Vector Algebra

DPP 1
 ➝ ➝ ➝
If ➝
a, ➝
b, ➝ ➝+ b
c are vectors show that a ➝+ ➝
c = 0 and |a| = 7, |b| = 5, |c| = 3 then
➝ ➝
angle between vector b and c is
A. 60° B. 30°
[2002]
C. 45° D. 90°
The values of a, for which the point A, B, C with position vectors 2î - ĵ + k̂,
î - 3ĵ + 5k̂ and aî - 3ĵ + k̂ respectively are the vertices of a right angled
triangle with C = 𝝿/2, is

A. 2, 1 B. -2, -1 [2006]

C. -2, 1 D. 2, -1
 ➝+ q;
If the vectors 3p ➝ 5p
➝- 3q➝and 2p ➝+ ➝ ➝- 2q
q; 4p ➝are pairs of mutually
➝ ➝
perpendicular vectors then sin(p ^ q) is

A. √55/4 B. √55/8
C. 3/16 D. √247/16
 ^ b
If a, ^ + c^ = ➝
^ and c^ are unit vectors satisfying a^ - √3 b 0, then the angle
between the vectors a^ and c^ is
A. 𝝿/6 B. 𝝿/4
C. 𝝿/3 D. 𝝿/2
 ➝ ➝
If a = (x2 + 3)î - 3y2 ĵ + k̂ and b = î - 3ĵ - 4xk̂ be perpendicular vectors for
x, y ∈ R, then the range of values of x and y will be respectively
A. [1, 3]; [-⅓, ⅓] B. [-⅓, 1]; [-⅓, ⅓]
C. [0, 1]; [-⅓, 1] D. [0, 1]; [⅓, 1]
 ➝➝
If a, b and c are unit vectors, then
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
|a - b|2 + |b - c|2 + |c - a|2 does not exceed

A. 4 B. 9
[2001S]
C. 8 D. 6
 ➝➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Two vectors p, q on a plane satisfy |p + q| = √13, |p - q| = 1 and |p| = √3. The
angle between ➝p and ➝
q, is equal to
A. 𝝿/6 B. 𝝿/4
C. 𝝿/3 D. 𝝿/2
Let ➝
a, ➝
b, ➝
c be three vectors such that ➝a.➝a=b ➝. ➝
b =➝
c.➝
c = 3 and
➝ ➝ ➝2 ➝ ➝ ➝2 ➝ ➝ ➝2
|a + b -c| + |b + c - a| + |c + a - b| = 36, then
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
A. a . b + b . c + c . a = -9/2
➝➝ ➝
B. a, b, c are coplanar vectors
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
C. a⨉b=b⨉c=c⨉a≠0
➝➝ ➝
D. a, b, c represent the sides of triangle
Let P, Q, R and S be the points on the plane with position vectors -2î - ĵ, 4î
3î + 3ĵ and -3î + 2ĵ respectively. The quadrilateral PQRS must be a

A. Parallelogram, which is neither a rhombus nor a rectangle

[2010]
B. Square
C. Rectangle, but not a square

D. Rhombus, but not a square

Vector Algebra

DPP 2
Let P, Q, R and S be the points on the plane with position vectors -2î - ĵ, 4î
3î + 3ĵ and -3î + 2ĵ respectively. The quadrilateral PQRS must be a

A. Parallelogram, which is neither a rhombus nor a rectangle

[2010]
B. Square
C. Rectangle, but not a square

D. Rhombus, but not a square

Paragraph Question - 1
On the xy plane O is the origin, given points A(1, 0), B(0, 1) and C(1, 1). Let P,
Q, R be moving points on the line OA, OB, OC respectively such that
➝ ➝ OQ
OP = 45t(OA), ➝ = 60t(OB),
➝ OR ➝ = (1 - t)(OC)
➝ with t > 0.
➝
If f(t) = |PQ| then the differential coefficients of f(t) when t = 1 is equal to
A. 45 B. 60
C. 75 D. 100
Paragraph Question - 1
On the xy plane O is the origin, given points A(1, 0), B(0, 1) and C(1, 1). Let P,
Q, R be moving points on the line OA, OB, OC respectively such that
➝ ➝ OQ
OP = 45t(OA), ➝ = 60t(OB),
➝ OR ➝ = (1 - t)(OC)
➝ with t > 0.
If the three points P, Q and R are collinear then the value of t is equal to
A. 1/106 B. 7/187
C. 1/100 D. 2/105
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Let p = 2î - ĵ + k̂, q = î + 2ĵ - k̂ and r = î + ĵ - 2k̂. If V = p + 𝝺q and projection
➝ ➝
of V on r is 4/√6, then 𝝺 equals
A. 1 B. 1/5
C. 3/5 D. 2/5
Let O be the origin and let PQR be an arbitrary triangle. The point S is such
that OP.OQ + OR.OS = OR.OP + OQ.OS = OQ.OR + OP.OS Then the triangle
PQR has S as its
A. Centroid B. Circumcentre
[JEE Adv. 2017]

C. Incentre D. Orthocentre
Suppose that ➝ p, ➝
q and ➝
r are three non-coplanar vectors in R3. Let the
components of a vector ➝ ➝➝
s along p, q and ➝
r be 4, 3 and 5, respectively. If the
components of this vector ➝ s along (-p + q +➝
➝ ➝ ➝- ➝
r), (p q +➝ ➝ -➝
r) and (-p q +➝ r)
are x, y and z, respectively, then the value of 2x + y + z is

[JEE Adv. 2015]

Which of the following statement(s) is(are) correct?

A. ➝⨉ w|
|v ➝ = 0 for all vectors w, if v➝= 0.
➝
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
B. If a + b + √3 c is a null vector where a and b are unit vectors such that
angle between a and➝b is 𝝿/3, ➝ then the magnitude of c is 1➝

C. ➝+ ➝
If (u ➝- ➝
v) . (u v) = 0, then ➝
u=➝ v
D. If ➝
a and ➝
b are two unit vectors then the maximum value of |2a➝+ b|
➝ is
equal to 3
Let u, v, w be such that |u| = 1, |v| = 2, |w| = 3. If the projection v along u is
equal to that of w along u and v, w are perpendicular to each other then
|u - v + w| equals
A. 14 B. √7
[2004]

C. √14 D. 2
Vector Algebra Cross Product - PYQs

DPP 3
 ➝➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Let a, b, c be unit vectors such that a + b + c = 0. Which one of the
following is correct?
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
A. a ⨉ b=b⨉c=c⨉a=0
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ [2007]
B. a ⨉ b=b⨉c=c⨉a≠0
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
C. a ⨉ b=b⨉c=a⨉c≠0
➝ ➝➝ ➝➝ ➝
D. a ⨉ b, b ⨉ c, c ⨉ a are mutually perpendicular
 ➝➝ ➝
If the vectors a, b and c from the sides BC, CA and AB respectively of a
triangle ABC, then
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
A. a . b + b . c + c . a = 0
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ [2000]
B. a ⨉ b = b ⨉ c = c ⨉ a
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
C. a . b = b . c = c . a
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
D. a ⨉ b + b ⨉ c + c ⨉ a = 0
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
If a and b are vectors such that |a + b| = √29 and
➝ ➝
a ⨉ (2î + 3ĵ + 4k̂) = (2î + 3ĵ + 4k̂) ⨉ b, then a possible value of
➝ ➝
(a + b).(-7î + 2ĵ + 3k̂) is

A. 0 B. 3 C. 4 D. 8

[JEE Adv. 2012]

Multi Correct Question
^ = u^i + u ^j + u ^k be a unit vector in R3 and w
Let u ^ = 1/√6(i^ + ^j + 2k).
^ Given
1 2 3
there exists a vector ➝ ^ ^⨉ v)➝= 1. Which of
➝= 1 and w.(u
v in R3 such that |u^ ⨉ v|
the following statement(s) is(are) correct?

A. There is exactly one choice for such ➝

v
B. There are infinitely many many choices for such ➝
v
[JEE Adv. 2016]
^
C. If u lies in the xy-plane then |u1| = |u2|
^
D. If u lies in the xz-plane then 2|u1| = |u3|
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Let 𝝰 = 3î + ĵ and 𝛃 =2î - ĵ + 3k̂. If 𝛃 = 𝛃1 - 𝛃2, where 𝛃1 is parallel to 𝝰 and 𝛃2
➝ ➝
is perpendicular to 𝝰, then 𝛃1 ⨉ 𝛃2 is equal to

A. -3î + 9ĵ + 5k̂ B. 3î - 9ĵ - 5k̂ C. ½(-3î + 9ĵ + 5k̂) D. ½(3î - 9ĵ + 5k̂)

[JEE M 2019]
 ➝
For any vector a, the value of (a ⨉ î)2 + (a ⨉ ĵ)2 + (a ⨉ k̂)2 is equal to

A. 3a2 B. a2 C. 2a2 D. 4a2

[2005]
 ➝ ➝ ➝
Let u = î + ĵ, v = î - ĵ and w = î + 2ĵ + 3k̂. If n^ is a unit vector such that
➝ ^ = 0 and ➝
u.n ➝ ^ is equal to
^ = 0 then |w.n|
v.n

A. 3 B. 0 C. 1 D. 2

[2003]
Vector Algebra Box Product - PYQs

DPP 4
 ➝ ➝ ➝
Let u = î + ĵ, v = î - ĵ and w = î + 2ĵ + 3k̂. If n^ is a unit vector such that
➝ ^ = 0 and ➝
u.n ➝ ^ is equal to
^ = 0 then |w.n|
v.n

A. 3 B. 0 C. 1 D. 2

[2003]
 ➝➝ ➝
Let a, b and c be three non-coplanar unit vectors such that the angle
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
between every pair of them is 𝝿/3. If a ⨉ b + b ⨉ c = pa + qb + rc,

where p, q and r are scalars, then the value of is

[JEE Adv. 2014]

Let ➝
a = î + ĵ + k̂, b = î - ĵ + 2k̂ and ➝
c = xî + (x - 2)ĵ - k̂. If the vectors ➝
c lies in
➝ ➝
the plane of a and b, then x equals
A. -4 B. -2 C. 0 D. 1

[2007]
 ➝ ➝ ➝➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Let a = i - k, b = xi + j + (1 - x)k and c = yi + xj + (1 + x - y)k. Then [a b c]
depends on
A. Only x B. Only y C. Neither x nor y D. Both x and y

[2005]
 ➝ ➝ ➝
If u, v and w are three non-coplanar vectors, then
equals

A. ➝. ➝
3u ➝
v⨉w B. 0 C. ➝
u .➝ ➝
v⨉w D. ➝
u .➝
w ⨉ v➝

[2003]
 ➝➝ ➝
If a, b, and c are unit coplanar vectors, then the scalar triple product
[2a➝- b,
➝ 2b➝- ➝ ➝- ➝
c, 2c a] =

A. 0 B. 1 C. -√3 D. √3

[2000]
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Let V = 2i + j - k and W = i + 3k. If U is a unit vector, then the maximum
➝➝ ➝
value of the scalar triple product |U V W| is
A. -1 B. √10 + √6 C. √59 D. √60

[2002]
The value of ‘a’ so that the volume of parallelepiped formed by î + aĵ + k̂,
ĵ + ak̂ and aî + k̂ becomes minimum is
A. -3 B. 3 C. 1√3 D. √3

[2003]
Vector Algebra Box Product - PYQs

DPP 5
Let a, b and c be distinct non-negative numbers. If the vectors aî + aĵ + ck̂,
î + k̂ and cî + cĵ + bk̂ lie in a plane then c is

A. The geometric mean of a and b

B. The arithmetic mean of a and b [2005]

C. Equal to zero

D. The harmonic mean of a and b

The edges of a parallelepiped are of unit length and are parallel to
^ b,
non-coplanar unit vectors a, ^ c^ such that a.b
^ ^ = b.c
^ ^ = c.a
^ ^ = ½. Then, the
volume of the parallelepiped is

A. B. C. D.

[JEE Adv. 2008]

If a, b, c are non coplanar vectors and 𝝺 is areal number then
[𝝺(a + b) 𝝺2b 𝝺c] = [a b + c b] for

A. Exactly one value of 𝝺

B. No value of 𝝺 [2005]

C. Exactly three values of 𝝺

D. Exactly two values of 𝝺

 ➝➝ ➝
If a, b and c are three non coplanar vectors, then
➝+ ➝
(a b+➝ ➝+ ➝
c) . [(a b) ⨉ (a➝+ c)]
➝ equals

A. 0 B. ➝b
[a ➝➝
c] C. ➝➝➝
2[a b c] D. ➝ ➝➝
-[a b c]

[1995]
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝➝➝
If [a ⨉ b b ⨉ c c ⨉ a] = 𝝺 [a b c]2 then 𝝺 is equal to

A. 0 B. 1 C. 2 D. 3

[JEE M 2014]
Match List - I with List - II

List - I List - II
➝➝ ➝
P. Volume of parallelepiped determined by vectors a, b and c is 2. 1. 100
Then the volume of the parallelepiped determined by vectors
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
2(a ⨉ b), 3(b ⨉ c) and (c ⨉ a) is
➝➝ ➝
Q. Volume of parallelepiped determined by vectors a, b and c is 5. 2. 30
Then the volume of the parallelepiped determined by vectors
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
3(a + b), (b + c) and 2(c + a) is
➝
R. Area of triangle with adjacent sides determined by vectors a 3. 24
➝
and b is 20. Then the area of the triangle with adjacent sides
➝ ➝ ➝- ➝
determined by vectors (2a + 3b) and (a b) is

S. Area of parallelogram with adjacent sides determined by 4. 60

vectors ➝
a and ➝b is 30. Then the area of the parallelogram with
adjacent sides determined by vectors (a ➝+ b)➝ and a➝is
[JEE Adv. 2013]
Let the vectors PQ, QR, RS, ST, TU and UP represent the sides of a regular
hexagon.

Statement : PQ ⨉(RS + ST) ≠ 0. Because

Statement : PQ ⨉ RS = 0 and PQ ⨉ ST ≠ 0
[2007]
A. Statement-1 is True, statement-2 is True, Statement-2 is a
correct explanation for statements-1

B. Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True, Statement-2 is NOT a

correct explanation for statement-2

C. Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is False

D. Statement-1 is False, Statement-2 is True

 ➝ ➝ ➝➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝➝➝
Let a = i - k, b = xi + j + (1 - x)k and c = yi + xj + (1 + x - y)k. Then [a b c]
depends on
A. Only x B. Only y C. Neither x nor y D. Both x and y

[2001]
Vector Algebra Vector Triple Product - PYQs

DPP 6
 Multi Correct Question
➝➝ ➝
Let x, y and z be three vectors each of magnitude √2 and the angle between
each pair of them is 𝝿/3. If ➝
a is a non zero vector perpendicular to x➝and
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
y ⨉ z and b is a non-zero vector perpendicular to y and z ⨉ x, then
➝ ➝ ➝➝ ➝
A. b = (b . z)(z - x)
➝ ➝ ➝➝ ➝
B. a = (a . y)(y - z)
[JEE Adv. 2014]
➝ ➝ ➝➝➝ ➝
C. a . b = -(a . y)(b . z)
➝ ➝ ➝➝ ➝
D. a = (a . y)(z - y)
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Let a = ĵ - k̂ and c = î - ĵ - k̂. Then the vector b satisfying a ⨉ b + c = 0 and
➝➝
a.b = 3

A. 2î - ĵ + 2k̂ B. î - ĵ - 2k̂ C. î + ĵ - 2k̂ D. -î + ĵ - 2k̂

[2010]
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Let a = -i- k̂, b = -î + ĵ and c = î + 2ĵ + 3k̂ be three given vectors. If r is a
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝➝ ➝ ➝
vector such that r ⨉ b = c ⨉ b and r . a = 0, then the value of r . b is

[2011]
Let a, b and c be non-zero vectors such that (a ⨉ b) ⨉ c = ⅓ |b||c|a. If θ is
the acute angle between the vectors b and c, then sin θ equals

A. 2√2 / 3 B. √2 / 3 C. 2/3 D. 1/3

[JEE Adv. 2004]

 ➝➝ ➝
Let a, b and c be three non-zero vectors such that no two of them are
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝➝ ➝
collinear and (a ⨉ b) ⨉ c = ⅓ |b||c|a. If θ is the angle between vectors b and
➝
c, then a value of sin θ is

A. 2/3 B. -2√3/3 C. 2√2/3 D. -√2/3

[JEE M 2015]
If (a ⨉ b) ⨉ c = a ⨉ (b ⨉ c) where a, b and c are any three vectors such that a .
b ≠ 0, b . c ≠ 0 then a and c are

A. Inclined at an angle of 𝝿/3 between them

B. Inclined at an angle of 𝝿/6 between them [2006]

C. Perpendicular

D. Parallel
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
Let |a| = √3, |b| = 1, |c| = 2 and a ⨉ (a ⨉ c) + 3b = 0, then |a ⨉ c|2 equals

A. 2 B. 3 C. 1/2 D. 3/4
 ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
If u and v are two non-collinear unit vectors such that |u ⨉ v| = ,
➝ ➝ ➝
then the value of |u ⨉ (u ⨉ v)|2 is equal to

A. 1/4 B. 1/2 C. 2/3 D. 3/4

Let a = 2i + j - 2k and b = i + j. If c is a vector such that a. c = |c|,
|c - a| = 2√2 and the angle between (a ⨉ b) and c is 30°, then |(a ⨉ b) ⨉ c| =

A. 2/3 B. 3/2 C. 2 D. 3

[1999]
Let ➝a = 2î + ĵ - 2k̂ and ➝
b = î + ĵ. Let ➝ ➝- ➝
c be a vector such that |c a| = 3,
|(a ⨉ b) ⨉ c| = 3 and the angle between c and a ⨉ b is 30°, then a➝
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ . c➝
is equal
to
A. 1/8 B. 25/8 C. 2 D. 5

[JEE M 2017]
 ➝➝ ➝
Let a, b and c be three unit vectors such that

➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
If b is not parallel to c, then the angle between a and b is

A. 2𝝿/3 B. 5𝝿/6 C. 3𝝿/4 D. 𝝿/2

[JEE M 2016]
If a and b are vectors in space given by

And , then find the value of (2a + b).[(a ⨉ b) ⨉ (a - 2b)].

[2010]
 ➝= 1/√10(3î + k̂) and b
If a ➝= 1/7(2î + 3ĵ - 6k̂), then the value of
➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝ ➝
(2a - b)[(a ⨉ b) ⨉ (a + 2b)] is

A. -3 B. 5 C. 3 D. -5

[2011]