NCERT Solutions for Class 12

Maths
Chapter 10 – Vector Algebra

Exercise 10.1

1. Represent graphically a displacement of 40 km,30 east of north.

Ans:

Here, vector OP is representing the displacement of 40 km,30 in East of North

direction.

2. Classify the following measures as scalars and vectors.

(i) 10 kg (ii) 2 meters north-west (iii) 40 (iv) 40 watt (v) 1019 coulomb (vi)
20 m/s2

Ans: (i) 10 kg is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude not direction.

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(ii) 2 meters north-west is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude as well
as direction.

(iii) 40 is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude not direction.

(iv) 40 watts is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude not direction.

(v) 1019 Coulomb is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude not direction.

(vi) 20 m/s2 is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude as well as direction.

3. Classify the following as scalar and vector quantities:-

(i) Time period (ii) distance (iii) force (iv) velocity (v) work done

Ans: 3
(i) Time period is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude.
(ii) Distance is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude.
(iii) Force is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude as well as
direction.
(iv) Velocity is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude as well as
direction.
(v) Work done is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude.

4. In Figure, identify the following vectors.

(i) Co-initial (ii) Equal (iii) Collinear but not equal

Ans:

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(i) Vectors a and d are co-initial.

(ii) Vectors b and d are equal.

(iii) Vectors a and c are collinear but not equal.

5. Answer the following as true or false.

(i) a and a and are collinear.

(ii) Two collinear vectors are always equal in magnitude.

(iii) Two vectors having same magnitude are collinear.

(iv) Two collinear vectors having the same magnitude are equal.
Ans: (i) True

(ii) False
(iii) False

(iv) False

Exercise 10.2

1. Compute the magnitude of the following vectors:-

1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ
a  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ ; b  2iˆ  7 ˆj  3kˆ ; c  i j k
3 3 3

Ans:

| a | (1)2  (1)2  (1)2  3

| b | (2)2  (7)2  (3) 2

 4  49  9

 62

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 2 2 2
 1   1   1 
| c |      
 3  3  3

1 1 1
   1
3 3 3

2. Write two different vectors having same magnitude.

Ans:

a  (iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ) and b  (2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ) .

| a | 12  (2)2  32  1  4  9  14

| b | 22  12  (3)2  4  1  9  14

But a  b

3. Write two different vectors having same direction.

Ans: p  (iˆ  ˆj  kˆ) and q  (2iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ) .

The Direction Cosines of p are

1 1 1 1 1 1
a  ,b   ,c  
12  12  12 3 12  12  12 3 12  12  12 3

The Direction Cosines of q are

2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1
a   ,b    ,c   
22  22  22 2 3 22  22  22 2 3
3 3 22  22  22 2 3 3
The Direction Cosines of p and q are equal but p  q .

4. Find the values of x and y so that the vectors 2iˆ  3 ˆj and xiˆ  yjˆ are equal.

Ans: 2iˆ  3 ˆj  xiˆ  yjˆ  x  2, y  3

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5. Find the scalar and vector components of the vector with initial point (2,1)
and terminal point (5, 7) .

Ans: Let the points be P(2,1) and Q(5,7)

PQ  (5  2)iˆ  (7  1) ˆj

 PQ  7iˆ  6 ˆj

So, scalar components of required vector are 7 and 6 and the vector components
are 7iˆ and 6 ˆj .

6. Find the sum of the vectors a  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , b  2iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ and c  iˆ  6 ˆj  7kˆ .

Ans: a  b  c  (1  2  1)iˆ  (2  4  6) ˆj  (1  5  7)kˆ  0iˆ  4 ˆj  1kˆ   4 ˆj  kˆ

7. Find the unit vector in the direction of the vector a  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ .

Ans: | a | 12  12  22  1  1  4  6

a iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ 2 ˆ
 aˆ    i j k
|a| 6 6 6 6

8. Find the unit vector in the direction of vector PQ , where P and Q are the
points (1, 2,3) and (4,5,6) , respectively.

Ans: PQ  (4  1)iˆ  (5  2) ˆj  (6  3)k  3iˆ  3 ˆj  3k

| PQ | 32  32  32  9  9  9  27  3 3

PQ 3iˆ  3 ˆj  3kˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ
So, unit vector    i j k
| PQ | 3 3 3 3 3

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9. For given vectors, a  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ and b  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , find the unit vector in the
direction of the vector a  b .

Ans: a  b  (2  1)iˆ  (1  1) ˆj  (2  1)kˆ  1iˆ  0 ˆj  1kˆ  iˆ  kˆ

| a  b | 12  12  2

(a  b ) iˆ  kˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ
So, unit vector    i k
|a b | 2 2 2

10. Find a vector in the direction of vector 5iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ which has magnitude 8
units.

Ans: a  5iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

| a | 52  (1)2  22  25  1  4  30

a 5iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ
 aˆ  
|a| 30

So, a vector in direction of 5iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ with magnitude 8 units is:

 5iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ  40 8 ˆ 16 ˆ
8aˆ  8    iˆ  j k

 30  30 30 30

11. Show that the vectors 2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ and 4iˆ  6 ˆj  8kˆ are collinear.

Ans: a  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ and b  4iˆ  6 ˆj  8kˆ

b  4iˆ  6 ˆj  8kˆ  2(2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ)  2a

 b   a,   2

So, the given vectors are collinear.

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12. Find the direction cosines of the vector iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ .

Ans: a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ .

| a | 12  22  32  1  4  9  14

 1 2 3 
So, the Direction cosines of a are  , , 
 14 14 14 

13. Find the direction cosines of the vector joining the points A(1, 2, 3) and
B(1, 2,1) directed from A to B.

Ans: AB  (1  1)iˆ  (2  2) ˆj  {1  (3)}kˆ

 AB  2iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ

| AB | (2)2  (4)2  42  4  16  16  36  6

So, the Direction cosines of AB are   ,  ,     ,  , 

2 4 4 1 2 2
 6 6 6  3 3 3

14. Show that the vector iˆ  ˆj  kˆ is equally inclined to the axes OX, OY and
OZ .

Ans: a  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

| a | 12  12  12  3

 1 1 1 
So, the Direction Cosines of a are  , , 
 3 3 3

1 1 1
cos   , cos   , cos  
3 3 3

So, the vector is equally inclined to OX, OY, and OZ .

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15. Find the position vector of a point R which divides the line joining two
points P and Q whose position vectors are iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and iˆ  ˆj  kˆ respectively,
in the ratio 2 : 1 ,
(i) Internally

(ii) Externally.

Ans: OP  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and OQ  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

(i) The position vector of R is

2(iˆ  ˆj  kˆ)  1(iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ ) (2iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ )  (iˆ  2 jˆ  kˆ )
OR  
2 1 3

 iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ 1 4 1
   iˆ  ˆj  kˆ
3 3 3 3

(ii) The position vector of R is

2(iˆ  ˆj  kˆ)  1(iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ)
OR   (2iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ)  (iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ)
2 1

 3iˆ  3kˆ

16. Find the position vector of the mid point of the vector joining the points
P(2,3,4) and Q(4,1,-2).
Ans: The position vector of R is

(2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ)  (4iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ) (2  4)iˆ  (3  1) ˆj  (4  2)kˆ

OR  
2 2

6iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ
  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ
2

17. Show that the points A, B and C with position vectors,

a  3iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ , b  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ and c  iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ , respectively form the vertices of a
right angled triangle.

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Ans:

AB  b  a  (2  3)iˆ  (1  4) ˆj  (1  4)kˆ  iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ

BC  c  b  (1  2)iˆ  (3  1) ˆj  (5  1)kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

CA  a  c  (3  1)iˆ  (4  3) ˆj  (4  5)kˆ  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

| AB |2  (1)2  32  52  1  9  25  35

| BC |2  (1)2  (2)2  (6)2  1  4  36  41

| CA |2  22  (1)2  12  4  1  1  6

| AB |2  | CA |2  35  6  41 | BC |2

So, ABC is a right angled triangle.

18. In triangle ABC, which of the following is not true?

A. AB  BC  CA  0

B. AB  BC  AC  0

C. AB  BC  CA  0

D. AB  CB  CA  0

Ans:

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AB  BC  AC

 AB  BC  CA

 AB  BC  CA  0

AB  BC  AC

 AB  BC  AC  0

AB  BC  CA  0

AB  CB  CA  0

If AB  BC  CA  0

AC  CA

 AC  AC

 AC  AC  0

 2AC  0

 AC  0 , which is not true.

So, the equation given in option C is False.

Hence, the correct answer is C .

19. If a and b are two collinear vectors, then which of the following are
incorrect?

A. b   a , for some scalar 

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B. a  b

C. the respective components of a and b are proportional

D. both the vectors a and b have same direction, but different magnitudes

Ans: If a and b are collinear vectors, they are parallel. b   a ( scalar  )

If   1, then a  b

If a  a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3 kˆ and b  b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3 kˆ ,


b   a  b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3 kˆ   aiˆ  a2 ˆj  a3 kˆ 
 b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3 kˆ    a1  iˆ    a2  ˆj    a3  kˆ

 b1   a1 , b2   a2 , b3   a3

b1 b2 b3
   
a1 a2 a3

Thus, respective components of a and b are proportional.

But, a and b may have different directions. So, option D is incorrect. The correct
answer is D .

Exercise 10.2

1. Find the angle between two vectors a and b with magnitudes 3 and 2,
respectively having a  b  6

Ans: | a | 3 , | b | 2 , a . b  6

 6  3  2  cos 

6
 cos  
32

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 1
 cos  
2


 
4

2. Find the angle between the vectors i  2 ˆj  3kˆ and 3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ .

Ans: | a | 12  (2)2  32  1  4  9  14

| b | 32  (2)2  12  9  4  1  14

a . b  (i  2 ˆj  3kˆ)(3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ)

 1.3  (2)(2)  3.1

 3 43

 10

10  14 14 cos 

10
 cos  
14

5
   cos 1  
7

3. Find the projection of the vector iˆ  ˆj on the vector i  ˆj .

Ans: a  iˆ  ˆj and b  iˆ  ˆj

1 1 1
Projection of a on b is (a  b )  {1.1  (1)(1)}  (1 1)  0
∣b| 11 2

4. Find the projection of the vector iˆ  3 ˆj  7kˆ on the vector 7iˆ  ˆj  8kˆ .

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Ans: a  iˆ  3 ˆj  7kˆ and b  7iˆ  ˆj  8kˆ

Projection of a on b is
1 1 7  3  56 60
(a  b )  {1(7)  3( 1)  7(8)}  
|b | 72  (1)2  82 49  1  64 114

5. Show that each of the given three vectors is a unit vector, which are
mutually perpendicular to each other.
1 ˆ 1 1
(2i  3 ˆj  6kˆ) , (3iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ) , (6iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ)
7 7 7

Ans:
1 ˆ 2 3 6
a (2i  3 ˆj  6kˆ)  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ ,
7 7 7 7

1 3 6 2
b (3i  6 ˆj  2kˆ)  iˆ  j  kˆ
7 7 7 7

1 ˆ 6 2 3
c (6i  2 ˆj  3kˆ)  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ
7 7 7 7

2 2 2
2 3 6 4 9 36
| a |            1
7 7 7 49 49 49

2 2 2
3  6  2 9 36 4
| b |             1
7  7 7 49 49 49

2 2 2
6 2  3 36 4 9
| c |             1
7 7  7 49 49 49

So, each of the vectors is a unit vector.

2 3 3  6  6 2 6 18 12
a .b           0
7 7 7  7  7 7 49 49 49

3 6  6  2 2  3  18 12 6
b c            0
7 7  7  7 7  7  49 49 49

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 6 2 2 3  3  6 12 6 18
c .a           0
7 7 7 7  7  7 49 49 49

So, given vectors are mutually perpendicular to each other.

6. Find | a | and | b | , if (a  b )  (a  b )  8 and | a |  8 | b | .

Ans: (a  b )  (a  b )  8

 aa  a . b  b  a  bb  8

| a |2  | b |2  8

 (8 | b |)2  | b |2  8

 64 | b |2  | b |2  8

 63 | b |2  8

8
| b |2 
63

8
| b |
63

2 2
| b |
3 7

8 2 2 16 2
| a | 8 | b | 
3 7 3 7

7. Evaluate the product (3a  5b )  (2a  7b )

Ans: (3a  5b )  (2a  7b )

 3a  2a  3a.7b  5b  2a  5b  7b

 6aa  21ab  10ab  35bb

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 6 | a |2 11ab  35 | b |2

8. Find the magnitude of two vectors a and b , having the same magnitude
1
and such that the angle between them is 60 and their scalar product is
2

Ans: Let  be angle between a and b .

1
| a || b |, a . b  , and   60
2

1
 | a | b ∣ cos 60
2

1 1
 | a |2 
2 2

| a |2  1

| a || b | 1

9. Find | x | , if for a unit vector a , ( x  a)  ( x  a)  12

Ans: ( x  a)  ( x  a)  12

 x  x  xa  ax  a  a  12

| x |2  | a |2  12

| x |2 1  12

| x |2  13

| x | 13

10. If a  2iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ, b  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and c  3iˆ  ˆj are such that a  b is

perpendicular to c , then find the value of  .

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Ans: a  b  (2iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ)   (iˆ  2 ˆj  k )  (2   )iˆ  (2  2) ˆj  (3  )kˆ

(a   b )  c  0

 [(2  )iˆ  (2  2 ) ˆj  (3   )kˆ]  (3iˆ  j )  0

 3(2   )  (2  2 )  0(3   )  0

 6  3  2  2  0

   8  0

 8

11. Show that | a | b  | b | a is perpendicular to | a | b  | b | a , For any two nonzero

vectors a and b .

Ans: (| a | b  | b | a)  (| a | b  | b | a)

| a |2 bb  | a || b | ba  | b || a | ab  | b |2 a  a

| a |2 | b |2  | b |2 | a |2  0

12. If a  a  0 and ab  0 , then what can be concluded above the vector b ?

Ans: a  a  0 | a |2  0 | a | 0

 a is the zero vector. Thus, any vector b can satisfy a . b  0 .

13. If a, b , c are unit vectors such that a  b  c  0 , find the value of

a b  b c  c . a .

Ans: | a  b  c |2  (a  b  c )  (a  b  c ) | a |2  | b |2  | c |2 2(ab  bc  c  a )

 0  1  1  1  2(ab  b  c  c  a )

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 16

 3
 (a . b  b  c  c . a ) 
2

14. If either vector a  0 or b  0 , then a  b  0. But the converse need not be

true. Justify your answer with an example.

Ans: a  2i  4j  3k and b  3i  3j  6k

a  b  2.3  4.3  3(6)  6  12  18  0

| a | 22  42  32  29

a  0

| b | 32  32  (6)2  54

b  0

So, it is clear from above example that the converse of the given statement need
not be true.

15. If the vertices A, B, C of a triangle ABC are (1, 2,3),(1,0,0),(0,1, 2) ,

respectively, then find ABC . [ABC is the angle between the vectors BA and
BC ]

Ans: BA  {1  (1)iˆ  (2  0) ˆj  (3  0)kˆ  2iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

BC  {0  (1)}iˆ  (1  0) ˆj  (2  0)kˆ  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

BA  BC  (2iˆ  2 ˆ  3kˆ)  (iˆ  ˆ  2kˆ)  2 1  2  1  3  2  2  2  6  10

| BA | 22  22  32  4  4  9  17

| BC | 1  1  22  6

BA  BC | BA ‖ BC | cos(ABC)

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 17

10  17  6 cos(ABC)

10
 cos(ABC) 
17  6

 10 
 (ABC)  cos 1  
 102 

16. Show that the points A(1, 2,7), B(2,6,3) and C(3,10, 1) are collinear.

Ans:

AB  (2  1)iˆ  (6  2) ˆj  (3  7)kˆ  iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ

BC  (3  2)iˆ  (10  6) ˆ  (1  3)kˆ  iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ

AC  (3  1)iˆ  (10  2) ˆj  (1  7)kˆ  2iˆ  8 ˆj  8kˆ

| AB | 12  42  (4)2  1  16  16  33

| BC | 12  42  (4)2  1  16  16  33

| AC | 22  82  82  4  64  64  2 33

| AC || AB |  | BC |

Hence, the given points are collinear.

17. Show that the vectors 2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ and 3iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ form the vertices
of a right angled triangle.

Ans: OA  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , OB  iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ , OC  3iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ

ˆ
AB  (1  2)iˆ  (3  1) ˆj  (5  1)kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆ  6kˆ

BC  (3  1)iˆ  (4  3) ˆj  (4  5)kˆ  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 18

CA  (2  3)iˆ  (1  4) ˆj  (1  4)kˆ  iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ

| AB | (1)2  (2)2  (6)2  1  4  36  41

| BC | 22  (1)2  12  4  1  1  6

| AC | (1)2  32  52  1  9  25  35

| BC |2  | AC |2  6  35  41 | AB |2

Hence, ABC is a right triangle.

18. If a is a nonzero vector of magnitude 'a' and  a nonzero scalar. then  a

is unit vector if

(A)   1

(B)   1
(C) a |  |

1
(D) a 
||

Ans: |  a | 1

|  ‖ a | 1

1
| a |
||

1
a
||

Exercise 10.4

1. Find | a  b | , if a  iˆ  7 ˆj  7kˆ and b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 19

Ans: We have, a  iˆ  7 ˆj  7kˆ and b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  1 7 7
3 2 2

 iˆ(14  14)  ˆj (2  21)  kˆ(2  21)  19 ˆj  19kˆ

| a  b | (19)2  (19)2  2  (19)2  19 2

2. Find a unit vector perpendicular to each of the vector a  b and a  b , where

a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ and b  iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ .

Ans: a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ and b  iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ

a  b  4iˆ  4 ˆj , a  b  2iˆ  4kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
(a  b )  (a  b )  4 4 0  iˆ(16)  ˆj (16)  kˆ(8)  16iˆ  16 ˆj  8kˆ
2 0 4

| (a  b )  (a  b ) | 162  (16)2  (8)2

 22  82  22  82  82

 8 22  22  1  8 9  8  3  24

(a  b )  (a  b ) 16iˆ  16 ˆj  8kˆ
So, the unit vector is   
| ( a  b )  ( a  b )∣ 24

2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ 2 2ˆ 1ˆ
   iˆ j k
3 3 3 3

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 20

  
3. If a unit vector a makes an angle with iˆ,
with ĵ and an acute angle 
3 4
with k̂ , then find  and hence, the components of a

Ans: a  a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3 kˆ

 a1
| a |  1 . cos 
3 |a|

1
  a1
2

 a2
cos 
4 |a|

1
  a2
2

a3
cos  
|a|

 a3  cos 

 a12  a22  a32  1

2
1  1 
2

     cos   1
2

2  2 

1 1
   cos 2   1
4 2

3
  cos 2   1
4

3 1
 cos 2   1  
4 4

1 
 cos    
2 3

 1
 a3  cos 
3 2

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 21

  1 1 1
So,   and components of a are  , , 
3 2 2 2

4. Show that (a  b )  (a  b )  2(a  b )

Ans: (a  b )  (a  b )

 (a  b)  a  (a  b)  b

 a a  b  d  ab  b b

 0  a b  a b  0

 2 (a  b )

5. Find  and  if (2iˆ  6 ˆj  27kˆ)  (iˆ   ˆj   kˆ)  0

Ans: (2iˆ  6 ˆj  27kˆ)  (iˆ   ˆj   kˆ)  0

iˆ ˆj kˆ
 2 6 27  0iˆ  0 ˆj  0kˆ
1  

 iˆ(6  27 )  ˆj (2  27)  kˆ(2  6)  0iˆ  0 ˆj  0kˆ

6  27  0

2  27  0

2  6  0

 3

27

2

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 22

6. Given that a . b  0 and a  b  0 . What can you conclude about a and b ?

Ans: a . b  0

(i) | a | 0 or | b | 0 or a  b ( if | a | 0 and | b | 0)

a b  0

(ii) | a |  0 or | b |  0 or a ‖ b (if | a | 0 and | b | 0)

But a and b cannot be parallel and perpendicular at same time.

So, | a | 0 or | b | 0

7. Let the vectors a, b , c given as a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3 kˆ , b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3 kˆ , c1iˆ  c2 ˆj  c3 kˆ .

Then show that  a  (b  c )  a  b  a  c

Ans: (b  c )   b1  c1  iˆ  b2  c2  ˆj  b3  c3  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
Now, a  (b  c ) a1 a2 a3
b1  c1 b2  c2 b3  c3

 i a2  b3  c3   a3  b2  c2   ˆj a1  b3  c3   a3  b1  ci   kˆ a1 b2  c2   a2 b1  c1 

 i  a2 b3  a2 c3  a3b2  a3c2   ˆj  a1b3  a1c3  a3b1  a3c1   kˆ a1b2  a1c2  a2b1  a2 ci 

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3

 i  a2 b3  a3b2   ˆj b1a3  ab3   kˆ a1b2  a2 h 

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  c  a1 a2 a3
c1 c2 c3

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 23

 iˆ  a2 c3  a3 c2   ˆj  a3 c1  a1c3   kˆ ab2  a2b 

(a  b )  (a  c )  iˆ  a2 b3  a2 c3  a3b2  a3c2   ˆj[b1a3  a3c1  a1b3  ai }3 

kˆ  a, b, a1c, a, b1  a, c1 

a  (b  c )  a  b  a  c

Hence, proved.

8. If either a  0 or b  0 , then a  b  0 .Is the converse true? Justify your

answer with an example.

Ans: Let a  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ , b  4iˆ  6 ˆj  8kˆ , a  b  0

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  2 3 4  iˆ(24  24)  ˆj (16  16)  kˆ(12  12)  0iˆ  0 ˆj  0kˆ
4 6 8

| a | 22  32  42  29

a  0

| b | 42  62  82  116

b  0

Hence, converse of the statement need not be true.

9. Find the area of the triangle with vertices A (1,1, 2) , B (2,3,5) and C (1,5,5) .

Ans: AB  (2  1)iˆ  (3  1) ˆj  (5  2)kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

BC  (1  2)iˆ  (5  3) ˆj  (5  5)kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj

1
Area  | AB  BC |
2

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 24

 iˆ ˆj kˆ
AB  BC  1 2 3  iˆ(6)  ˆj (3)  kˆ(2  2)  6iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ
1 2 0

| AB  BC | (6)2  (3)2  42  36  9  16  61

61
So, area of ABC is sq units.
2

10. Find the area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are determined by
the vector a  iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ and b  2iˆ  7 ˆj  kˆ

Ans:

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  1 1 3  iˆ(1  21)  ˆj (1  6)  kˆ(7  2)  20iˆ  5 ˆj  5kˆ
2 7 1

| a  b | 202  52  52  400  25  25  15 2

So, area of parallelogram is 15 2 sq units

2
11. Let the vectors a and b be such that | a | 3 and | b | , then a  b is a unit
3
vector, if the angle between a and b is:

(A)
6


(B)
4


(C)
3


(D)
2

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 25

Ans: | a  b | 1

|| a || b | sin  | 1

| a || b || sin  | 1

2
 3  sin   1
3

1
 sin  
2


 
4

12. Area of a rectangle having vertices A, B, C , and D with position vectors

1ˆ 1 1 1
iˆ  j  4kˆ, iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ, iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ and iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ respectively is
2 2 2 2

1
(A)
2

(B) 1

(C) 2

(D) 4

Ans: AB  (1  1)iˆ     ˆj  (4  4)kˆ  2iˆ

1 1
2 2

 1 1
BC  (1  1)iˆ      ˆj  (4  4)kˆ   ˆj
 2 2

iˆ ˆj kˆ
AB  BC  2 0 0  kˆ(2)  2kˆ
0 1 0

| AB  BC | (2)2  2

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 26

So, area of the required rectangle is 2 square units.

Miscellaneous Exercise

1. Write down a unit vector in XY-plane, making an angle of 30 with the
positive direction of x axis.

Ans: Unit vector is r  cos iˆ  sin  ˆj , where  is angle with positive X axis.
3ˆ 1ˆ
r  cos30 iˆ  sin 30 ˆj  i j
2 2

2. Find the scalar components and magnitude of the vector joining the points
P  x1 , y1 , z1  and Q  x2 , y2 , z2 

Ans: PQ   x2  x1  iˆ   y2  y1  ˆj   z2  z1  kˆ

 x2  x1    y2  y1    z2  z1 
2 2 2
| PQ | 

3. A girl walks 4 km towards west, then she walks 3 km in a direction 30 east
of north and stops. Determine the girl's displacement from her initial point of
departure.

Ans:

OA  4iˆ

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 27

AB  iˆ | AB | cos 60  ˆj | AB | sin 60

1 ˆ 3
 iˆ3   j3 
2 2

3ˆ 3 3 ˆ
 i j
2 2

OB  OA  AB

3 3 3 
 (4iˆ)   iˆ  j 
2 2 

 3 3 3 ˆ
  4   iˆ  j
 2 2

 8  3  ˆ 3 3 ˆ
 i  j
 9  9

5 3 3 ˆ
 i j
2 2

4. If a  b  c , then is it true that | a || b |  | c | ? Justify your answer.

Ans: In ABC, CB  a, CA  b, AB  c

a  b  c , by triangle law of addition for vectors.

| a |  | b |  | c | , by triangle inequality law of lengths.

Hence, it's not true that | a || b |  | c |

5. Find the value of x for which x(iˆ  ˆj  kˆ) unit vector.

Ans: | x(iˆ  ˆj  kˆ) | 1

 x2  x2  x2  1

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 28

 3x 2  1

 3x  1

1
x
3

6. Find a vector of magnitude 5 units, and parallel to the resultant of the

vectors a  2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and b  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

Ans: c  a  b  (2  1)iˆ  (3  2) ˆj  (1  1)kˆ  3iˆ  ˆj

| c | 32  12  9  1  10

c (3iˆ  ˆj )
 cˆ  
|c | 10

So, a vector of magnitude 5 and parallel to the resultant of a and b is

 1  3 10 ˆ 10 ˆ
5(cˆ)  5  (3iˆ  ˆj )    i j
 10  2 2

7. If a  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , b  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ and c  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , find a unit vector parallel to the

vector 2a  b  3c .

Ans: 2a  b  3c  2(iˆ  ˆj  kˆ)  (2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ)  3(iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ)

 2iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ  2iˆ  j  3k  3iˆ  6 ˆj  3kˆ

 3iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ

| 2a  b  3c | 32  (3)2  22  9  9  4  22

2a  b  3c 3iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ 3 ˆ 3 ˆ 2 ˆ
Thus ,required unit vector is   i j k
| 2a  b  3c | 22 22 22 22

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 29

8. Show that the points A(1, 2, 8), B(5,0, 2) and C(11,3,7) are collinear, and find
the ratio in which B divides AC.

Ans: AB  (5  1)iˆ  (0  2) ˆj  (2  8)kˆ  4iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

BC  (11  5)iˆ  (3  0) ˆj  (7  2)kˆ  6iˆ  3 ˆj  9kˆ

AC  (11  1)iˆ  (3  2) ˆj  (7  8)kˆ  10iˆ  5 ˆj  15kˆ

| AB | 42  22  62  16  4  36  56  2 14

| BC | 62  32  92  36  9  81  126  3 14

| AC | 102  52  152  100  25  225  350  5 14

 | AC || AB |  | BC |

So, the points are collinear.

 OC  OA
Let B divide AC in ratio  :1. OB 
(  1)

 (11iˆ  3 ˆj  7kˆ)  (iˆ  2 ˆj  8kˆ)

 5iˆ  2kˆ 
 1

 (  1)(5iˆ  2kˆ)  11iˆ  3 ˆj  7 kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  8kˆ

 5(  1)iˆ  2(  1)kˆ  (11  1)iˆ  (3  2) ˆj  (7  8)kˆ

2
 
3

So, the required ratio is 2:3

9. Find the position vector of a point R which divides the line joining two
points P and Q whose position vectors are (2a  b ) and (a  3b ) externally in
the ratio 1: 2. Also, show that P is the mid point of the line segment RQ.

Ans: OP  2a  b ,OQ  a  3b

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 30

 2(2a  b )  (a  3b ) 4a  2b  a  3b
OR    3a  5b
2 1 1

So, the position vector of R is 3a  5b

OQ  OR
Position vector of midpoint of RQ 
2

(a 6)  (3a  5b )

2

 2a  b

 OP

Thus, P is midpoint of line segment RQ

10. The two adjacent sides of a parallelogram are 2iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ and iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ .
Find the unit vector parallel to its diagonal. Also, find its area.

Ans: Diagonal of a parallelogram is a  b

a  b  (2  1)iˆ  (4  2) ˆj  (5  3)kˆ  3iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ

So, the unit vector parallel to diagonal is

a b 3iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ 3iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ 3iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ 3 ˆ 6 ˆ 2 ˆ
    i  j k
|a b | 32  (6)2  22 9  36  4 7 7 7 7

iˆ ˆj k
a  b  2 4 3
1 2 3

 iˆ(12  10)  ˆj (6  5)  k (4  4)

 22iˆ  11 ˆj

 11(2iˆ  ˆj )

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 31

| a  b | 11 22  12  11 5

So, area of parallelogram is 11 5 sq units

11. Show that the direction cosines of a vector equally inclined to the axes OX,
1 1 1
OY and OZ are , .
3 3 3

Ans: Let a vector be equally inclined to OX,OY , and OZ at an angle  .

So, the Direction Cosines of the vector are cos  ,cos  and cos  .

cos2   cos2   cos2   1

 3cos2   1

1
 cos  
3

1 1 1
So, the DCs of the vector are , , .
3 3 3

12. Let a  iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ and b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  7kˆ and c  2iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ . Find a vector d
which is perpendicular to both a and b and c  d  15

Ans: d  d1iˆ  d2 ˆ  d3 kˆ

d . a  0  d1  4d2  2d3  0

d . b  0  3d1  2d2  7d3  0

c  d  15  2d1  d2  4d3  15

160 5 70
Solving these equations, we get d1  , d 2   , d3  
3 3 3

160 ˆ 5 70 1
d  i  j  kˆ  (160iˆ  5 ˆj  70kˆ)
3 3 3 3

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 32

13. The scalar product of the vector iˆ  ˆj  kˆ with a unit vector along the sum
of veclors 2iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ änd iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ is equal to one. Find the value of  .

Ans: (2iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ)  (iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ)  (2   )iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ

 (2   )iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ 
So, unit vector along (2iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ)  (iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ) is  
   4  44 
2

 (2   )iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ 
(iˆ  ˆj  kˆ)     1

   4  44 
2

(2   )  6  2
 1
 2  4  44

  2  4  44    6

  2  4  44  (  6)2

  2  4  44   2  12  36

 8  8

  1

14. If a, b , c are mutually perpendicular vectors of equal magnitudes, show

that the vector a  b  c is equally inclined to a , b and c .

Ans: a . b  b . c  c . a  0

| a || b || c |

Let a b c be inclined to a, b , c at angles 1 ,2 ,3 respectively.

(a  b  c )  a a  a  b  a  c  a | a |2 |a|
cos 1    
| a  b  c || a ∣ | a  b  c || a ∣ | a  b  c || a | | a  b  c |

(a  b  c )b ab  bb  cb | b |2 |b |
cos  2    
| a  b  c || b ∣ | a  b  c || b ∣ | a  b  c || b | | a  b  c |

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 33

 (a  b  c )  c ac  bc  cc | c |2 |c |
os 3    
| a  b  c || c | | a  b  c || c ∣ | a  b  c || c | | a  b  c |

Since, | a || b || c |  cos 1  cos 2  cos 3 , So, 1  2  3

15. Prove that, (a  b )  (a  b )  | a |2  | b |2 if and only if a , b are perpendicular,

given a  0, b  0

Ans: (a  b )  (a  b ) | a |2  | b |2

 a  a  a . b  b  a  b . b | a |2  | b |2

| a |2 2a . b  | b |2 | a |2  | b |2

 2a . b  0

 a .b  0

So a and b are perpendicular.

16. If  is the angle between two vectors a and b , then ab  0 only when

(A) 0   
2


(B) 0   
2

(C) 0    

(D) 0    

Ans:  ab  0

| a || b | cos   0

 cos  0 [| a | 0 and | b | 0]

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 34

 
 0  
2


a  b  0 if 0   
2

So the right answer is B

17. Let a and b be two unit vectors and  is the angle between them. Then
a  b is a unit vector if


(A)  
4


(B)  
3


(C)  
2

2
(D)  
3

Ans: | a || b | 1

| a  b | 1

 (a  b)(a  b)  1

 aa  a .b b . a b .b 1

| a |2 2a . b  | b |2  1

 12  2 | a || b | cos   12  1

 1  2.1.1cos  1  1

1
 cos   
2

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 35

 2
 
3

2
So, a  b is unit vector if  
3

The correct answer is D

18. The value of iˆ.( ˆj  kˆ)  ˆj  (iˆ  kˆ)  kˆ  (iˆ  ˆj ) is

(A) 0 (B)  1 (C) 1 (D) 3

Ans:

iˆ  ( ˆj  kˆ)  ˆj  (iˆ  kˆ)  kˆ  (iˆ  ˆj )

 iˆ . iˆ  ˆj  ( ˆj )  kˆ . kˆ

 111

1

The correct answer is C

19. If  is the angle between any two vectors a and b , then | ab || a  b | when
 is equal to

(A) 0

(B)
4


(C)
2

(D) n

Ans: | ab || a  b |

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 36

| a | b | cos  | a || b ∣ sin 

 cos  sin 

 tan   1


 
4

The correct answer is B

Class XII Maths www.vedantu.com 37