Nature of Chapter:

1. Its an independent chapter in itself, but it will be used a lot in 3D Geometry.

2. Its bit lengthy, but if you create hold on “Section formulae”, then you will
be able to visualize the vector and if you create hold on “Dot” and “Cross”
product then no problem will trouble you, conceptually.

3. There are some shortcuts and some observations, which will make some
questions (previously asked in main and advanced) very easy, which we
will be discussing, don’t miss that.

4. Students generally find questions of this topic confusing. Focussing at the

right point given in the question and using some std observations (which
i will be telling) is sth you need to make this topic easier for yourself.
 Weightage of Vectors (Last 5 years)
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Average

JEE Main 5.8 % 4.6 % 4.5 % 3.6 % 3.5 % 4.40 %

Jee Advanced 3% 3% 7% 6% 2% 4.20 %

 Vectors
● Basics of Vectors
● Section Formulae
● Collinearity and Coplanarity
● Products of Vectors
● Triple Products
● Vector Equations
 Vectors
Critical Topics:
● Dot product and Cross product
● Scalar Triple Product
Basics of Vectors
 Basics of Vectors

Definition
A vector is a quantity which has magnitude as well as direction.

NOTE

In addition to magnitude and direction, two vector quantities of

the same kind should be capable of being compounded
according to the parallelogram law of addition.
 Basics of Vectors

Types of Vectors
Zero Vector: A vector whose magnitude or length is 0 and whose direction
is indeterminate is called the zero vector.

It is also known as the null vector. It is denoted by .

 Basics of Vectors

Types of Vectors
Unit Vector: A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude or length is 1.
 Basics of Vectors

Types of Vectors
Free and Localised Vector: When there is no restriction to choose
the origin of a vector, then it is called a free vector. When there is a
restriction to choose a particular point, then it is called a localised
vector or a sliding vector.
 Basics of Vectors

Types of Vectors
Coinitial Vectors: All vectors having the same initial point are called
co-initial vectors. For example, are all coinitial vectors.
 Basics of Vectors

Types of Vectors
Reciprocal Vectors: The vector which has the same direction as but
has a magnitude reciprocal to that of is called the reciprocal of
and is denoted by .
 Basics of Vectors

Types of Vectors

Collinear or Parallel Vectors: Vectors are said to be collinear or parallel

if they have the same line of support or have parallel lines of support
regardless of their magnitudes.

Remark

The line of which a vector is a part is called its support.

 Basics of Vectors

Types of Vectors

Like and Unlike Vectors: Vectors are said to be like if they have the
same direction and unlike if they have opposite directions, irrespective of
their magnitudes.
 Basics of Vectors

Now let’s see the evolution of vectors, taking various number

of points in space.
 Basics of Vectors

1 point
Z
A vector formed by joining the origin to the
point A (vector terminating at A) is called
the position vector of point A. It is generally
written as .
Y
O
X
 Basics of Vectors

2 points Z

O Y

X
 Basics of Vectors

2 points Z

Two points, A and B, now means two

position vectors and

Two position vectors and

O Y
gives one free vector given by

For example, the points A(1, 2, 3) and B(4, 1 ,5) means position vectors
and respectively and they give a free
vector
 Basics of Vectors

Addition of Vectors
The sum of two vectors and is denoted by and is also called
the resultant of and .

Now, let’s pick the triangle law, the parallelogram law and the polygon law of
addition of vectors one by one.
 Basics of Vectors

Triangle Law of Addition of Vectors

Resultant of and is .

The length or the magnitude of the

resultant can be easily found using the
following relation, where θ is the angle
between the vectors and .
 Basics of Vectors

Remark

The angle which the resultant of and makes with is

given by
 Basics of Vectors

Parallelogram Law of Addition of Vectors

Q Find the unit vector in the direction of the resultant of the
vectors and .
Q Find the unit vector in the direction of the resultant of the
vectors and .

Solution:
Given, and

Also,

Hence, the unit vector in the direction of is given by -

Q Find a vector of magnitude 5 units which is parallel to the
resultant of the vectors and .
Q Find a vector of magnitude 5 units which is parallel to the
resultant of the vectors and .

Solution:
 Basics of Vectors

Polygon Law of Addition of Vectors

 Basics of Vectors

Polygon Law of Addition of Vectors

If n - 1 sides of a polygon represent the vectors ,
taken in order, then the nth side in opposite direction gives
their sum or resultant.
For example, consider the following pentagon.
Section Formulae
 Section Formulae

Internal Section Formula External Section Formula

m
n

O O
 Section Formulae

NOTE
A
C
m n B

P
For example, in a ΔABC, if AD is the median to the side BC, then
A

B D C
 Section Formulae

NOTE
A
C
m n B

P
For example, in a ΔABC, if AD is the median to the side BC, then
A

B D C
 Section Formulae

Now let’s do some examples on section formulae.

Q Find the position vector of the point C on the segment AB
such that AC : CB = 1 : 4. The position vectors of A and B
are and respectively.
Q Find the position vector of the point C on the segment AB
such that AC : CB = 1 : 4. The position vectors of A and B
are and respectively.

Solution:
Q If are position vectors of A, B respectively and C is a
point on AB produced such that AC = 2AB, then find the
position vector of C.
Q If are position vectors of A, B respectively and C is a
point on AB produced such that AC = 2AB, then find the
position vector of C.

Solution:
1
It is given that AC = 2AB 1
∴ AB : BC = 1 : 1
⇒ B divides AC in 1 : 1

O
Q If A, B, C, D are any four points and E, F are the
midpoints of AC and BD respectively, then prove
that
Q If A, B, C, D are any four points and E, F are the
midpoints of AC and BD respectively, then prove
that

Solution:
 JEE Main 15th Apr, 2023

Let ABCD be a quadrilateral. If E and F are the

Q
midpoints of the diagonals AC and BD respectively

and then k is equal to

A 4

B 2

C -2

D -4
 JEE Main 15th Apr, 2023

Let ABCD be a quadrilateral. If E and F are the

Q
midpoints of the diagonals AC and BD respectively

and then k is equal to

A 4

B 2

C -2

D -4
Solution:
Q Points D and E divide sides BC and CA of a triangle ABC
in the ratio 2 : 3 each respectively. Find the position
vector of the point of intersection of AD and BE and the
ratio in which this point divides AD and BE.
Solution:

P
Solution:
 NOTE

b
c

1. Position vector of centroid is

2. Position vector of incentre is

 NOTE

b
c

1. Position vector of centroid is

2. Position vector of incentre is

 Observation

If I is the incenter of triangle ABC, then the value of the

expression
 JEE Main 10th Apr, 2023

Q If the points P and Q are respectively the

circumcenter and the orthocentre of a ΔABC, then
is equal to:

D
 JEE Main 10th Apr, 2023

Q If the points P and Q are respectively the

circumcenter and the orthocentre of a ΔABC, then
is equal to:

D
 JEE Main 10th Apr, 2023

Q If the points P and Q are respectively the

circumcenter and the orthocentre of a ΔABC, then
is equal to:

Solution:
 Remark

A vector along the internal angle bisector of and is of the

form .
B

A C

For external angle bisector, it is .

Q
Solution:
Q Let , find the vector
bisecting ∠AOB internally such that C lies on AB.
Solution:
Collinearity & Coplanarity
 Collinearity & Coplanarity

3 points (two vectors)

The moment we have three points, the concern is collinearity. Three points
will be collinear if that is
 Collinearity & Coplanarity

3 points (two vectors)

The moment we have three points, the concern is collinearity. Three points
will be collinear if that is

For example, consider the points A(1, 3, 2), B(-2, 0, 1) and C(4, 6, 3).
As are parallel or
collinear, the points A, B and C will be collinear.
 JEE Main 8th Apr, 2023

If the points with position vectors

Q
are collinear, then

(19𝞪 - 6𝞫)2 is equal to

A 16

B 49

C 36

D 25
 JEE Main 8th Apr, 2023

If the points with position vectors

Q
are collinear, then

(19𝞪 - 6𝞫)2 is equal to

A 16

B 49

C 36

D 25
Solution:
Solution:
 Let be three vectors of which every pair is
Q
non-collinear. If are collinear with
respectively, then find the value of
Solution:
Alternate Solution:
 AIEEE 2011

Q Let be three non-zero vectors which are

pairwise non-collinear. If is collinear with
and is collinear with , then is

D
 AIEEE 2011

Q Let be three non-zero vectors which are

pairwise non-collinear. If is collinear with
and is collinear with , then is

D
Solution:
 NOTE

are collinear if ,
which means
 NOTE

are collinear if ,
which means
⇒
⇒
where x + y + z = 0 and not all of x, y, z are zero.
 NOTE

are collinear if ,
which means
⇒
⇒
where x + y + z = 0 and not all of x, y, z are zero.

1. This is the condition of collinearity of points A, B and C in

terms of their position vectors.
2. It does not imply that are collinear.
 Collinearity & Coplanarity

4 points (three vectors)

The moment we have four points, the concern is coplanarity. Four points
will be collinear if are coplanar.
 Collinearity & Coplanarity

4 points (three vectors)

The moment we have four points, the concern is coplanarity. Four points
will be collinear if are coplanar.

Condition: Three vectors are coplanar if any one of them

can be written as a linear combination of the other two, that is,
Q Show that , and
are coplanar.
Q Show that , and
are coplanar.

Solution:
 Collinearity & Coplanarity

Observation

If, out of three vectors, two are collinear, then the three
vectors are coplanar.
 Collinearity & Coplanarity

Remark

Four points are coplanar if

are coplanar, which means
 Collinearity & Coplanarity

Remark

Four points are coplanar if

are coplanar, which means

where x + y + z + w = 0 and not all of x, y, z are zero.

 Collinearity & Coplanarity

Remark

Four points are coplanar if

are coplanar, which means

where x + y + z + w = 0 and not all of x, y, z are zero.

1. This is the condition of coplanarity of points A, B, C and D in
terms of their position vectors.
2. It does not imply that the four position vectors are coplanar.
1. Fundamental Theorem in 2D
Let be two given non-zero, non-collinear vectors, then any vector
coplanar with can be uniquely expressed as
for some scalars x and y.
2. Fundamental Theorem in 3D
Let be three given non-zero, non-collinear vectors, then any vector in
space can be uniquely expressed as for some scalars x & y.

(that is, can be uniquely expressed as a linear combination of )

Product of Vectors
 Product of Vectors

We define the products of two vectors in two ways.

1. Scalar Product (or dot product).
2. Vector Product (or cross product).

Let consider them one by one.

 Dot Product

Clearly, the angle between and is given by .

 Dot Product

Properties
 Dot Product

NOTE
Q Find
Q Find

Solution:
Q If and are unit vectors and θ is the angle between

them, then prove that .

Solution:
 JEE Main 2020

Q
 JEE Main 2020

Ans: 2
Solution:
Q
Solution:
 Dot Product

Remark

If in some question, the value of is asked or required ,

then use to create it.
Q
Q

Solution:
 IIT JEE 2012

Q
 IIT JEE 2012

Ans: 3
Solution:
 Dot Product

Geometrical Significance of the Dot product

Let’s look at the projection of a vector along another vector.

 Dot Product

Geometrical Significance of the Dot product

Let’s look at the projection of a vector along another vector.

Projection of on

Projection of on
 Dot Product

Geometrical Significance of the Dot product

Let’s look at the projection of a vector along another vector.

Projection of on

Projection of on

NOTE

is called projection vector (or component vector) of

along
Q Find the projection or the component of on
Q Find the projection or the component of on

Solution:
 JEE Main 20th July 2021

D
 JEE Main 20th July 2021

D
 JEE Main 20th July 2021

Solution:
Rectangular resolution of a Vector
 Rectangular resolution of a Vector

Along X - Y Along X - Y - Z

O
 Rectangular resolution of a Vector

Along X - Y Along X - Y - Z

Clearly, and Clearly, , and

 Rectangular resolution of a Vector

Remark

1. If a vector lies in a plane of two ⊥ vectors and then we

can resolve as
 Rectangular resolution of a Vector

Remark

1. If a vector lies in a plane of two ⊥ vectors and then we

can resolve as

2. If are any three mutually ⊥ vectors then we can resolve

as
Cross Product
Cross Product
Q
Q

Solution:
 Find a vector of magnitude 7 units, which is perpendicular to
Q
the two vectors and
Solution:
 JEE Main 10th April, 2023

Q Let O be the origin and the position vector of the point P be

. If the position vectors of A, B and C are

and respectively
then the projection of vector on a vector perpendicular
to the vectors and is :

D
 JEE Main 10th April, 2023

Q Let O be the origin and the position vector of the point P be

. If the position vectors of A, B and C are

and respectively
then the projection of vector on a vector perpendicular
to the vectors and is :

D
Solution:
Solution:
 Cross Product

Properties
1.
2.

3.
 Cross Product

Properties
1.
2.

3.

NOTE

1.

2. &
3. If and are non-zero vectors then 0 implies they
are parallel
Q Find 𝞴 if
Q Find 𝞴 if

Solution:
 IIT JEE 2012

A 0

B 3

C 4

D 8
 IIT JEE 2012

A 0

B 3

C 4

D 8
Solution:
Solution:
 JEE Main 24th June, 2022

D
 JEE Main 24th June, 2022

D
Solution:
Q Prove that: (Lagrange’s Identity)
Q Prove that: (Lagrange’s Identity)

Solution:
 JEE Advanced 2020

Q In a triangle PQR, let

 JEE Advanced 2020

Q In a triangle PQR, let

Ans: 108
Solution:
Solution:
Geometrical Significance of the Cross Product
B C

O A
Geometrical Significance of the Cross Product
Area of parallelogram B C

O A

NOTE

is the vector area of parallelogram OABC

 Remark

B C

O A

Area of
 Result

The area of a quadrilaterals is where and

are vectors.
 JEE Main 1st Feb, 2023

Q A(2, 6, 2), B(-4, 0, 𝞴), C(2, 3, -1) and D(4, 5, 0), |𝞴| ≤ 5 are
the vertices of a quadrilateral ABCD. If its area is 18 sq.
units, then 5 - 6𝞴 is equal to _____.
 JEE Main 1st Feb, 2023

Q A(2, 6, 2), B(-4, 0, 𝞴), C(2, 3, -1) and D(4, 5, 0), |𝞴| ≤ 5 are
the vertices of a quadrilateral ABCD. If its area is 18 sq.
units, then 5 - 6𝞴 is equal to _____.

Ans: 11
Solution:
 JEE Main 27th June, 2022

D
 JEE Main 27th June, 2022

D
Solution:
Solution:
Triple Products
 Triple Products
There are two kinds of triple products, namely

1. Scalar triple product.

2. Vector triple product

Let’s consider them one by one.

 Scalar Triple Product

Scalar Triple Product (Box Product)

 Scalar Triple Product

Scalar Triple Product (Box Product)

 Scalar Triple Product

Scalar Triple Product (Box Product)

In Cartesian form,
Try to observe that
That is, we can interchange the . and the x operations,
changing the brackets appropriately.
 Scalar Triple Product
Properties of Box Product

and will break

into 4 and 8 scalar triple products respectively.
 Scalar Triple Product
Properties of Box Product

and will break

into 4 and 8 scalar triple products respectively.

(c)
Q

A 0

B 6

C 12

D 18
NOTE
Q

A 0

B 6

C 12

D 18
Solution:
 Scalar Triple Product

Remark

Three vectors are coplanar if

 Scalar Triple Product

Remark

Three vectors are coplanar if

Proof
implies that is perpendicular to ,
which means that lies in the plane of and .

NOTE

If any two of are collinear, then

 JEE Main 11th Apr, 20223

Q If the four distinct points with position vectors

are coplanar, then is equal to

D
 JEE Main 11th Apr, 20223

Q If the four distinct points with position vectors

are coplanar, then is equal to

D
Solution:
Q
Solution:
 JEE Main 28th July, 2022

A A non-empty finite set

B Equal to N

C Equal to R - {0}

D Equal to R
 JEE Main 28th July, 2022

A A non-empty finite set

B Equal to N

C Equal to R - {0}

D Equal to R
Solution:
 Scalar Triple Product

Result

1.

2.

3.
Q
Solution:
Q

D
Q

D
Solution:
Q

A 9

B 3

C 6

D 12
Q

A 9

B 3

C 6

D 12
Solution:
 Scalar Triple Product

NOTE

Reciprocal System of Vectors

Let be three non-coplanar vectors such that
.
Then the vectors

are said to form a reciprocal system of vectors for the

vectors
 Scalar Triple Product

Geometrical Significance of the Box Product

The magnitude of gives the volume of the parallelepiped whose

coinitial edges are

 Scalar Triple Product

Geometrical Significance of the Box Product

The magnitude of gives the volume of the parallelepiped whose

coinitial edges are

Remark

The magnitude of gives the volume of the

tetrahedron whose coinitial edges are
Vector Triple Product
 Vector Triple Product

For three vectors : and are

called vector triple products.
 Vector Triple Product

For three vectors : and are

called vector triple products.

Theorem

NOTE
 Recall

If and are non-collinear vectors such that

then x1 = x2 and y1 = y2 .
 JEE Main 29th July, 2022

A -5

B 5

C 1

D -1
 JEE Main 29th July, 2022

A -5

B 5

C 1

D -1
Solution:
 JEE Main 26th June, 2022

A 0

D
 JEE Main 26th June, 2022

A 0

D
Solution:
 Vector Triple Product

Observation
Q

D
Q

D
Solution:
 Let be non-collinear vectors of which is a unit
Q
vector. Find the angles of a triangle, two of whose sides
are represented by and .
Solution:

Q R
Solution:
 Vector Triple Product

NOTE

Geometrically, is a vector which is perpendicular to and

lies in the plane of and .
 Find a vector of magnitude 5 units which is coplanar with
Q
and , and is perpendicular to
Solution:
Now, lets learn how do we tackle the following.

1.

2.
Now, lets learn how do we tackle the following.

Result

1.

2.
 JEE Main 25th Jan, 2023

D
 JEE Main 25th Jan, 2023

D
Solution:
 Result

[a × b b × c c × a] = [a b c]2
Q Find the value of [(2a × 3b) (3b × 4c) (4c × 2a)] if [a b c] = 2
Q Find the value of [(2a × 3b) (3b × 4c) (4c × 2a)] if [a b c] = 2

Solution:
Vector Equations
 Solve r × b = a × b and r . c = 0, where c is not
Q
perpendicular to b.
 Solve r × b = a × b and r . c = 0, where c is not
Q
perpendicular to b.

Solution:
 Vector Equations

To solve vector equations, we generally express the unknown vector as a

linear combination of three non-coplanar vectors and then find the
coefficients.
Q If satisfies , then prove that

for some scalar t.

Solution:
 If non-zero vectors and are perpendicular to each
Q
other and satisfies , then express in
terms of and
Solution:
Q Express in terms of the non-coplanar vectors
Solution:
Solution:
Q

then find the value of ⍺ + β + γ.

Solution:
 If C is a given non-zero scalar and and be given
Q
non-zero vectors such that , then find which
satisfies and
Solution: