ − ȷ̂ − 3k and b⃗ = 𝚤̂ + 3𝚥̂ − 5𝑘, then show that the vectors a⃗ + b⃗ and a⃗ − b⃗ are orthogonal.
𝚤̂ 𝚥̂ 𝚥̂
−5 3 2 3 2 −5
𝑎⃗ × 𝑏 = 2 −5 3 = 𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ +𝑘
0 7 −2 7 −2 0
−2 0 7
= - 35 𝚤̂ + 20 𝚥̂ - 10𝑘
Important Points
𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗ = −(𝑏⃗ × 𝑎⃗ )
𝑎⃗ × 𝑎⃗ = 0⃗
𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗ =|𝑎⃗| 𝑏⃗ sin θ, where θ is the angle between 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗
Note :
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Questions
1. Find a unit vector perpendicular to both the vectors 4𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ + 3𝑘 and −2𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ − 2𝑘.
2. If 𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗ = 𝑏⃗ × 𝑐⃗ ≠ 0⃗, then show that 𝑎⃗ + 𝑐⃗ = 𝑘𝑏⃗ where k is a scalar.
3. If 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗, 𝑐⃗ are unit vectors. Suppose 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗ = 𝑎⃗. 𝑐⃗ = 0 and the angle between b⃗ and c⃗ is .
. Prove that 𝑎⃗ =
±2 𝑏⃗ × 𝑐⃗ .
4. Prove sine Law using vectors.
5. Find the vector whose length is 3 and which is perpendicular to the vectors 𝑎⃗ = 3𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ − 4𝑘 b⃗ = 6ı̂ + 5ȷ̂ − 2k
6. If a⃗ × b⃗ = c⃗ × d⃗ and a⃗ × c⃗ = b⃗ × d⃗, show that (𝑎⃗ − 𝑑⃗) is parallel to b⃗ − c⃗ where 𝑎⃗ ≠ 𝑑⃗ , 𝑏⃗ ≠ 𝑐⃗.
7. If a⃗, b⃗ and c⃗ are three proper vectors such that 𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗ = 𝑐⃗, b⃗ × c⃗ = a⃗ . Prove that 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗, 𝑐⃗ are mutually at right
angles and 𝑏⃗ = 1,|𝑐⃗| = |𝑎⃗|.
8. If A, B , C and D are any four points in spaces, prove that AB⃗ × CD⃗ +× BC⃗ × AD⃗ + CA⃗ × BD⃗ = 4(area of
∆ABC).
9. Using vectors , prove sin( A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B.
10. Find a unit vector perpendicular to each of the vectors a⃗ + b⃗ and a⃗ - b⃗, where a⃗ = ı̂ + ȷ̂ + k, b⃗ =.ı̂ + 2ȷ̂ + 3k.
11. Find the area of the parallelogram determined by the vectors 𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 3𝑘 and 3𝚤̂ − 2𝚥̂ + 𝑘 .
12. Show that the area of a parallelogram having diagonals 3𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ − 2𝑘 and 𝚤̂ − 3𝚥̂ + 4𝑘 is 5√3
⃗× ⃗ ⃗× ⃗ ⃗× ⃗
13. Show that the distance of the point c⃗ from the line joining a⃗ and b⃗ is ⃗ ⃗
.
14. For any three vectors 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗, 𝑐⃗. Show that a⃗ × b⃗ + c⃗ + b⃗ × (c⃗ + a⃗) + c⃗ × a⃗ + b⃗ = 0⃗.
15. Prove that the normal to the plane containing three points whose position vectors are 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗, 𝑐⃗ lies in the
direction b⃗ × c⃗ + c⃗ × a ⃗ + a⃗ × b⃗.
16. If 𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗ =a⃗ × c⃗ , 𝑎⃗ ≠ 0⃗ and b⃗ ≠ c⃗, show that b⃗ = c⃗ + ta⃗ for some scalar t.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Find a unit vector in the direction of 𝑎⃗ = 3𝚤̂ − 2𝚥̂ + 6𝑘.
2. Find the angle between the vectors 𝑎⃗ = 𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ + 𝑘 and 𝑏⃗ = 𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ − 𝑘.
3. For what value of 𝜆 are the vectors 𝑎⃗ = 2𝚤̂ + 𝜆𝚥̂ + 𝑘 and 𝑏⃗ = 𝚤̂ − 2𝚥̂ + 3𝑘 perpendicular to each other.
4. If P(1,5,4) and Q(4,1,2) , find the direction ratios of 𝑃𝑄⃗ .
5. If 𝑎⃗ = 𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ − 𝑘 and 𝑏⃗ = 3𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ − 5𝑘 , find a unit vector in the direction of 𝑎⃗ − 𝑏⃗.
6. If |𝑎⃗|=√3 , 𝑏⃗ = 2 and 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗ = 3, find the angle between a⃗ and b⃗.
7. If |𝑎⃗|=2 , 𝑏⃗ = √3 and 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗ = √3, find the angle between a⃗ and b⃗.
8. If 𝑎⃗ = 𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ − 3𝑘 and 𝑏⃗ = 2𝚤̂ + 4𝚥̂ + 9𝑘, find a unit vector parallel to 𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗.
9. If |𝑎⃗| = √3, 𝑏⃗ =2 and angle between 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ is 60°, find 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗.
10. Find a vector in the direction of 𝑎⃗ = 𝚤̂ − 2𝚥̂ whose magnitude is 7.
11. Find the projection of a⃗ on b⃗ if 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗ = 8 and 𝑏⃗ = 2𝚤̂ + 6𝚥̂ + 3𝑘.
12. Write a unit vector in the direction of 𝑎⃗ = 2𝚤̂ − 6𝚥̂ + 3𝑘.
13. Write the value of p, for which 𝑎⃗ = 3𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 9𝑘 and 𝑏⃗ = 𝚤̂ + 𝑝𝚥̂ + 3𝑘 are parallel vectors.
14. Find the angle between two vectors a⃗ and b⃗ with magnitude 1 and 2 respectively and when a⃗ × b⃗ = √3.
15. Find the value of p, if 2𝚤̂ + 6𝚥̂ + 27𝑘 × 𝚤̂ + 3𝚥̂ + 𝑝𝑘 =0⃗.
16. Write the direction cosines of a line equally inclined to the three coordinate axes.
17. If 𝑝⃗ is a unit vector and (𝑥⃗ − 𝑝⃗). (𝑥⃗ + 𝑝⃗) = 80, then find |𝑥⃗|.
18. Write a vector of magnitude 15 units in the direction of vector 𝚤̂ − 2𝚥̂ + 2𝑘.
19. What is the cosine of the angle which the vector √2𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ + 𝑘 makes with y axis.
20. Write a vector of magnitude 9 units in the direction of vector −2𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ + 2𝑘.
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