VECTORS

Total No.of questions in Vectors are -

In Chapter Examples ................................................................. 29

Solved Examples ....................................................................... 48

Total No. of questions ............................................................. 77

VECTORS
 (iii) Two unit vectors may not be equal unless
1. SCALAR & VECTOR QUANTITIES they have the same direction.
A physical quantity which is completely specified  
(iii) Equal Vector : Two vectors a and b are
by its magnitude only is called scalar . It is said to be equal , if
represented by a real number along with suitable  
(a) | a | = | b |
unit.
For example, Distance, Mass, Length, Time, (b) they have the same direction
Volume, Speed, Area are scalars. (iv) Collinear vectors or Parallel vectors :
On the other hand, a physical quantity which Vectors which are parallel to the same line
has magnitude as well as direction is called a are called collinear vectors or parallel vectors.
vector. For example, Displacement, velocity, Such vectors have either same direction or
acceleration, force etc. are vector quantities. opposite direction. If they have the same
direction they are said to be like vectors, and
2. REPRESENTATION OF A VECTOR if they have opposite directions, they are
 called unlike vectors.
Geometrically a vector is represented by a
  
directed line segment. If for a vector a , a = A B ,
then A is called its initial point and B is called
 
its terminal point. Clearly A B and B A
represents different line segments
   
If a = A B , then its magnitude is expressed by In the diagram a and c are like vectors

  whereas a and b are opposite vectors.
| a| or | A B | or AB.
B
(v) Coplanar Vectors : If the directed line
segment of some given vectors lie in a plane
a then they are called coplanar vectors. It
should be noted that two vectors having the
A same initial point are always coplanar but
Note : such three or more vectors may not be
coplanar.
The magnitude of a vector is always non negative

real number. (vi) Position Vectors : The vector OA which
represents the position of the point A with
3. KINDS OF VECTORS
respect to a fixed point (called origin) O is
(i) Zero or null vector : A vector whose called position vector of the point A. If (x,y,z)
magnitude is zero is called zero or null are coordinates of the point A, then

vector and it is denoted by 0 or 0 . The OA = x î  yĵ  zk̂
initial and terminal points of the directed line
segment representing zero vector are (vii) Reciprocal vectors : A vector which has
coincident and its direction is arbitrary. the same direction as vector a but whose
magnitude is the reciprocal of the magnitude
(ii) Unit vector : A vector of unit magnitude is of a, is called the reciprocal vector of vector
called a unit vector. A unit vector in the a and is denoted by a–1.
direction of a is denoted by a . Thus Thus if a =  a , then
 
a a vector a 
a =  =  = 1  â a
| a| a magnitude of a a–1 = .  =  2 =  2
 a |a| |a|
Note :
(i) | a | = 1
(ii) Unit vectors parallel to x- axis, y- axis and Note :
z- axis are denoted by i, j and k respectively. A unit vector is self reciprocal.

VECTORS
4. ADDITION OF VECTORS Examples
based on Addition of Vectors
4.1 Triangle law of addition : If two vectors are  
Ex.1 If a  2 î  3 ĵ  4k̂ and b  î  2 ĵ  k̂ , then
represented by two consecutive sides of a triangle  
a  b equals-
then their sum is represented by the third side of
the triangle but in opposite direction. This is known (A) î  ĵ  3k̂ (B) 3 î  ĵ  3k̂
as the triangle law of addition of vectors. (C) î  ĵ  3k̂ (D) 2 î  ĵ  k̂

C  
Sol. a  b = ( 2+ 1) î + (–3+ 2) ĵ + (4–1) k̂
= 3 î  ĵ  3k̂ Ans. [B]
b
a+ Ex.2 If C is the middle point of AB and P is any
c = point outside AB, then-
b
(A) PA + PB = PC
(B) PA + PB = 2 PC
a
A B
(C) PA + PB + PC = 0
     
Thus, if A B = a , B C = b , and A C = c (D) PA + PB + 2 PC = 0
     
then A B + B C = A C i.e. a  b  c

4.2 Parallelogram Law of Addition : If two vectors

are represented by two adjacent sides of a
parallelogram, then their sum is represented by
Sol.
the diagonal of the parallelogram whose initial
point is the same as the initial point of the given
vectors. This is known as parallelogram law of
addition of vectors. AC 1
 =
1
CB
B C
 AC = CB
b  AP + PC = CP + PB
b a +
c =  PA + PB = 2 PC Ans.[B]
b Ex.3 ABCD is a parallelogram whose diagonals
O A
meet at P. If O is a fixed point, then
  
Thus if OA = a , OB = b and OC = c OA + OB + OC + OD equals-
(A) OP (B) 2 OP
then OA + OB = OC (C) 3 OP (D) 4 OP
  
i.e. a  b  c Sol. since, P bisects both the diagonal AC and
Where OC is a diagonal of the parallelogram BD, so
OABC.  OA + OC = 2 OP and OB + OD = 2 OP
 OA + OB + OC + OD = 4 OP Ans.[D]
4.3 Addition in component form : If the vectors
 
are defined in terms of î , ĵ and k̂ . i.e. if Ex.4 If a , b are represented by the sides AB and
  BC of a regular hexagon ABCDEF, then vector
a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3 k̂ and b  b1î  b 2 ĵ  b 3k̂ then
represented by FA will be-
their sum is defined as    
  (A) a  b (B) b  a
a  b  (a1  b1 ) î  (a 2  b 2 ) ĵ  (a 3  b 3 ) k̂    
(C) a  b (D) 2b  a
VECTORS
 
and b  b1î  b 2 ĵ  b 3k̂
   
then a  b  (a1  b1 ) î  (a 2  b 2 ) ĵ  (a 3  b 3 )k̂
Note :
b
Sol.    
(i) a  b  b  a
       b
(ii) (a  b)  c  a  (b  c )
  (iii) Since any one side of a triangle is less than
 AC = a  b the sum and greater than the difference of
 the other two sides, so for any two vectors
AD = 2 BC = 2 b  
a and b , we have
 DC = DA + AC    
     | a  b |  | a | | b |
= – 2b + (a  b ) = a b    
| a  b |  | a | | b |
But FA = DC    
  | a  b |  | a | | b |
 FA = a  b Ans.[C]    
| a  b |  | a | | b |
5. PROPERTIES OF VECTOR ADDITION
Examples
Vector addition has the following properties. based on Subtraction of vectors
(i) Binary Operation : The sum of two vectors  
Ex.5 If a  2 î  3 ĵ  4k̂ , b  î  2 ĵ  k̂ , then
is always a vector.  
 a  b equals-
(ii) Commutativity : For any two vectors a
     (A) î  5 ĵ  5k̂ (B) î  5 ĵ  5k̂
and b , a  b  b  c
  (C) î  5 ĵ  5k̂ (D) None of these
(iii) Associativity : For any three vectors a , b  
       Sol. a  b = (2 – 1) î + (–3 – 2) ĵ + (4 + 1) k̂
and c , a  (b  c ) = (a  b)  c
= î  5 ĵ  5k̂ Ans. [C]
(iv) Identity : zero vector is the identity for
addition For any vector a 7. VECTORS IN TERMS OF POSITION VECTORS
     OF END POINTS
0a  a  a0

(v) Additive inverse : For every vector a its If AB be any given vector and also suppose that

negative vector – a exists. the position vectors of initial point A and terminal
such that point B are a and b respectively,
      
a  ( a )  ( a)  a  0 then AB = OB – OA = b  a
 i.e. AB = p.v. of point B – p.v. of point A
i.e. (–a) is the additive inverse of the vector a .
 = p.v. of terminal point – p.v. of initial point
Also if a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3 k̂
 Examples
Position vectors of end points
then  a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3k̂ based on

(vi) Cancellation Law : For any three vectors Ex.6 If position vectors of A and B are
  
a , b and c 3 î  4 ĵ  5k̂ and 2 î  3 ĵ  4k̂ then AB
   
a  b  a  c    equals-
     b  c
b  a  c  a (A)  î  7 ĵ  9k̂ (B) 3 î  2 ĵ  k̂

6. SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS (C) î  5 ĵ  k̂ (D) None of these

 
If a and b are two vectors, then their subtraction Sol. AB = p.v. of B – p.v. of A
     
a  b is defined as a  b  a  ( b) = (2 î  3 ĵ  4k̂ )  (3 î  4 ĵ  5k̂ )
 
where b is the negative of b having magnitude
  = (2 – 3) î + (–3 – 4) ĵ + (4 + 5) k̂
equal to that of b and direction opposite to b .
 = – î – 7 ĵ + 9 k̂ Ans. [A]
If a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3 k̂
VECTORS
8. DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS 
Again if a = a1 î + a2 ĵ + a3 k̂ then
Let A and B be two given points whose coordinate 
are respectively (x1,y1, z1) and (x2, y2, z2) m a = (ma1) î + (ma2) ĵ + (ma3) k̂
 
If a and b are p.v. of A and B relative to point O, then Note :
 (i) The multiplication of a vector by a scalar is
a = x1 î + y1 ĵ + z1 k̂
 also named as ‘scalar multiplication’.
b = x2 î + y2 ĵ + z2 k̂ (ii) From the definition of Scalar multiplication it
  is obvious to note that
Now AB = OB – OA = b  a  
 
a || b  a = m b , where m is some
= (x2 – x1) î + (y2 – y1) ĵ + (z2 – z1) k̂
suitable scalar.
 
Distance between the points A and B 9.1 Properties
= magnitude of AB  
If a , b are any two vectors and m, n are any
scalar then
= x 2  x1 2  y 2  y1 2  z 2  z1 2   
(i) m( a ) = ( a ) m = m a (commutativity)
Examples
Distance between two points   
based on (ii) m (n a ) = n (m a ) = (mn) a (Associativity)
  
Ex.7 If A = î – ĵ + 2 k̂ and B = 2 î + 3 ĵ – 4 k̂ (iii) (m + n) a = m a + n a
then | AB | equals-     (Distributivity)
(iv) m ( a + b ) = m a + m b
(A) 35 (B) 53   
(C) (D) 1 Ex.9 If a = 2 î – 5 ĵ + 2 k̂ then find 3 a and – 5 a .
65

Sol. AB = ( 2 î + 3 ĵ – 4 k̂ ) – ( î – ĵ + 2 k̂ ) Sol.  a = 2 î – 5 ĵ + 2 k̂

= î + 4 ĵ – 6 k̂  = 12  42  62 then 3 a = 6 î – 15 ĵ + 6 k̂

= 1  16  36 =53 Ans.[B] and – 5 a = – 10 î + 25 ĵ – 10 k̂ Ans.

Ex.8 If the modulus of vectors a =  î + 2 ĵ – 3 k̂ 10. POSITION VECTOR OF A DIVIDING

and b =  î + 13 ĵ be equal then the POINT
value of  is-  
If a and b are the position vectors of two points
(A) 0 (B) 1
A and B, then the position vector c of a point P
(C) 0 or 1 (D) None of these
dividing AB in the ratio m : n is given by
   
Sol. Since | a | = | b |  m b  na
c =
 2  2   3 
2 2
=      13 
2 2 mn
B
  2 + 13 =  + 13 a
  2 –  = 0   = 0 or 1 Ans.[C] b P
9. MULTIPLICATION OF A VECTOR BY A m
SCALAR c
 A
If a is a vector and m is a scalar (i.e. a real O a
number) then ma is a vector whose magnitude is

m times that of a and whose direction is the Particular Case :
same as that of a, if m is positive and opposite  
 ab
to that of a , if m is negative, (i) Position vector of the mid point of AB is
  2
 magnitude of m a = |m a | (ii) Any vector along the internal bisector of

 m (magnitude of a) = m | a | AOB is given by
 
 (a  b )
VECTORS
Note : Examples
(i) If the point P divides AB in the ratio m: n based on Relation between two parallel vectors
externally, then m/n will be negative. If m is 
Ex.11 The value of  when a = 2 î – 3 ĵ + k̂ and
positive and n is negative, then p.v.c of P is
 
 m b  na b = 8 î +  ĵ + 4 k̂ are parallel is -
given by c =
mn (A) 4 (B) – 6 (C) – 12 (D) 1
  
(ii) If a , b , c are position vectors of vertices   a1 a2 a3
of a triangle, then p.v. of its centroid is Sol. Since a || b  = =
   b1 b2 b3
abc 2 3 1
3  = – =
8  4
(iii) If a,b,c,d are position vectors of vertices of a
tetrahedron, then p.v. of its centroid is   = – 12 Ans. [C]
   
abc d 12. COLLINEARITY OF THREE POINTS
4   
(i) If a , b , c be position vectors of three points
Examples
based on Position vector of dividing point A,B and C respectively and x, y,z be three
scalars so that all are not zero, then the
necessary and sufficient conditions for three
Ex.10 If position vectors of two points A, B are points to be collinear is that
   
a + 3 b and a – 2 b , then the position   
x a + y b + z c = 0 and x + y + z = 0
vector of a point which divides AB in the ratio
2 : 5 is- (ii) Three points A, B and C are collinear, if any
    two vectors AB , BC and CA are parallel
(A) a + 2 b (B) 2 a + 7 b
   11  i.e. one of them is scalar multiple of any one
(C) a + 11 1b (D) a + b of the remaining vectors.
    7 Examples
2 (a  2b)  5 (a  3b)  11  based on Collinearity of Three points
Sol. p.v.= = a + b     
25 7 Ex.12 If 2 a – 3 b , b and a – b are position
Ans. [D] vectors of three points A,B and C then they
are -
11. RELATION BETWEEN TWO PARALLEL (A) Collinear (B) Non- collinear
VECTORS (C) Can’t say anything (D) None of these
      
(i) If a and b be two parallel vectors, then there Sol.  1 (2 a – 3 b ) + 1 ( b ) – 2 ( a – b ) = 0
  and 1 + 1 – 2 = 0
exists a scalar k such that a = k b
i.e. there exist two non- zero scalar quantities so the given vectors are collinear.
  Ans.[A]
x and y so that x a + y b = 0
If a and b be two non-zero non-parallel vectors Ex.13 If A  (2 î + 3 ĵ ), B  (p î + 9 ĵ ) and C  ( î – ĵ )
  are collinear, then the value of p is-
then x a + y b = 0  x = 0 and y =0 (A) 1/2 (B) 3/2 (C) 7/2 (D) 5/2
Obviously
Sol. AB = (p – 2) î + 6 ĵ , AC = – î – 4 ĵ
 
a  0, b  0 Now A,B,C are collinear  AB || AC

 or
   p2 6
x a + y b = 0   x  0, y  0  =  p = 7/2
1 4
 Ans. [C]
  or 
 a || b 13. COPLANAR & NON- COPLANAR VECTOR
   
(ii) If a = a1 î + a2 ĵ + a3 k̂ and (i) If a , b , c be three coplanar vectors, then a
 vector c can be expressed uniquely as linear
b = b1 î + b2 ĵ + b3 k̂ then from the property
  combination of remaining two vectors i.e.
of parallel vector, we have a || b  

a1 a2 a3 c =  a + b
 b = b = b
1 2 3 Where  and  are suitable scalars.

VECTORS
      14. PRODUCT OF VECTORS
Again c =  a +  b  vectors a , b
 Product of two vectors is done by two methods
and c are coplanar..
   when the product of two vectors results in a scalar
If a , b , c be three coplanar vectors, then quantity then it is called scalar product. It is
there exist three non zero scalars x, y, z so also called as dot product because this product
is represented by putting a dot.
that When the product of two vectors results in a
  
x a + yb + zc = 0 vector quantity then this product is called
   Vector Product. This product is represented by
(ii) If a , b , c be three non coplanar non zero
(x) sign so that it is also called as cross product.
vector then
   15. SCALAR OR DOT PRODUCT OF TWO
x a + y b + z c = 0  x = 0, y = 0, z = 0
VECTORS
(iii) Any vector r can be expressed uniquely as 

the linear combination of three non coplanar 15.1 Definition : If a and b are two non zero vectors
   and  be the angle between them, then their
and non- zero vectors a , b and c i.e.
   scalar product (or dot product) is defined as the
r = x a + y b + z c where x, y and z are    
number a b cos  where a and b are modulii
scalars.  
of a and b respectively and 0     . It is
 
Examples denoted by a . b . Thus
based on Coplanar and non-coplanar vectors      
a . b = | a | | b | cos  = a b cos 
Ex.14 If vectors 2 î – ĵ + k̂ , î + 2 ĵ – 3 k̂ and
3 î + a ĵ + 5 k̂ are coplanar, then the value
of a is-
(A) 2
(B) – 2
(C) – 1
(D) – 4 )
Sol. If given vectors are coplanar, then there exists
two scalar quantities x and y such that Note :
 
2 î – ĵ + k̂ = x( î + 2 ĵ – 3 k̂ ) (i) a . b  R
   
+ y (3 î + a ĵ + 5 k̂ ) ...(1) (ii) a . b  | a | | b |
  
Comparing coefficient of î , ĵ , and k̂ on both (iii) a . b > 0  angle between a and b is acute
   
sides of (1), we get a . b < 0  angle between a and b is obtuse.

x + 3y = 2, 2x + ay = – 1, – 3x + 5y = 1 (iv) The dot product of a zero and non- zero
vector is a scalar zero.
...(2)
15.2 Geometrical Interpretation :
Solving first and third equations, we get
Geometrically, the scalar product of two vectors
1 1 is equal to the product of the magnitude of one
x = , y = .
2 2 and the projection of second in the direction of
  
Since the vectors are coplanar, therefore first vector i.e. a . b = a ( b cos  )
  
these values of x and y will satisfy the = | a | (projection of b in the direction of a )
equation 2x + ay = – 1    
Similarly a . b = b ( a cos  )
 
1 1 = |b| (projection of a in the direction of b )
 2 ×
2
+ a ×
2
= – 1  
  a .b
 a = – 4 Here projection of b on a = 
  |a|
Ans. [D]   a .b
Projection of a on b = 
|b|
VECTORS
 Examples Examples
based on Scalar Product of Two vectors based on Scalar Product in Particular cases
 
Ex.15 If angle between a and b is 120º and their Ex.17 If vectors 2 î + ĵ – 4 k̂ and î + x ĵ + k̂ are
perpendicular then x is equal to-
magnitudes are respectively 2 and 3 , then
a.b equals- (A) 2 (B) – 2
(C) 4 (D) – 4
(A) 3 (B) – 3 (C) 3 (D) – 3  
    Sol. Let the given vectors be a and b . since
Sol We know that a . b = | a | | b | cos  they are perpendicular, so
 
= 2 3 cos 120º a .b = 0  2 + x – 4 = 0
= 2 3 (– 1/2) = – 3  x = 2 Ans.[A]
Ans.[B]
17. PROPERTIES OF SCALAR PRODUCT
Ex.16 The projection of vector î + ĵ + k̂ on the   
If a , b , c are any vectors and m, n any scalars
vector î – ĵ + k̂ is-
then
(A) 3 (B) 1/ 3    
(i) a . b = b . a (Commutativity)
(C) 2/ 3 (D) 2 3      
(ii) (m a ). b = a . (m b ) = m ( a . b )
î  ĵ  k̂ . î  ĵ  k̂  1 1 1    
(iii) (m a ). (n b ) = (mn) ( a . b )
Sol. Projection =
| î  ĵ  k̂ |
=
1 1 1       
(iv) a .( b + c ) = a . b + a . c (Distributivity)
1      
(v) a . b = a . c   b = c
= Ans.[B]       
3
Infact a . b = a . c  a .( b – c ) = 0
     
16. SCALAR PRODUCT IN PARTICULAR  a = 0 or b = c or a  ( b – c )
CASES   
  (vi) ( a . b ) . c is meaningless
(i) If a and b are like vectors, then  = 0 so
      (vi) scalar product is not binary operation.
a .b = |a | |b | = a b
i.e. scalar product of two like vectors is equal Note :
to the product of their modulii   
  (a) ( a . b ). b is not defined
(ii) If a and b are unlike vectors then  =  so      
      (b) ( a + b )2 = | a |2 + 2 a . b + | b |2
a . b = a b cos  = – a b .      
(iii) The scalar product of a vector by itself is (c) ( a – b )2 = | a |2 – 2 a . b + | b |2
       
equal to the square of its modulus i.e. (d) ( a + b ). ( a – b ) = | a |2 – | b |2 = | a |2 – | b |2
        
a . a = | a |2 (e) | a + b | = | a | + | b |  a || b
 
(iv) If a and b are perpendicular to each other      
(f) | a + b |2 = | a |2 + | b |2  a  b
then  =  /2, so      
    (g) | a + b | = | a – b |  a  b
a . b = a b cos  /2= 0
i.e. the scalar product of two perpendicular 18. SCALAR PRODUCT IN TERMS OF
vectors is always zero.
But its converse may not be true i.e. COMPONENTS
    
a .b = 0   a  b Let a and b be two vectors such that
   
But if a and b are non zero vectors, then a = a 1 î + a 2 ĵ + a 3 k̂
       
a .b = 0  a  b
      and b = b 1 î + b 2 ĵ + b 3 k̂
Thus a  0, b  0, a . b = 0  a  b        
Then a . b = a 1 b 1 + a 2 b 2 + a 3 b 3
(v) With the help of the above cases, we get the
following important results: In particular
     
a . a = | a |2 = a 12 + a 22 + a 32
(a) î . î = ĵ . ĵ = k̂ . k̂ . = 1 (b) î . ĵ = ĵ . k̂ . = 
For any vector a ,
k̂ . î = 0     
 a = ( a . î ) î + ( a . ĵ ) ĵ + ( a . k̂ ) k̂
(vi) If a and b are unit vectors, then
 
a . b = cos 
VECTORS
 Examples 21. WORK DONE BY THE FORCE
based on Scalar Product in terms of Components
 If a constant force F acting on a particle displaces
 it from point A to B, then
Ex.18 If a = 3 î + 2 ĵ + k̂ and b = î – 2 ĵ + 5 k̂
  work done by the force W = F.
then find a . b .
 (where = )
Sol. a . = (3) (1) + (2) (–2) + (1) (5)
= 3 – 4 + 5 = 4.
Work done by the force
19. ANGLE BETWEEN TWO VECTORS Ex.20 Find the work done by a force represented
 
(i) If a and b be two vectors and  be the by 4 + – 3 which displaces a particle
angle between them, then
    from the point A ( +2 + 3 ) to the point
a .b a b
cos  =   =  .  = â . b̂ B (5 + 4 + ).
|a| |b| a b
  Sol. Here F = 4 + – 3
(ii) If a = a 1 î + 2 + 3 and
d = = (5 – 1) + (4 – 2) + (1 – 3)
b = b 1 + b2 + b3 then
= 4 + 2 – 2
Work done by the given force = F.
cos =
= (4 + – 3 ) . (4 + 2 – 2 )
Note : If and are perpendicular to each other = 16 + 2 + 6 = 24 units.
then a1 b1 + a2 b2 + a3 b3 = 0 22. VECTOR OR CROSS PRODUCT OF TWO
VECTORS
Angle between two vectors
22.1 Definition : If and be two vectors and
Ex.19 Find the angle between the vectors (0 ) be the angle between them, then
4 + + 2 and 2 + 2 – . their vector (or cross) product is defined to be a
vector whose magnitude is ab sin and whose
Sol. Let the required angle is .
direction is perpendicular to the plane of and
such that , and x
= cos–1 form a right handed system.
× = | | | | sin
= cos–1 = sin
W here is a unit vector
perpendicular to the plane of
20. COMPONENTS OF b ALONG &
and such that , and
PERPENDICULAR TO a
form a right handed system.
(i) Component along a = 22.2 Vector product in terms of
components :
= OM = ( b cos )
If = a1 + a2 + a3 and = b1 + b2 + b3
= then × = (a2 b3 – a3b2) + (a3b1 – a1b3)
+ (a1 b2 – a2 b1)
= .a

=
(ii) Component perpendicular to =
= + 22.3 Angle between two vectors : If is the angle
= – between and , then

= – . sin =

VECTORS
 If n̂ is the unit
 vector perpendicular to the plane 24. EXPRESSION FOR sin 
 
of a and b , then If a = a1 î + a2 ĵ + a3 k̂
  
ab
n̂ =   and b = b1 î + b2 ĵ + b3 k̂
| ab |  
and  be angle between a and b , then
Examples
based on Vector Product of two vectors
  a 2b 3  a 3b 2 2  a1b 3  a 3b1 2  a1b 2  a 2b1 2
sin2  =
Ex.21 If a = 2 î + 2 ĵ – k̂ and b = 6 î – 3 ĵ + 2 k̂
 
then a × b equals-
a2
1 
 a 22  a 32 b12  b 22  b 32 
25. PROPERTIES OF VECTOR PRODUCT
(A) 2 î – 2 ĵ – k̂ (B) î – 10 ĵ – 18 k̂   
If a , b , c are any vectors and m,n any scalars
(C) î + ĵ + k̂ (D) 6 î – 3 ĵ + 2 k̂
then
   
î ĵ k̂ (i) a × b  b × a (Non- commutativity)
     
Sol. a × b = 2 2 1 but a × b = – ( b × a )
6 3 2    
and | a × b | = | b × a |
= î (4 – 3) – ĵ (4 + 6) + k̂ (–6 – 12)      
(ii) (m a ) × b = a × (m b ) = m ( a x b )
   
= î – 10 ĵ – 18 k̂ Ans.[B] (iii) (m a ) × (n b ) = (mn) ( a × b )
     
Ex.22 If angle between î – 2 ĵ + 3 k̂ and 2 î + ĵ + k̂ is (iv) a × ( b × c )  ( a × b ) × c
      
 then sin  equals- (v) a × ( b + c ) = ( a × b ) + ( a × c )(Distributivity)
     
(A) 5/ 7 (B) 5/21 (vi) a × b = a × c   b = c
(C) 5/2 7 (D) 3/ 14 Infact
      
a × b = a × c  a × (b – c ) = 0
| ab |      
Sol. We know that sin  = | a | | b |  a = 0 or b = c or a || ( b – c )
  26. GEOMETRICAL INTERPRETATION OF VECTOR
Now a × b = – 5i + 5 ĵ + 5 k̂
PRODUCT
   
 | a × b | = 5   5   5  = 75 = 5 3
2 2 2
The vector product of the vectors a and b
  represents a vector whose modulus is equal to
| a | = 1 4  9 , | b | = 4  1  1
the area of the parallelogram whose two adjacent
 
5 3 5 3 sides are represented by a and b . Therefore
 sin  = = 
1 4  9 4  1 1 14 6 | a × b| = area of a parallelogram whose adjacent
 
5 5 sides are a and b .
= = Ans.[C]  
28 2 7 Further it should be noted that if a , b represent
two diagonals of a parallelogram,
23. VECTOR PRODUCT IN PARTICULAR
1  
CASES then the area of the parallelogram = | a × b |
2
(i) The vector product of two parallel vectors is
always zeroi.e. if vectors a and b are parallel, Note : Area of a quadrilateral ABCD

then a × b = 0 1
  = | AC × BD |
In particular a × b = 0 2
(ii) If and b are perpendicular vectors, then Examples
Geometrical interpretation of vector product
based on
× = | | | | =
(iii) If , be three mutually perpendicular unit Ex.23 Find the area of a parallelogram whose two
vectors, then adjacent sides are represented by

(a) × = × = × = 0 a = 3 î + ĵ + 2 k̂ and b = 2 î – 2 ĵ + 4 k̂ .
 
(b) × = , × = , × = Sol. Area of parallelogram = | a × b |

(c) × = – , × = – , × = –
VECTORS
 î ĵ k̂ i j k
 = 1  3 4 = – 3 î + 11
1 ĵ + 9 k̂
Now a × b = 3 1 2 = 8 î – 8 ĵ – 8 k̂
2 2 4 3 0 1

 Area = |8 î – 8j – 8 k̂ | = 8 3 unitss 29. SCALAR TRIPLE PRODUCT

  
27. AREA OF A TRIANGLE 29.1 Definition : If a , b , c are three vectors, then
their scalar triple product is defined as the dot
1  
product of two vectors a and b × c . It is generally
(i) Area of triangle ABC =
2
| AB × AC |      
   denoted by a . ( b × c ) or [ a b c ]. It is read as
(ii) If a , b , c are position vectors of vertices of a   
box product of a , b , c .Similarly other scalar triple
ABC then its      
products can be defined as ( b × c ). a , ( c × a ). b .
1      
Area = |( a × b ) + ( b × c ) + ( c × a )| Note :
2
Scalar triple product always results in a scalar
Note :
   quantity (number).
Three points with position vectors a , b , c are
collinear if 29.2 Geometrical Interpretation : The scalar triple
      product of three vectors is equal to the volume of
(a × b ) + (b × c ) + (c × a ) = 0 the parallelopiped whose three coterminous edges
are represented by the given vector.
Examples
Area of a triangle      
based on Therefore ( a × b ) . c = [ a b c ] = Volume of the
Ex.24 Find the area of ABC if position vectors of  
parallelopiped whose coterminous edges are a , b

its vertices A, B,C are î + ĵ , ĵ + k̂ and and c .
k̂ + î respectively..
29.3 Formula for scalar Triple Product :
 
Sol. AB = ( ĵ + k̂ ) – ( î + ĵ ) = k̂ – î (i) If a = a1  + a2m + a3n, b = b1  + b2 m +

AC = ( k̂ + î ) – ( î + ĵ ) = k̂ – ĵ b3 n and c = c1  + c2m + c3n, then
a1 a 2 a3
i j k    b1 b 2 b3
[a b c ] = = [  mn]
 AB × AC =  1 0 1 = î + ĵ + k̂
c1 c 2 c3
0 1 1  
(ii) a = a1i + a2j + a3k, b = b1i + b2j + b3k
1 
 Area of  ABC = | AB × AC | and c =c1i + c2j + c3k, then
2
1 a1 a 2 a3
=
2 1 1 1
= 3 /2    b1 b 2 b3
[a b c ] =
c1 c 2 c3
28. MOMENT OF A FORCE  
The moment of the force F acting at a point A (iii) For any three vectors a , b and c
        
about O is given by (a) [ a + b b + c c + a ] = 2 [ a b c]
      
Moment of F = OA × F = r × F (b) [ a – b b – c c – a ] = 0
        
Examples
(c) [ a × b b × c c × a ] = [ a b c ]2
based on Moment of a Force
29.4 Properties of Scalar Triple product
Ex.25 Find the moment of the force 3 î + k̂ passing
(i) The position of (.) and (×) can
 beinterchanged
through the point A (2 î – ĵ + 3 k̂ ) about the   
i.e. a . ( b × c ) = ( a × b ) . c
     
point O ( î + 2 ĵ – k̂ ). but ( a × b ) . c = c . ( a × b )
         
Sol. Here r = OA = î – 3 ĵ + 4 k̂ So [ a b c ] = [ b c a ] = [ c a b ]
 Moment of force F at A with respect to O Therefore if we don’t change the cyclic order
= r × F of a, b and c then the value of scalar triple
product is not changed by interchanging dot
= ( î – 3 ĵ + 4 k̂ ) × ( 3 î + k̂ )
and cross.
VECTORS
 (ii) If the cyclic order of vectors is changed, then 30. VOLUME OF TETRAHEDRON
sign of scalar triple product is changed i.e.   
     
a . [b × c ] = – a . (c × b ) (i) If a , b , c are position vectors of vertices A, B
      and C with respect to O, then volume of
or [ a b c ] = – [ a c b ]
tetrahedron OABC
from (i) and (ii) we have
        
[ a b c ]= [ b c a ] = [ c a b ] 1   
         = [a b c ]
= – [a c b ] = – [b a c ] = – [c b a ] 6
(iii) The scalar triple product of three vectors when    
(ii) If a , b , c , d are position vectors of vertices
two of them are equal or parallel, is zero i.e.
      A,B,C,D of a tetrahedron ABCD, then
[a b b ] = [a b a] = 0

 
(iv) The scalar triple product of three mutually
 1
perpendicular unit vectors is  1 Thus  6 AB AC AD
[ î ĵ k̂ ] = 1, [ î k̂ ĵ] = – 1  or
   its volume = 
(v) If two of the three vectors a , b , c are parallel 1

   b  a c  a d  a
then [ a b c ] = 0 6
     
(vi) a , b , c are three coplanar vectors if [ a b c ]
Examples
= 0 i.e. the necessary and sufficient condition
based on Volume of tetrahedron
for three non-zero collinear vectors to be
coplanar is Ex.28 If the vertices of any tetrahedron be
   
[a b c ] = 0  
   a  ĵ  2k̂ , b  3 î  k̂ , c  4 î  3 ĵ  6k̂ and
(vii) For any vectors a , b , c , d 
       d  2 î  3 ĵ  2k̂ then find its volume.
[ a + b c d] = [ a c d] + [ b c d]
Sol. Let the p.v. of the vertices A,B,C,D with
Examples
Scalar Triple Product   
based on respect to 0 are a , b , c and d respectively
    
Ex.26 If a  2 î  3 ĵ , b  î  ĵ  k̂ and c  3 î  k̂ then AB = b – a = 3 î  ĵ  k̂ ,
represent three coterminous edges of a
parallelopiped, then the volume of that AC = 4 î  2 ĵ  4k̂ and AD = 2 î  2 ĵ
parallelopiped is-

Sol.
(A) (B) 4
  
Volume = [ a b c ]
(C) 6 (D) 10
Now volume of tetrahedron =
1
6

AB AC AD 
2 3 0 3 1 1
1 1 1 1
= = – 2 + 9 – 3 = 4 = 4 2 4 = – 6
6
3 0 1 2 2 0
Ans.[B]  Required volume = 6 units
  
Ex.27 For any three vectors a , b , c
      31. VECTOR TRIPLE PRODUCT
[ a + b b + c c + a ] equals-
     
(A) [ a b c ] (B) 2 [ a b c ] 31.1 Definition :
  
(C) [ a b c ]2 (D) 0   
      The vector triple product of three vectors a , b , c
Sol. [a + b b + c c c + a]
      
= ( a + b ). [( b + c ) × ( c + a )] is defined as the vector product of two vectors a
              
= ( a + b ).( b × c + b × a + c × c + c × a )] and b  c . It is denoted by a  (b  c ) .
       
= (a + b ) . (b × c + b × a + c × a)
  31.2 Properties :
[  c × c = 0]
           
= [a b c ] + [a b a] + [a c a] + [b b c ] (i) Expansion formula for vector triple product is
     
+ [b b a ] + [b c a ] given by
     
 
= [ a b c ] + [ b c a ] = 2 [ a b c ] Ans.[B]

VECTORS
          Examples
a  (b  c )  ( a . c ) b  ( a . b ) c based on Vector Triple Product
        
(b  c )  a  (b . a) c  (c . a ) b . Ex.29 î  ( ĵ  k̂ ) + ĵ  (k̂  î ) + k̂  ( î  ĵ ) equals-

(ii) If a  a1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3 k̂ (A) î (B) ĵ

b  b1î  b 2 ĵ  b 3k̂ and (C) k̂ (D) 0

c  c 1î  c 2 ĵ  c 3k̂ then Sol. î  ( ĵ  k̂ ) + ĵ  (k̂  î ) + k̂  ( î  ĵ )

 î × î + ĵ × ĵ + k̂ × k̂
î ĵ k̂
   = 0 + 0 + 0 = 0 Ans.[D]
a  (b  c ) = a1 a2 a3
b 2c 3  b 3c 2 b 3 c 1  b1c 3 b1c 2  b 2c 1

Note :
(i) Vector triple product is a vector quantity.
     
(ii) a  (b  c )  (a  b)  c
    
(iii) Vector a  (b  c ) is coplanar with b and c
  
(iv) The direction of a  (b  c ) is perpendicular
  
to a and parallel to b and c .

VECTORS