MATHEMATICS

II PUC
VECTOR ALGEBRA
QUESTIONS & ANSWER

I One Mark Question

1) Find the unit vector in the direction of 2i + 3j + k.

r
Let a = 2i + 3j + k
r
a = 2 2 + 32 + 12 = 4 + 9 + 1 = 14
r
rˆ a 2i + 3 j + k
\a = r =
a 14
r 2 3 1
\aˆ = i+ j+ k
14 14 14
r r r r r r
2) Let a = i + 2j & b = 2i + j. If a = b . Are the vectors a & b equal?

r r
a = a 2 + 22 = 5, b = 22 + a 2 = 5
r r
\a=b

But vectors are not equal since the corresponding components are distinct i.e. directions
are different.

3) Find the values of x & y so that vectors 2i+3j and xi+4j are equal.
r r
a = 2i + 3 j b = xi + yj
r r
Given a = b \2i + 3 j = xi + yi
\ x = 2, y = 3

4) Find the scalar or dot product of vectors i + 2j - 3k & 2i - j + k.

(i + 2j - 3k ) . (2i - j + k ) = 1(2 ) + 2(- 1) - 3(1) = 2 - 2 - 3 = -3

1
 i- j
5) Show that is a unit vector.
2
r i- j 1 1
a= = i- j
2 2 2
2 2
r æ 1 ö æ 1 ö 1 1
a= ç ÷ +ç- ÷ = + = 1
è 2ø è 2ø 2 2
r r
\ a =1 \ a is a unit vector.

II Two Marks Questions:

1) Find the vector parallel to the vector i - 2j and has magnitude 10 units.
r
Let a = i - 2 j
r
a = 12 + (- 2)
2

r
\a = 5
r
rˆ a i - 2 j
\a = r =
a 5

r r
Let b be the vectors parallel to a having magnitude 10 units
r
\ b = 10 Q If vectors are parallel then unit
r r r vector along & parallel vectors are
Now b = b aˆ
same
i-2j
=10 .
5
r 10i 20 j
\Reqd vector b = -
5 5
r
2) Find the direction ratios and direction cosines of the vector a = i + j - 2k .
r
a = i + j - 2k
r
a = 12 + 12 + (- 2 )
2

r
\a = 6
r
rˆ a i + j - 2k
a= r =
a 6
r 1 1 2
\aˆ = i+ j- k
6 6 6

2
 r
Here direction ratios are components of a i.e.(1, 1, - 2 )
r æ 1 1 -2 ö
direction cosines are components of â i.e. çç , , ÷÷
è 6 6 6 ø

3) Show the vectors 2i-3j+4k and -4i+6j-8k are collinear.

r
a = 2i - 3 j + 4k
r r
b = -4i + 6 j - 8k = - 2(2i - 3 j + 4k ) = -2a
\One vector can be expressed interms of another
r r
\a & b are collinear.
r r r r r r
4) Find x , if for a unit vector a, (x - a ) . (x + a ) = 12
r
Given a = 1
(xr - ar ) . (xr + ar ) = 12
r2 r2
x - a = 12
r2
x - 12 = 12
r2
x = 13
r
\ x = 13

r r r r r r r r
5) Find a - b , if two vectors a and b are such that a = 2, b = 3 and a .b = 4
r r r r
Given a = 2, b = 3 and a .b = 4
r r2 r2
( )
r r r2
w.k .t. a - b = a - 2 a . b + b
= 2 2 - 2(4 ) + 32 = 4 - 8 + 9
r r2
a -b = 5
r r
\ a -b = 5

3
 r r r r r r
6) For any two vectors a and b prove that a · b £ a · b
r r
a .b
w.k .t. cos q = r r
a b
r r
a. b
r r = cosq for all values of q , - 1 £ cosq £ 1
a b
\ cosq £ 1
r r
a. b
\ r r £1
a b
r r r r
\ a. b £ a b

r r r r r r
7) For any two vectors a and b prove that a + b £ a + b (Triangle in equality )
r r2 r
( )
r r r2
a + b = a 2 + 2 a. b + b
r r r r2 rr r r
£ a 2 + 2 a. b + b Qa.b £ a . b
r r r r2 r r r r
£ a 2+ 2 a b + b From previous properties a . b £ a b

{
r r 2
£ a+b }
r r r r
\ a +b £ a + b

( )(
r r r r
8) Evaluate 3a - 5b . 2a + 7b )
(r r r r
)( ) r r
( ) ( ) ( )
r r r r r r
3a - 5b . 2a + 7b = 6 a . a + 21 a . b - 10 b . a - 35 b . b
r
( ) ( )
r r r r r
= 6a 2 + 21 a . b - 10 a . b - 35b 2
r r r r
= 6a 2 + 11a . b - 35b 2
r2 r r r
= 6 a + 11a . b - 35b 2

r r r r r r
9) If a = i - 7j + 7k & b = 3i - 2j + 2k find a ´ b and a ´ b
i j k
r r
a´b = 1 - 7 7
3 -2 2
= i{- 7(2) - (- 2)(7 )}- j{2 - 21} + k {- 2 + 21}
= i (- 14 + 14) - j{- 19}+ k (19)
r r
\a ´ b = 19 j + 19k

4
 r
10) Find l & m if (2i + 6j + 27k )´ (i + lj + mk ) = o
r
Given (2i + 6j + 27k )´ (i + lj + mk ) = o
i j k
r
\ 2 6 27 = o
1 l m
r
i(6 m - 27l ) - j (2 m - 27 ) + k (2l - 6) = o
Equating cofficient s
6m - 27l = 0, 2 m - 27 = 0 2l - 6 = 0
27
\m = and l = 3
2
r r r r r r
11) Show that ( a - b ) ´ ( a + b ) = 2( a ´ b )
r r r r
Consider LHS ( a - b ) ´ ( a + b )
r r r r r r r r
= a ´ a + a ´b - b ´ a - b ´b
r r r r r r
= o + (a ´ b ) + ( a ´ b ) - o
r r r r r r
\ ( a - b ) ´ ( a + b ) = 2( a ´ b )

12) Find the scalar triple product of vectors i + 2j + 3k, - i - j + k and i + j + k

1 2 3
Scalar triple product = - 1 - 1 1
1 1 1
= 1 (- 1 - 1) - 2 (- 1 - 1) + 3(- 1 + 1)
=-2+4+0 = 2

13) Find l if the vectors i + j + 2k, l i - j + k & 3i - 2j - k are coplanar.

Given that vectors are coplanar
1 1 2
\ l -1 1 = 0
3 - 2 -1
= 1(1 + 2) - 1(- l - 3) + 2(- 2l + 3) = 0
= 3 + l + 3 - 4l + 6 = 0
= -3l + 12 = 0
\l = 4

5
III Three Marks Questions:

r r r r
1) Consider t he points P and Q with position v ectors OP = 3a - 2b and OQ = a + b .
Find the position vector of a point R which divides line joining
the points P and Q in the ratio 2 : 1 internally and externally respectively.

Solution
r r r r
given OP = 3a - 2b , OQ = a + b m : n = 2 :1

Internally,
mOQ + nOP
OR =
m+n

=
(
r r
) ( r
2 a + b + 1 3a - 2b
r
)
2 +1
r r
2a + 3a + 2b - 2b
=
2 +1
r
5a
OR =
3

mOQ - nOP
externally OR =
m-n

=
(
r r
) (r
2 a + b - 1 3a - 2b
r
)
2 -1
r r
2a - 3a + 2b + 2b
=
1
r r
OR = 4b - a

3) Find the vector joining the points P(2, 3, 0) and Q(- 1, - 2, 4) and also direction cosines of PQ

6
 Given P º (2, 3, 0) Q º (- 1, - 2, 4 )
Let i, j, k be unit vectors along axes
then OP = 2i + 3 j
OQ = -i - 2 j + 4k
PQ = OQ - OP
= -i - 2 j + 4k - (2i + 3 j )
= - i - 2i + 4 j - 2i - 3 j
\PQ = -3i - 5 j + 4k
PQ = (- 3)2 + (- 5)2 + (4 )2 = 9 + 25 + 16 = 50

\ PQ = 5 2

- 3i - 5 j + 4k
^
PQ
PQ = =
PQ 5 2

-3 5/
^
4
\PQ = i- j+ k
5 2 5/ 2 5 2
æ -3 1 4 ö
\ direction cosines are ç , , ÷
è5 2 2 5 2 ø

4) Show that points A(1, 2, 7) , B(2, 6,3) & C(3, 10, -1) are collinear OR

Show that the points with position vectors i+2j+7k, 2i+6j+3k and 3i+10j-k are
collinear.

OA = (1, 2, 7 ) OB = (2, 6, 3) OC = (3,10, - 1)

AB = OB - OA = (2 - 1, 6 - 2, 3 - 7 ) = (1, 4, - 4 )
BC = OC - OB = (3,10, - 1) - (2, 6, 3) = (1, 4, - 4 )
AC = OC - OA = (3,10, - 1) - (1, 2, 7 ) = (2, 8, - 8)
AB = 33 BC = 33 AC = 132

\ AC = 2 33

Here AB + BC = AC
\ Collinear condition is satisfied.
\A, B, C are collinear.

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5) Find the angle between the vectors i - 2j + 3k & 3i - 2j + k.
r r
Let a = i - 2j + 3k b = 3i - 2j + k
r r
a . b = (i - 2j + 3k ) . (3i - 2j + k ) = 3 + 4 + 3 = 10
r
a = 12 + (- 2 ) + 32 = 14
2

r
b = 32 + 22 + 12 = 14
r r
r r a.b 10 10
Let q be angle between a & b then cosq = r r = =
a b 14 14 14
5 7
cosq = q = cos-1
7 5

6) Show that the vectors

1
(2i + 3 j + 6k ), 1 (3i - 6 j + 2k ) and 1 (6i + 2 j + 3k )
7 7 7
are mutually perpendicu lar.
r 1
Let a = (2i + 3 j + 6k )
7
r 1
b = (3i - 6 j + 2k )
7
r 1
c = (6i + 2 j + 3k )
7
r r 1
consider a . b = (2i + 3 j + 6k ) . (3i - 6 j + 2k )
1
7 7
= {(2i + 3 j + 6k ) . (3i - 6 j + 2k )}
1
49
= {6 - 18 + 12} = {0}
1 1
49 49
r r r r
\a . b = 0 \ a is perpendicu lar to b
r r r r
/// ly We can show that b . c = 0 & c . a = 0
rr r
\ a, b, c are mutually perpendicular vectors.

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 r r r r r r
7) If a = 5i - j - 3k , b = i + 3 j - 5k then show that the vectors a + b & a - b are perpendicu lar.
r r
a + b = 5i - j - 3k + i + 3 j - 5k = 6i + 2 j - 8k
r r
a - b = 5i - j - 3k - (i + 3 j - 5k ) = 4i - 4 j + 2k
r r
(
) (
r r
)
consider a + b . a - b = (6i + 2 j - 8k ). (4i - 4 j + 2k ) = 24 - 8 - 16 = 0
(
r r
\ a+b . a-b =0
r r
) ( ) r r r r
\ a + b is perpendicu lar to a - b

r r r r r
8) If a = 2i + 2 j + 3k , b = -i + 2 j + k and c = 3i + j and such that a + lb is
r
perpendicu lar to c then find l .
r r
a + lb = 2i + 2 j + 3k + l (- i + 2 j + k )
r r
\ a + lb = (2 - l )i + (2 + 2l ) j + (3 + l )k
r r r
Given a + lb is ^ r c.
( )
r r r
a + lb . c = 0
{(2 - l )i + (2 + 2l ) j + (3 + l )k } . {3i + j} = 0
6 - 3l + 2 + 2l = 0 Þ -l + 8 = 0 \l = 8

r r r r r r r r r rr r r
9) If a , b , c are unit vectors such that a + b + c = o then find a . b + b . c + c . a
r r r
a = 1, b = 1, c = 1

(
r r r r rr
a . a + b + c = a. o )
r r r r r
a 2 + a .b + a . c = 0
r r rr r
a . b + a .c = - a 2
r r r r r
/// ly b . c + c . a = -b 2
r r r r r
c . a + a . b = -c 2
(
rr rr rr
)
r r r
Adding 2 a.b + b .c + c .a = - a 2 - b 2 - c 2 = -12 - 12 - 12
( r r r r r r
)
2 a . b + b . c + c . a = -3
rr rr rr
Q a.b + b .c + c .a = - 3 2

9
 r r r r
10) Find a vector and unit vector perpendicu lar to each of the vector a + b and a - b
r r
where a = 3i + 2j + 2k & b = i + 2j - 2k
r r
a + b = 3i + 2j + 2k + i + 2j - 2k
r r
\ a + b = 4i + 4 j
r r
a - b = 3i + 2j + 2k - i - 2j + 2k
r r
\ a - b = 2i + 4k

r
(
r r
) (r r
) (
r r r r r
) (
Let c be the vector perpendicu lar to a + b and a - b then c = a + b ´ a - b )
+ - +
i j k
r
c = 4 4 0 = i (16 - 0 ) - j (16 - 0 ) + k (0 - 8)
2 0 4
r
\ c = 16i - 16 j - 8k
r
c = 16 2 + 16 2 + (- 8) = 256 + 256 + 64 = 576 = 24
2

r
(
r r
)
r r
Let ĉ be the unit vector perpendicu lar to a + b and a - b
r
r c
then ĉ = r
c
r 16i -16j - 8k 2i 2 j k
ĉ = = - -
24 3 3 3

10
 r
11) If a unit vector a makes angles p 3 with i, p 4 with j and and acute angle
r
q with k then find q and hence components of a.
r
Let a , b , g be the angles made by a with i, j, k then
a = p 3 , b = p 4, g = q
r
Let a = a1i + a2 j + a3k
r
Given a = 1
a1
then cosa =
a1
a1
cos p 3 =
1
\a1 = 1 2
a
cos b = r2
a
a2
cos p 4 =
1
\a2 = 1 2
a
cos g = r3
a
cosq = a3
a3 = cosq
r 1 1
\a = i + j + cosq k
2 2
2 2
r æ1ö æ 1 ö
a = ç ÷ +ç ÷ + (cosq )
2

è2ø è 2 ø
1 1
1= + + cos 2 q
4 2
3
\1 = + cos 2 q
4
cos q = 1 4
2

cosq = ± 1 2
q = 600 or 1200
r 1 1 1 r 1 1 1
\a = i + j+ k or a = i+ j- k
2 2 2 2 2 2

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12) Find the area of triangle with vertices A(1, 1, 2), B(2, 3, 5), C (1, 5, 5)
A º (1, 1, 2) OA = i + j + 2k
B º (2, 3, 5) OB = 2i + 3 j + 5k
C º (1, 5, 5) OC = i + 5 j + 5k
AB = OB - OA
= 2i + 3 j + 5k - i - j - 2k
AB = i + 2 j + 3k
AC = OC - OA
= i + 5 j + 5k - i - j - 2k
AC = 4 j + 3k

i j k
AB ´ AC = 1 2 3
0 4 3
= i(6 - 12 ) - j (3 - 0) + k (4 - 0) = -6i - 3 j + 4k
AB ´ AC = (- 6 )2 + (- 3)2 + 4 2 = 36 + 9 + 16 = 51
1 1
Area of triangle ABC = AB ´ AC = 51 sq units
2 2

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13) Find the area of parallelog ram whose adjecent sides are 2i - 4j + 5k and
i - 2j - 3k. Also find unit vector parallel to its diagonal.
r r
a = 2i - 4j + 5k b = i - 2j - 3k
i j k
r r
a´b = 2 -4 5 = i{12 + 10} - j{- 6 - 5}+ k {- 4 + 4 } = 22i + 11 j
1 -2 -3
r r
a´b = (22)2 + (11)2 + 0 =
242 + 121 + 0 = 363
r r
Area of parallelog ram ABCD = a ´ b = 363 sq.units
r r
Diagonal AC = a + b
= 2i - 4j + 5k + i - 2j - 3k
AC = 3i - 6 j + 2k
AC = 32 + (- 6 ) + 2 2 = 9 + 36 + 4 = 49 = 7
2

3i - 6 j + 2k
^
AC
Unit vector along AC, AC = =
AC 7

3i - 6 j + 2k
Unit vector parallel to AC = Unit vector along AC =
7

r r
14) Show that the points A, B, C with position v ectors a = 3i - 4j - 4k, b = 2i - j + k
r
& c = i - 3j - 5k respectively form the vertices of a right angled triangle.

Given A º (3, - 4, - 4) B º (2, - 1,1) C º (1, - 3, - 5)

Given OA = 3i - 4 j - 4k

13
OB = 2i - j + k
OC = i - 3 j - 5k
AB = OB - OA
= 2i - j + k - 3i + 4 j + 4k
\ AB = -i + 3 j + 5k
BC = OC - OB
= i - 3 j - 5k - 2i + j - k
\BC = -i - 2 j - 6k
CA = OA - OC
= 3i - 4 j - 4k - i + 3 j + 5k = 2i - j + k
AB + BC + CA = -i + 3 j + 5k - i - 2 j - 6k + 2i - j + k
r
\ AB + BC + CA = O
\Dle law is satisfied
r r r
\ a , b , c form a Dle

(- 1)2 + 32 + 5 2
2
AB = = 35 AB = 35

(- 1)2 + (2)2 + 6 2
2
BC = = 41 BC = 41

CA = 2 2 + (- 1) + (- 1) = 6
2
CA = 6
2 2

2 2 2
We can see that AB + AC = 35 + 6 = 41 = BC
2 2 2
\ AB + AC = BC
\Pythagrous theorem is satified.
r r r
i.e. a, b, c form a right angled triangle

14
 [
r r r r r r
] [ ] rrr
14 ) Prove that a + b , b + c , c + a = 2 a b c
r r
( ) {( ) }
r r r r
LHS = a + b . b + c ´ (c + a )
( ){
r r r r r r r r r r
}
= a + b . b´c + b´a +c´c + c´a
( ){
r r r r r r r r
= a + b . b´c- a´b+ c´a }
r r r
( ) ( )
r r r
( ) ( )
r r r r r r r r r r r r
= a . b ´ c - a . a ´ b + a .(c ´ a ) + b b ´ c - b a ´ b + b .(c ´ a )
r r r
( ) r r r
= a . b ´ c - 0 + 0 + 0 - 0 + b .(c ´ a )
r r r
( ) ( ) ( ) [ ]
r r r r r r r r r
= a. b ´ c + a b ´ c = 2a. b ´ c = 2 a , b , c

14) Show that the vectors 4i - j + k, 3i - 2j - k and i + j + 2k are coplanar

r
Let a = 4i - j + k
r
b = 3i - 2j - k
r
c = i + j + 2k
4 -1 1
r r r
( )
consider a. b ´ c = 3 - 2 - 1
1 1 2
= 4{- 4 + 1} + 1{ 6 + 1 }+ 1{3 + 2}
= -12 + 7 + 5
( )
r r r
\a. b ´ c = 0
\vectors are coplanar

Scalar Triple Product of vectors

r r r r r r
( r r r
) (
If a, b, c are non zero vectors then a. b ´ c or a ´ b .c )
is called scalar triple product of vectors.
r r r r r r
[
r r r
The scalar triple product of a, b, c is denoted by a b c or a, b, c ] [ ]
a1 a2 a3
r r r
(
Then a. b ´ c = b1 ) b2 b3
c1 c2 c3
since scalar triple product is a determinen t , all determinen t
properties are satisfied.

Properties

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 ( )
r r r
1) a. b ´ c is a scalar.
( )
r r r r r r r r r
(
2) a. b ´ c = b.(c ´ a ) = c . a ´ b )
[ ][ ] [
rrr r r r
abc = b c a = c ab ]
rrr

( )
r r r
3) a. a ´ b = 0 , ( r r r
)
a. b ´ b = 0
[ ]
rr r
aa b = 0 [ r r r
]
a b b =0
( ) (
r r r
)
r r r
4 ) a. b ´ c = - a . c ´ b
[ ] [ ]
rrr rr r
a b c = - a c b etc.
5) Dot and cross can be interchanged
(
r r r
) ( )
r r r
a. b ´ c = a ´ b . c
( )
r r r r r r
b ´ c . a = b . (c . a ) etc.

Coplanar vector:

The vectors are said to be coplanar if they lie on same plane

or parallel planes.

r r r
The condition for the vectors to be coplanar is a. b ´ c = 0 ( )

Problems:

1) Find the scalar triple product of vectors i + 2j + 3k, - i - j + k and i + j + k

1 2 3
Scalar triple product = - 1 - 1 1
1 1 1
= 1 (- 1 - 1) - 2 (- 1 - 1) + 3(- 1 + 1)
=- 2+ 4+0 = 2

16
 [
r r r r r r rrr
2) Prove that a + b, b + c, c + a = 2 a b c ] [ ]
( ) {( )
r r
}
r r r r
LHS = a + b . b + c ´ (c + a )
( ){ }
r r r r r r r r r r
= a + b . b´ c + b´a + c ´ c + c ´a
( ){ }
r r r r r r r r
= a + b . b´ c - a ´ b + c´a
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
r r r r r r r r r rr r rr r r r r
= a. b ´ c - a. a ´ b + a.(c ´ a ) + b b ´ c - b a ´ b + b.(c ´ a )
( )
r r r r r r
= a. b ´ c - 0 + 0 + 0 - 0 + b.(c ´ a )
( ) ( ) ( ) [ ]
r r r rr r r r r r r r
= a. b ´ c + a b ´ c = 2a. b ´ c = 2 a, b , c

3 ) Show that the vectors 4i - j + k, 3i - 2j - k

and i + j + 2k are coplanar
r
Let a = 4i - j + k
r
b = 3i - 2j - k
r
c = i + j + 2k

4 -1 1
( )
r r r
consider a . b ´ c = 3 -2 -1
1 1 2
= 4{- 4 + 1} + 1{ 6 + 1 }+ 1{3 + 2}
= - 12 + 7 + 5
(
r r r
)
\ a. b ´ c = 0
\ vectors are coplanar

4 ) Find l if the vectors i + j + 2k, l i - j + k & 3i - 2j - k are coplanar.

17
Given that vectors are coplanar
1 1 2
\ l -1 1 =0
3 - 2 -1
= 1(1 + 2 ) - 1(- l - 3) + 2(- 2l + 3) = 0
= 3 + l + 3 - 4l + 6 = 0
= -3l + 12 = 0
\l = 4

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