Problem 3.1 Vector A starts at point (1, −1, −3) and ends at point (2, −1, 0).

Find
a unit vector in the direction of A.
Solution:

A = x̂(2 − 1) + ŷ(−1 − (−1)) + ẑ(0 − (−3)) = x̂ + ẑ3,

√
|A| = 1 + 9 = 3.16,
A x̂ + ẑ3
â = = = x̂ 0.32 + ẑ 0.95.
|A| 3.16
Problem 3.2 Given vectors A = x̂2− ŷ3+ ẑ, B = x̂2− ŷ+ ẑ3, and C = x̂4+ ŷ2− ẑ2,
show that C is perpendicular to both A and B.
Solution:

A · C = (x̂2 − ŷ3 + ẑ) · (x̂4 + ŷ2 − ẑ2) = 8 − 6 − 2 = 0,

B · C = (x̂2 − ŷ + ẑ3) · (x̂4 + ŷ2 − ẑ2) = 8 − 2 − 6 = 0.
Problem 3.5 Given vectors A = x̂ + ŷ2 − ẑ3, B = x̂2 − ŷ4, and C = ŷ2 − ẑ4, find
(a) A and â,
(b) the component of B along C,
(c) θAC ,
(d) A× × C,
(e) A ·(B×× C),
(f) A×× (B× × C),
× B, and
(g) x̂×
(h) (A× × ŷ) · ẑ.
Solution:
(a) From Eq. (3.4), q √
A = 12 + 22 + (−3)2 = 14,
and, from Eq. (3.5),
x̂ + ŷ2 − ẑ3
âA = √ .
14
(b) The component of B along C (see Section 3-1.4) is given by
B·C −8
B cos θBC = = √ = −1.8 .
C 20
(c) From Eq. (3.18),
A·C 4 + 12 16
θAC = cos−1 = cos−1 √ √ = cos−1 √ = 17.0◦ .
AC 14 20 280
(d) From Eq. (3.27),

A × C = x̂(2(−4) − (−3)2) + ŷ((−3)0 − 1(−4)) + ẑ(1(2) − 2(0)) = −x̂2 + ŷ4 + ẑ2.

(e) From Eq. (3.27) and Eq. (3.21),

A · (B × C) = A · (x̂16 + ŷ8 + ẑ4) = 1(16) + 2(8) + (−3)4 = 20.

Eq. (3.30) could also have been used in the solution. Also, Eq. (3.29) could be used
in conjunction with the result of part (d).
(f) By repeated application of Eq. (3.27),

A × (B × C) = A × (x̂16 + ŷ8 + ẑ4) = x̂32 − ŷ52 − ẑ24.

Eq. (3.33) could also have been used.

(g) From Eq. (3.27),
x̂ × B = −ẑ4.
 (h) From Eq. (3.27) and Eq. (3.21),

(A × ŷ) · ẑ = (x̂3 + ẑ) · ẑ = 1.

Eq. (3.29) and Eq. (3.25) could also have been used in the solution.
Problem 3.11 Find a unit vector parallel to either direction of the line described by

2x + z = 4.

Solution: First, we find any two points on the given line. Since the line equation
is not a function of y, the given line is in a plane parallel to the x–z plane. For
convenience, we choose the x–z plane with y = 0.
For x = 0, z = 4. Hence, point P is at (0, 0, 4).
For z = 0, x = 2. Hence, point Q is at (2, 0, 0).
Vector A from P to Q is:

A = x̂(2 − 0) + ŷ(0 − 0) + ẑ(0 − 4) = x̂2 − ẑ4,

A x̂2 − ẑ4
â = = √ .
|A| 20
Problem 3.16 Given B = x̂(z−3y)+ ŷ(2x−3z)− ẑ(x+y), find a unit vector parallel
to B at point P = (1, 0, −1).
Solution: At P = (1, 0, −1),

B = x̂(−1) + ŷ(2 + 3) − ẑ(1) = −x̂ + ŷ5 − ẑ,

B −x̂ + ŷ5 − ẑ −x̂ + ŷ5 − ẑ
b̂ = =√ = √ .
|B| 1 + 25 + 1 27
Problem 3.22 Convert the coordinates of the following points from Cartesian to
cylindrical and spherical coordinates:
(a) P1 = (1, 2, 0),
(b) P2 = (0, 0, 2),
(c) P3 = (1, 1, 3),
(d) P4 = (−2, 2, −2).
Solution: Use the “coordinate variables” column in Table 3-2.
(a) In the cylindrical coordinate system,
p √
P1 = ( 12 + 22 , tan−1 (2/1), 0) = ( 5, 1.107 rad, 0) ≈ (2.24, 63.4◦ , 0).
In the spherical coordinate system,
p p
P1 = ( 12 + 22 + 02 , tan−1 ( 12 + 22 /0), tan−1 (2/1))
√
= ( 5, π /2 rad, 1.107 rad) ≈ (2.24, 90.0◦ , 63.4◦ ).
Note that in both the cylindrical and spherical coordinates, φ is in Quadrant I.
(b) In the cylindrical coordinate system,
p
P2 = ( 02 + 02 , tan−1 (0/0), 2) = (0, 0 rad, 2) = (0, 0◦ , 2).
In the spherical coordinate system,
p p
P2 = ( 02 + 02 + 22 , tan−1 ( 02 + 02 /2), tan−1 (0/0))
= (2, 0 rad, 0 rad) = (2, 0◦ , 0◦ ).
Note that in both the cylindrical and spherical coordinates, φ is arbitrary and may
take any value.
(c) In the cylindrical coordinate system,
p √
P3 = ( 12 + 12 , tan−1 (1/1), 3) = ( 2, π /4 rad, 3) ≈ (1.41, 45.0◦ , 3).
In the spherical coordinate system,
p p
P3 = ( 12 + 12 + 32 , tan−1 ( 12 + 12 /3), tan−1 (1/1))
√
= ( 11, 0.44 rad, π /4 rad) ≈ (3.32, 25.2◦ , 45.0◦ ).
Note that in both the cylindrical and spherical coordinates, φ is in Quadrant I.
(d) In the cylindrical coordinate system,
q
P4 = ( (−2)2 + 22 , tan−1 (2/ − 2), −2)
√
= (2 2, 3π /4 rad, −2) ≈ (2.83, 135.0◦ , −2).
In the spherical coordinate system,
q q
P4 = ( (−2) + 2 + (−2) , tan ( (−2)2 + 22 / − 2), tan−1 (2/ − 2))
2 2 2 −1
√
= (2 3, 2.187 rad, 3π /4 rad) ≈ (3.46, 125.3◦ , 135.0◦ ).

Note that in both the cylindrical and spherical coordinates, φ is in Quadrant II.
Problem 3.25 Use the appropriate expression for the differential surface area ds to
determine the area of each of the following surfaces:
(a) r = 3; 0 ≤ φ ≤ π /3; −2 ≤ z ≤ 2,
(b) 2 ≤ r ≤ 5; π /2 ≤ φ ≤ π ; z = 0,
(c) 2 ≤ r ≤ 5; φ = π /4; −2 ≤ z ≤ 2,
(d) R = 2; 0 ≤ θ ≤ π /3; 0 ≤ φ ≤ π ,
(e) 0 ≤ R ≤ 5; θ = π /3; 0 ≤ φ ≤ 2π .
Also sketch the outlines of each of the surfaces.
Solution:

∆Φ = π/3
y

3 2 2
5

x
5 2

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e)

Figure P3.25: Surfaces described by Problem 3.25.

(a) Using Eq. (3.43a),

Z 2 Z π /3
π /3 ¯2
³ ´¯
A= (r)|r=3 d φ dz = (3φ z)|φ =0 ¯ = 4π .
z=−2 φ =0 z=−2

(b) Using Eq. (3.43c),

Z 5 Z π ³¡ ¢¯5 ´¯¯π 21π
A= (r)|z=0 d φ dr = 2r φ
1 2 ¯
r=2 ¯
= .
r=2 φ =π /2 φ =π /2 4
(c) Using Eq. (3.43b),
Z 2 Z 5 ³ ´¯5
A= (1)|φ =π /4 dr dz = (rz)|2z=−2 ¯ = 12.
¯
z=−2 r=2 r=2

(d) Using Eq. (3.50b),

Z π /3 Z π ¡
π /3 ¯π
³ ´¯
R2 sin θ ¯R=2 d φ d θ = (−4φ cos θ )|θ =0 ¯ = 2π .
¢¯
A=
θ =0 φ =0 φ =0

(e) Using Eq. (3.50c),

Z 5 Z 2π √
π ´¯¯2π ¯¯5 25 3π
µ³ ¶¯
A= (R sin θ )|θ =π /3 d φ dR = 2R φ
1 2
sin = .
3 φ =0 ¯R=0
¯
R=0 φ =0 2
Problem 3.26 Find the volumes described by
(a) 2 ≤ r ≤ 5; π /2 ≤ φ ≤ π ; 0 ≤ z ≤ 2,
(b) 0 ≤ R ≤ 5; 0 ≤ θ ≤ π /3; 0 ≤ φ ≤ 2π .
Also sketch the outline of each volume.
Solution:

z z

5
2

y y
2 5

x x
(a) (b)

Figure P3.26: Volumes described by Problem 3.26 .

(a) From Eq. (3.44),

Z 2 Z π
21π
¶¯2
Z 5 ¢¯5 ´¯¯π
µ³
r dr d φ dz = φ
2
¯
v=
¡1
2 r z ¯
r=2 ¯
¯ = .
z=0 φ =π /2 r=2 φ =π /2 ¯z=0 2

(b) From Eq. (3.50e),

Z 2π Z π /3 Z 5
v= R2 sin θ dR d θ d φ
φ =0 θ =0 R=0
¶¯5 !¯¯π /3 ¯2π
Ã ¯
3 125π
µ
R
− cos θ φ ¯¯
¯ ¯ ¯¯
= ¯ = .
3 R=0 ¯
¯ 3
¯ θ =0 φ =0
Problem 3.30 Given vectors

A = r̂(cos φ + 3z) − φ̂φ(2r + 4 sin φ ) + ẑ(r − 2z),

B = −r̂ sin φ + ẑ cos φ ,

find
(a) θAB at (2, π /2, 0),
(b) a unit vector perpendicular to both A and B at (2, π /3, 1).
Solution: It doesn’t matter whether the vectors are evaluated before vector products
are calculated, or if the vector products are directly calculated and the general results
are evaluated at the specific point in question.
(a) At (2, π /2, 0), A = −φ̂φ8 + ẑ2 and B = −r̂. From Eq. (3.18),
µ ¶ µ ¶
−1 A · B 0
θAB = cos = cos −1
= 90◦ .
AB AB
√ √
(b) At (2, π /3, 1), A = r̂ 72 − φ̂φ4(1 + 21 3) and B = −r̂ 21 3 + ẑ 12 . Since A × B is
perpendicular to both A and B, a unit vector perpendicular to both A and B is given
by
√ √ √
A×B r̂(−4(1 + 21 3))( 21 ) − φ̂φ( 27 )( 12 ) − ẑ(4(1 + 21 3))( 21 3)
± =± q √ 2 √ 2
|A × B| 2
(2(1 + 12 3)) + ( 47 ) + (3 + 2 3)
≈ ∓(r̂0.487 + φ̂φ 0.228 + ẑ 0.843).
Problem 3.32 Determine the distance between the following pairs of points:
(a) P1 = (1, 1, 2) and P2 = (0, 2, 3),
(b) P3 = (2, π /3, 1) and P4 = (4, π /2, 3),
(c) P5 = (3, π , π /2) and P6 = (4, π /2, π ).
Solution:
(a) From Eq. (3.66),
q √
d= (0 − 1)2 + (2 − 1)2 + (3 − 2)2 = 3 .

(b) From Eq. (3.67),

r ³π π ´ q
√
d = 22 + 42 − 2(2)(4) cos − + (3 − 1)2 = 24 − 8 3 ≈ 3.18.
2 3
(c) From Eq. (3.68),

π π π ´´
r ³ ³
d = 32 + 42 − 2(3)(4) cos cos π + sin π sin cos π − = 5.
2 2 2
Problem 3.34 Transform the following vectors into cylindrical coordinates and
then evaluate them at the indicated points:
(a) A = x̂(x + y) at P1 = (1, 2, 3),
(b) B = x̂(y − x) + ŷ(x − y) at P2 = (1, 0, 2),
(c) C = x̂y2 /(x2 + y2 ) − ŷx2 /(x2 + y2 ) + ẑ4 at P3 = (1, −1, 2),
(d) D = R̂ sin θ + θ̂θ cos θ + φ̂φ cos2 φ at P4 (2, π /2, π /4),
(e) E = R̂ cos φ + θ̂θ sin φ + φ̂φ sin2 θ at P5 = (3, π /2, π ).
Solution: From Table 3-2:
(a)

A = (r̂ cos φ − φ̂φ sin φ )(r cos φ + r sin φ )

= r̂r cos φ (cos φ + sin φ ) − φ̂φr sin φ (cos φ + sin φ ),
p √
P1 = ( 12 + 22 , tan−1 (2/1), 3) = ( 5, 63.4◦ , 3),
√
A(P1 ) = (r̂ 0.447 − φ̂φ 0.894) 5 (.447 + .894) = r̂1.34 − φ̂φ 2.68.

(b)

B = (r̂ cos φ − φ̂φ sin φ )(r sin φ − r cos φ ) + (φ̂φ cos φ + r̂ sin φ )(r cos φ − r sin φ )
= r̂r(2 sin φ cos φ − 1) + φ̂φr(cos2 φ − sin2 φ ) = r̂r(sin 2φ − 1) + φ̂φr cos 2φ ,
p
P2 = ( 12 + 02 , tan−1 (0/1), 2) = (1, 0◦ , 2),
B(P2 ) = −r̂ + φ̂φ.

(c)

r2 sin2 φ r2 cos2 φ
C = (r̂ cos φ − φ̂φ sin φ ) − ( φ
φ̂ cos φ + r̂ sin φ ) + ẑ4
r2 r2
= r̂ sin φ cos φ (sin φ − cos φ ) − φ̂φ(sin3 φ + cos3 φ ) + ẑ4,
q √
P3 = ( 12 + (−1)2 , tan−1 (−1/1), 2) = ( 2, −45◦ , 2),
C(P3 ) = r̂0.707 + ẑ4.

(d)

D = (r̂ sin θ + ẑ cos θ ) sin θ + (r̂ cos θ − ẑ sin θ ) cos θ + φ̂φ cos2 φ = r̂ + φ̂φ cos2 φ ,
P4 = (2 sin (π /2), π /4, 2 cos (π /2)) = (2, 45◦ , 0),
D(P4 ) = r̂ + φ̂φ 12 .
 (e)

E = (r̂ sin θ + ẑ cos θ ) cos φ + (r̂ cos θ − ẑ sin θ ) sin φ + φ̂φ sin2 θ ,
³ π ´
P5 = 3, , π ,
³ 2π π´ ³ π π´ π
E(P5 ) = r̂ sin + ẑ cos cos π + r̂ cos − ẑ sin sin π + φ̂φ sin2 = −r̂ + φ̂φ.
2 2 2 2 2
Problem 3.35 Transform the following vectors into spherical coordinates and then
evaluate them at the indicated points:
(a) A = x̂y2 + ŷxz + ẑ4 at P1 = (1, −1, 2),
(b) B = ŷ(x2 + y2 + z2 ) − ẑ(x2 + y2 ) at P2 = (−1, 0, 2),
(c) C = r̂ cos φ − φ̂φ sin φ + ẑ cos φ sin φ at P3 = (2, π /4, 2), and
(d) D = x̂y2 /(x2 + y2 ) − ŷx2 /(x2 + y2 ) + ẑ4 at P4 = (1, −1, 2).
Solution: From Table 3-2:
(a)

A = (R̂ sin θ cos φ + θ̂θ cos θ cos φ − φ̂φ sin φ )(R sin θ sin φ )2
+ (R̂ sin θ sin φ + θ̂θ cos θ sin φ + φ̂φ cos φ )(R sin θ cos φ )(R cos θ )
+ (R̂ cos θ − θ̂θ sin θ )4
= R̂(R2 sin2 θ sin φ cos φ (sin θ sin φ + cos θ ) + 4 cos θ )
+ θ̂θ(R2 sin θ cos θ sin φ cos φ (sin θ sin φ + cos θ ) − 4 sin θ )
+ φ̂φR2 sin θ (cos θ cos2 φ − sin θ sin3 φ ),
µq µq ¶ ¶
2 2 2 −1 2 2 −1
P1 = 1 + (−1) + 2 , tan 1 + (−1) /2 , tan (−1/1)
√
= ( 6, 35.3◦ , −45◦ ),
A(P1 ) ≈ R̂2.856 − θ̂θ2.888 + φ̂φ2.123.

(b)

B = (R̂ sin θ sin φ + θ̂θ cos θ sin φ + φ̂φ cos φ )R2 − (R̂ cos θ − θ̂θ sin θ )R2 sin2 θ
= R̂R2 sin θ (sin φ − sin θ cos θ ) + θ̂θR2 (cos θ sin φ + sin3 θ ) + φ̂φR2 cos φ ,
µq µq ¶ ¶
2 2 2 −1 2 2 −1
P2 = (−1) + 0 + 2 , tan (−1) + 0 /2 , tan (0/(−1))
√
= ( 5, 26.6◦ , 180◦ ),
B(P2 ) ≈ −R̂0.896 + θ̂θ0.449 − φ̂φ5.

(c)

C = (R̂ sin θ + θ̂θ cos θ ) cos φ − φ̂φ sin φ + (R̂ cos θ − θ̂θ sin θ ) cos φ sin φ
= R̂ cos φ (sin θ + cos θ sin φ ) + θ̂θ cos φ (cos θ − sin θ sin φ ) − φ̂φ sin φ ,
³p ´ √
P3 = 22 + 22 , tan−1 (2/2), π /4 = (2 2, 45◦ , 45◦ ),
C(P3 ) ≈ R̂0.854 + θ̂θ0.146 − φ̂φ0.707.
 (d)

R2 sin2 θ sin2 φ
D = (R̂ sin θ cos φ + θ̂θ cos θ cos φ − φ̂φ sin φ )
R2 sin2 θ sin2 φ + R2 sin2 θ cos2 φ
R2 sin2 θ cos2 φ
− (R̂ sin θ sin φ + θ̂θ cos θ sin φ + φ̂φ cos φ ) 2 2
R sin θ sin2 φ + R2 sin2 θ cos2 φ
+ (R̂ cos θ − θ̂θ sin θ )4
= R̂(sin θ cos φ sin2 φ − sin θ sin φ cos2 φ + 4 cos θ )
+ θ̂θ(cos θ cos φ sin2 φ − cos θ sin φ cos2 φ − 4 sin θ )
− φ̂φ(cos3 φ + sin3 φ ),

h√ √ i
P4 (1, −1, 2) = P4 1 + 1 + 4, tan−1 ( 1 + 1/2), tan−1 (−1/1)
√
= P4 ( 6, 35.26◦ , −45◦ ),

D(P4 ) = R̂(sin 35.26◦ cos 45◦ sin2 45◦ − sin 35.26◦ sin(−45◦ ) cos2 45◦ + 4 cos 35.26◦ )
+ θ̂θ(cos 35.26◦ cos 45◦ sin2 45◦ − cos 35.26◦ sin(−45◦ ) cos2 45◦ − 4 sin 35.26◦ )
− φ̂φ(cos3 45◦ + sin3 45◦ )
= R̂ 3.67 − θ̂θ 1.73 − φ̂φ 0.707.