MATHEMATICS

Mind map : learning made simple Chapter - 10

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction is called a vector.
If λ Multiplied to vector AB, then the magnitude is multiplied
by |λ| and direction remain same (or opp.) according as The distance between the initial and terminal points of a vector is

λ is the+ ve or ‚ –ve. called its magnitude. Magnitude of vector AB is |AB|.

a Position vector of a point P (x, y, z) is xi + y j + zk and its magnitude is

For a given vector a, the vector a = gives the unit vector in the
a OP (r ) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 .For eg: Position vector of P (2,3,5) is 2i + 3 j + 5kˆ
5i
direction of a. for eg ‚ if a=5i, then a = = i ,which is a unit vector. and its magnitude is 22 +32 +52 = 38.
5
The scalar components of a vector are its direction
The Position vector of a point R dividing a line segment
joining P,Q whose position vectors are a , b resp., in the ratios, and represent its projections along the
ratio m : n mb − na nes respective axes.
na + mb cosi
(i) internally is , (ii) externally is on The magnitude (r)
, direction ratios (a,b,c) and direction
m+n m–n ve c re
c ti
to r di cosines (l,m,n) of vector ai + b j + ck are related as:
s
a b c
If a, b are the vectors and 'θ', angle between S ca lar p rod u ct o f l = ,m = ,n =
Vector r 
r  r
them, then their scalar product a.b = a b cos.θ two vectors For eg : If AB = i + 2 j + 3k , then r = 1 + 4 + 9 = 14
a.b
⇒ cos.θ = Algebra
a b Direction ratios are (1,2,3)  1 2 3 
 , , 
and direction cosines are  14 14 14 

(i) Zero vector (initial and terminal points coincide)

a × b = a b sin θ n , n is a unit vector
(ii) Unit vector (magnitude is unity)
perpendicular to line joining a,b.
(iii) Coinitial vectors (same initial points)
(iv) Collinear vectors (parellel to the same line)
If we have two vectors (v) Equal vectors (same magnitude and direction)
The
TheVector
vectorsum
sumof
oftwo
twocoinitials
coinitial
a = a1 i + a2 j + a3 k , b = b1 i + b2 j + b3 k and
vectors is given by the diagonal (vi) Negative of a vector (same magnitude,
λ is any scalar, then-
of the parallelogram whose opp. direction)
1 1 2 2 3
a + b = (a + b )i + (a + b ) j + (a + b )k 3
adjacent sides are given vectors.
λa = (λa1 )i + (λa2 ) j + (λa3 )k A B The vector sum of the three
A
a.b = a1 b1 + a2 b2 + a3 b3 and sides of a triangle taken in
i j k order is 0 .i.e
C D
a × b = a1 a2 a3   if ABC is given triangle, then
if AB , AC are the given vectors,   
b1 b2 b3    AB + BC + CA = 0. B C
then AB + AC = AD
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

Important Questions
Multiple Choice questions-
1. In ΔABC, which of the following is not true?

(a) 𝐴𝐵⃗ + 𝐵𝐶⃗ + 𝐶𝐴⃗ = 0⃗

(b) 𝐴𝐵⃗ + 𝐵𝐶⃗ – 𝐴𝐶⃗ = 0⃗

(c) 𝐴𝐵⃗ + 𝐵𝐶⃗ – 𝐶𝐴⃗ = 0⃗

(d) 𝐴𝐵⃗ – 𝐶𝐵⃗ + 𝐶𝐴⃗ = 0⃗

2. If 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ are two collinear vectors, then which of the following are incorrect:

(a) 𝑏⃗ = λ𝑎⃗ tor some scalar λ.

(b) 𝑎⃗ = ±𝑏⃗

(c) the respective components of 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ are proportional

(d) both the vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ have the same direction, but different magnitudes.

3. If a is a non-zero vector of magnitude ‘a’ and λa non-zero scalar, then λ𝑎⃗ is unit vector if:

(a) λ = 1

(b) λ = -1

(c) a = |λ|

(d) a =
| |

4. Let λ be any non-zero scalar. Then for what possible values of x, y and z given below, the
vectors 2𝚤̂ – 3𝚥̂ + 4𝑘 and x𝚤̂ – y𝚥̂ + z𝑘 are perpendicular:

(a) x = 2λ. y = λ, z = λ
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

(b) x = λ, y = 2λ, z = -λ

(c) x = -λ, y = 2λ, z = λ

(d) x = -λ, y = -2λ, z = λ.

√
5. Let the vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ be such that |𝑎⃗| = 3 and |𝑏⃗| = , then 𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗ is a unit vector if the
angle between 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ is:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

6. Area of a rectangle having vertices

A (-𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ + 4𝑘 ),

B (𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ + 4𝑘 ),

C (𝚤̂ – 𝚥̂ + 4𝑘 ),

D (-𝚤̂ – 𝚥̂ + 4𝑘 ) is

(a) square unit

(b) 1 square unit

(c) 2 square units

(d) 4 square units.

7. If θ is the angle between two vectors 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗, then 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗ ≥ 0 only when

(a) 0 < θ <

(b) 0 ≤ θ ≤

(c) 0 < θ < π

MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

(d) 0 ≤ θ ≤ π

8. Let 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ be two unit vectors and 6 is the angle between them. Then 𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗ is a unit vector
if:

(a) θ =

(b) θ =

(c) θ =

(d) θ =

9. If {𝚤̂, 𝚥̂, 𝑘 } are the usual three perpendicular unit vectors, then the value of:

𝚤̂.( 𝚥̂ × 𝑘 ) + 𝚥̂.(𝚤̂ × 𝑘 ) + 𝑘 .(𝚤̂ × 𝚥̂) is

(a) 0

(b) -1

(c) 1

(d) 3

10. If θ is the angle between two vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗, then |𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗| = |𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗| when θ is equal to:

(a) 0

(b)

(c)

(d) π

Very Short Questions:

1. Classify the following measures as scalar and vector quantities:

(i) 40°

(ii) 50 watt

(iii) 10gm/cm3
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

(iv) 20 m/sec towards north

(v) 5 seconds. (N.C.E.R.T.)

2. In the figure, which of the vectors are:

(i) Collinear

(ii) Equal

(iii) Co-initial. (N.C.E.R.T.)

3. Find the sum of the vectors:

4. Find the vector joining the points P (2,3,0) and Q (-1, – 2, – 4) directed from P to Q.
(N.C.E.R.T.)

5. If 𝑎⃗ = x𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ − z𝑘 and b⃗ = 3𝚤̂ − y𝚥̂ + 𝑘 are two equal vectors, then write the value of x + y +
z. (C.B.S.E. 2013)

6. Find the unit vector in the direction of the sum of the vectors:

7. Find the value of ‘p’ for which the vectors: 3𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 9𝑘 and 𝚤̂ − 2p𝚥̂ + 3𝑘 are parallel.
(A.I.C.B.S.E. 2014)

8. If 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ are perpendicular vectors, |𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗| = 13 and |𝑎⃗| =5, find the value of |𝑏⃗|
(A.I.C.B.S.E. 2014)

9. Find the magnitude of each of the two vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗, having the same magnitude such
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

that the angle between them is 60° and their scalar product is (C.B.S.E. 2018)

10.Find the area of the parallelogram whose diagonals are represented by the vectors: 𝑎⃗ =2𝚤̂ −
3𝚥̂ + 4𝑘 and 𝑏⃗ = 2𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ + 2𝑘 (C.B.S.E. Sample Paper 2018-19)

Short Questions:
1. If θ is the angle between two vectors:

2. X and Y are two points with position vectors 3𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗ and 𝑎⃗ − 3𝑏⃗ respectively. Write the po-
sition vector of a point Z which divides the line segment XY in the ratio 2:1 externally.
(C.B.S.E. Outside Delhi 2019)

3. Find the unit vector perpendicular to both 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗, where:

4. If 𝑎⃗ = 2𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 𝑘 , 𝑏⃗ = −𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 𝑘 and 𝑐⃗ = 3𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ are such that 𝑎⃗ + λ𝑏⃗ is perpendicular to 𝑐⃗ ,
then find the value of λ. (C.B.S.E. 2019 C)

5. Let 𝑎⃗ = 𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ − 3𝑘 and 𝑏⃗ = 3𝚤̂ − 𝚥̂ + 2𝑘 be two vectors. Show that the vectors (𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗) and

(𝑎⃗ − 𝑏⃗) are perpendicular to each other. (C.B.S.E. Outside Delhi 2019)

6. If the sum of two-unit vectors is a unit vector, prove that the magnitude of their difference

is √3. (C.B.S.E. 2019)

7. If 𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗ + 𝑐⃗ = 0⃗ and |𝑎⃗| = 3, |𝑏⃗| = 5 and |𝑎⃗| = 7, then find the value of 𝑎⃗⋅𝑏⃗ + 𝑏⃗⋅𝑐⃗ + 𝑐⃗⋅𝑎⃗

(C.B.S.E. Sample Paper 2019-20)

8. Find |𝑎⃗ − 𝑏⃗|, if two vectors a and b are such that |𝑎⃗| = 2, | 𝑏⃗ | = 3 and 𝑎⃗⋅𝑏⃗ = 4. (N.C.E.R.T.)

Long Questions:
1. Let 𝑎⃗ = 4𝚤̂ + 5𝚥̂ − 𝑘 and 𝑏⃗ = 𝚤̂ – 4𝚥̂ + 5𝑘 and 𝑐⃗ = 3𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ − 𝑘 . Find a vector 𝑎⃗ which is
perpendicular to both 𝑐⃗ and 𝑏⃗ and 𝑑⃗ ⋅𝑎⃗ =21. (C.B.S.E. 2018)

2. If 𝑝⃗ = 𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ + 𝑘 and 𝑞⃗ = 𝚤̂ – 2𝚥̂ + 𝑘 , find a vector of magnitude 5√3 units perpendicular to the

vector 𝑞⃗. and coplanar with vector 𝑝⃗ and 𝑞⃗. (C.B.S.E. 2018)
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

3. If 𝚤̂ + 𝚥̂ + 𝑘 , 2𝚤̂ + 5𝚥̂, 3𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ − 3𝑘 and 𝚤̂ − 6𝚥̂ − 𝑘 respectively are the position vectors of points
A, B, C and D, then find the angle between the straight lines AB and CD. Find

4. If 𝑎⃗ + 𝑏⃗ + 𝑐⃗ = 0⃗ and |𝑎⃗| = 3, |𝑏⃗| = 5, and |𝑐⃗| =7, find the angle between 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗. (C.B.S.E.
2014)

Case Study Questions:

1. A barge is pulled into harbour by two tug boats as shown in the figure.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions.

MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

2. Three slogans on chart papers are to be placed on a school bulletin board at the points A,
Band C displaying A (Hub of Learning), B (Creating a better world for tomorrow) and C
(Education comes first). The coordinates of these points are (1, 4, 2), (3, -3, -2) and (-2, 2, 6)
respectively.
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

Based on the above information, answer the following questions.

MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

Answer Key-
Multiple Choice questions-
1. Answer: (c) 𝐴𝐵⃗ + 𝐵𝐶⃗ – 𝐶𝐴⃗ = 0⃗

2. Answer: (d) both the vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗ have the same direction, but different magnitudes.

3. Answer: (d) a =
| |

4. Answer: (c) x = -λ, y = 2λ, z = λ

5. Answer: (b)

6. Answer: (c) 2 square units

MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

7. Answer: (b) 0 ≤ θ ≤

8. Answer: (d) θ =

9. Answer: (d) 3

10.Answer: (b)

Very Short Answer:

1. Solution:

(i) Angle-scalar

(ii) Power-scalar

(iii) Density-scalar

(iv) Velocity-vector

(v) Time-scalar.

2. Solution:

(i) 𝑎⃗, 𝑐⃗ and 𝑎⃗ are collinear vectors.

(ii) 𝑎⃗ and 𝑐⃗ are equal vectors.

(iii) 𝑏⃗, 𝑐⃗ and 𝑑⃗ are co-initial vectors.

3. Solution:

Sum of the vectors = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐̂

4. Solution:

Since the vector is directed from P to Q,

∴ P is the initial point and Q is the terminal point.

MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

∴ Reqd. vector = 𝑃𝑄⃗

5. Solution:

Here

Comparing, A: = 3,2 = -y i.e. y = -2, ̴ z= 1 i.e. z = -1.

Hence, x + y + z = 3 – 2 – 1 = 0.

6. Solution:

7. Solution:

The given vectors 3𝚤̂ + 2𝚥̂ + 9𝑘 and 𝚤̂ − 2p𝚥̂ + 3𝑘 are parallel

MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

8. Solution:

9. Solution:

10.Solution:
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

Short Answer:
1. Solution:

2. Solution:

Position vector of
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

3. Solution:

Hence, the unit vector perpendicular to both 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗

4. Solution:

We have:

⇒ (2 – λ) (3) + (2 + 2λ) (1) + (3 + λ)(0) = 0

⇒ 6 – 3λ + 2 + 2λ = 0
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

⇒ -λ, + 8 = 0.

Hence, λ, = 8.

5. Solution:

Now,

= (4) (- 2) + (1) (3) + (-1) (- 5)

= – 8 + 3 + 5 = 0.

6. Solution:
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

By the question,

⇒ ΔABC is equilateral, each of its angles being 60°

⇒ ∠DAB = 2 x 60° = 120° and ∠ADB = 30°.

By Sine Formula,

7. Solution:
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

8. Solution:

Long Answer:
1. Solution:
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

⇒ 3x + y - z = 0 …(1)

and x - 4y + 5z = 0 …(2)

⇒ 4x + 5y-z = 21 …(3)

Multiplying (1) by 5,

1 5x + 5y – 5z = 0 …(4)

Adding (2) and (4),

16x + y = 0 …(5)

Subtracting (1) from (3),

x + 4y = 21 …(6)

From (5),

y = -16x …(7)

Putting in (6),

x – 64x = 21

-63x: = 21
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

z = 13/3

2. Solution:

(1) (a) + (-2) (b) + 1 (c) = 0

⇒ a – 2b + c = 0

⇒ (1) (-2c – b) – (1) (c – a) + (1) (b + 2a) = 0

⇒ -2c-b-c + a + b + 2a = 0

⇒ 3a – 3c = 0

⇒a–c–0

Solving (1) and (2),

MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

3. Solution:

Note: If ‘θ’ is the angle between AB and CD,

MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

4. Solution:

where ‘θ’ is the angle between a and b

⇒ (3)2 + (5)2 + 2 (3) (5) cos θ = (7)2

⇒9 + 25 + 30 cos θ = 49

⇒ 30 cos θ = 49 – 34 ⇒ cos θ =

⇒ θ = 60°.

Case Study Answers:

1. Answer :
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA

2. Answer :
MATHEMATICS VECTOR ALGEBRA