Prove that acute angle between the two plane faces of a regular

1
tetrahedron is cos −1 .
3
Solution:
𝑂
Let edge length of regular tetrahedron = 1
𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑛1 = normal vector to plane 𝑂𝐴𝐵 = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑛1 𝑏Ԧ
𝑛2
𝑛2 = normal vector to plane 𝑂𝐵𝐶 = 𝑏Ԧ × cԦ 𝐴
𝐶

∴ Acute angle between plane faces 𝑂𝐴𝐵 & 𝑂𝐵𝐶 is given as

𝐵

𝑛1 . 𝑛2 Ԧ (𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐)
(𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏). Ԧ
cos𝜃 = =
|𝑛1 ||𝑛2 | Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ |
|𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏||

𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
=
Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏||
Return to Top
 Prove that acute angle between the two plane faces of a regular
1
tetrahedron is cos −1 .
3
Solution:
𝑂
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
cos𝜃 = 𝑏Ԧ
Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏|| 𝑛1
𝑛2
cos 60° cos 60° 𝐴
𝐶
= cos 0° 2 cos 60°
sin 60°
𝐵
1 1
− 1
= 4 2 =
3 3
4

1
⇒ 𝜃 = cos −1
3
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 If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑑Ԧ are unit vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 1 and 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 1, then
Ԧ 𝑏,
2

IIT-JEE 2009

A 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are non-coplanar
Ԧ 𝑏,

B Ԧ 𝑐,
𝑏, Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ are non-coplanar

C Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ are non-parallel
𝑏,

D Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ are parallel and 𝑏,

𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are parallel

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 If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑑Ԧ are unit vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 1 and 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 1, then
Ԧ 𝑏,
2

IIT-JEE 2009
Solution:
Let 𝜃1 be the angle between 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ ^ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝜃1 𝑏
𝑐Ԧ
𝜃2 be the angle between 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑑Ԧ ⇒ 𝑐Ԧ ^ 𝑑Ԧ = 𝜃2
𝑑Ԧ
𝜙 be angle between 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 1 ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ cos 𝜙 = 1 𝑎Ԧ
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ sin 𝜃1 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ sin 𝜃2 ⋅ cos 𝜙 = 1

⇒ sin 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 cos 𝜙 = 1

𝜋 𝜋
⇒ 𝜃1 = , 𝜃2 = , 𝜙 = 0
2 2

As 𝜙 = 0 so 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ are parallel

Return to Top ⇒ 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ are coplanar
 If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑑Ԧ are unit vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 1 and 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 1, then
Ԧ 𝑏,
2

IIT-JEE 2009
Solution:
⇒ 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ are coplanar 𝑏
𝑐Ԧ
1
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ =
2 𝑑Ԧ
1
⇒ cos 𝜃3 =
2
𝑎Ԧ
(where 𝜃3 is the angle between 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑐)
Ԧ
𝜋
⇒ 𝜃3 =
3

𝜋
⇒ angle between 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ is
3

𝜋
⇒ angle between 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑑Ԧ is
3

∴ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑑Ԧ are non-parallel

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 If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑑Ԧ are unit vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 1 and 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 1, then
Ԧ 𝑏,
2

IIT-JEE 2009

C Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ are non-parallel
𝑏,

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 Vector Product of Four Vectors:
𝑉 = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ

= 𝑢 × 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ

= 𝑢 ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑢 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ

= 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖

𝑉 = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ

Let 𝑣Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ

⇒ 𝑉 = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑣Ԧ

= 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑣Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑣Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ

Return to Top = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ (𝑖𝑖)

 Vector Product of Four Vectors:
𝑉 = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖

𝑉 = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ (𝑖𝑖) From 𝑖 and 𝑖𝑖

𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ (𝑖𝑖𝑖)

Note:

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 0

Planes containing the vectors 𝑎Ԧ & 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ & 𝑑Ԧ are parallel.

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 0

Two planes are perpendicular.

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 Vector Product of Four Vectors:

𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ (𝑖𝑖𝑖)

Note:
If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ , 𝑑Ԧ are four vectors & no three of them are coplanar then each one of
Ԧ 𝑏,
them can be expressed as a linear combination of others.

If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ , 𝑑Ԧ are 𝑃. 𝑉. of four points then these four points

Ԧ 𝑏,
are in same plane if

𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ𝑑Ԧ

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 If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are three vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎,
Ԧ then:

A Ԧ = 1, |𝑐|
|𝑏| Ԧ = |𝑎|
Ԧ

B |𝑐|
Ԧ = 1, |𝑎| Ԧ
Ԧ = |𝑏|

C Ԧ = 2, |𝑐|
|𝑏| Ԧ = 2|𝑎|
Ԧ

D |𝑎| Ԧ = |𝑐|
Ԧ = 1, |𝑏| Ԧ

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 If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are three vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎,
Ԧ then:

Solution:
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖 ⇒ 𝑐Ԧ ⊥ 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ ⊥ 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 0

𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖𝑖 ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ ⊥ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑎Ԧ ⊥ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 0

Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are mutually perpendicular 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ

∴ 𝑎,
Ԧ 𝑏,

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ

⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ

⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ

⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ

Return to Top ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ
 If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are three vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎,
Ԧ then:

Solution:
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ

Ԧ 2 = 1 ⇒ 𝑏Ԧ = 1
⇒ |𝑏|

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ

⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ

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 If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are three vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎,
Ԧ then:

A Ԧ = 1, |𝑐|
|𝑏| Ԧ = |𝑎|
Ԧ

Return to Top
 Session 08
Linearly Dependent and
independent vectors

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 Theorem in Space (Fundamental theorem in Space) :

If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are 3 non-zero, non coplanar vectors then any vector

Ԧ 𝑏,
can be expressed as a linear combination.

𝑟Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑦𝑏Ԧ + 𝑧𝑐Ԧ of 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ → Linear combination of 𝑖,Ƹ 𝑗Ƹ & 𝑘෠

Ԧ 𝑏,

Example :
Express the non coplanar vectors 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ in term of 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎,

Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐,
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ are also non coplanar

𝑎Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑦 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑧 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ 1

Vector 𝑎Ԧ is represented as a linear combination of

Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ & 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ (non coplanar)

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏,
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 Theorem in Space (Fundamental theorem in Space) :

Example : 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑦 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑧 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ 1

Dot with 𝑎Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎ത 𝑎ത 𝑏ത + 𝑦 𝑎ത 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ + 𝑧 𝑎ത 𝑐ҧ 𝑎ത
𝑎2
𝑎Ԧ 2
= 𝑦 𝑎ത 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ ⇒ 𝑦 =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
Dot with 𝑏Ԧ
𝑎⋅𝑏
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎ത 𝑎ത 𝑏ത + 𝑦 𝑏ത 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ + 𝑧 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ 𝑎ത ⇒ 𝑧 =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

Dot with 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎⋅𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑐ҧ 𝑎ത 𝑏ത + 𝑦 𝑐ҧ 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ + 𝑧 𝑐ҧ 𝑐ҧ 𝑎ത ⇒ 𝑥 =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

𝑎⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎×𝑏 + 𝑎 2 𝑏×𝑐Ԧ + 𝑎⋅𝑏 𝑐×𝑎

Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
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 Theorem in Space (Fundamental theorem in Space) :
Example : 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑦 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑧 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ 1
Dot with 𝑎Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎ത 𝑎ത 𝑏ത + 𝑦 𝑎ത 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ + 𝑧 𝑎ത 𝑐ҧ 𝑎ത
𝑎2
𝑎Ԧ 2
= 𝑦 𝑎ത 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ ⇒ 𝑦 =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

Dot with 𝑏Ԧ
𝑎⋅𝑏
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎ത 𝑎ത 𝑏ത + 𝑦 𝑏ത 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ + 𝑧 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ 𝑎ത ⇒ 𝑧 =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
Dot with 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎⋅𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑐ҧ 𝑎ത 𝑏ത + 𝑦 𝑐ҧ 𝑏ത 𝑐ҧ + 𝑧 𝑐ҧ 𝑐ҧ 𝑎ത ⇒ 𝑥 =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

Put values of 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 in (1)

𝑎⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎×𝑏 + 𝑎 2 𝑏×𝑐Ԧ + 𝑎⋅𝑏 𝑐×𝑎

Ԧ
∴ 𝑎Ԧ =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
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 Let 𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶 be a regular tetrahedron of side length unity where 𝑃 is a point at
a unit distance from the origin and 𝑂𝑃 is equally inclined to 𝑂𝐴, 𝑂𝐵, 𝑂𝐶 at
an angle 𝛼. Find cos 2 𝛼 .
Solution :

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 Let 𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶 be a regular tetrahedron of side length unity where 𝑃 is a point at
a unit distance from the origin and 𝑂𝑃 is equally inclined to 𝑂𝐴, 𝑂𝐵, 𝑂𝐶 at
an angle 𝛼. Find cos 2 𝛼 .

ො 𝑏෠ & 𝑐Ƹ are 3 non zero, non coplanar vectors

Solution : 𝑎,
𝑂
𝑎ො ⋅ 𝑏෠ = 𝑏෠ ⋅ 𝑐Ƹ = 𝑐Ƹ ⋅ 𝑎ො = 1 × 1 × cos 𝜋 = 1
3 2 𝛼
𝑝Ƹ = 𝑥 𝑎ො + 𝑦𝑏෠ + 𝑧𝑐Ƹ → 𝑝 can be represented as a
𝑎ො 𝑐Ƹ
𝑝Ƹ
linear combination of 𝑎, ො 𝑏෠ & 𝑐Ƹ
𝐴
𝑏෠ 𝑃
1 1 𝐶
Dot product with 𝑎ො ⇒ cos 𝛼 = 𝑥 + 2 𝑦 + 2 𝑧 ⋯ (𝑖)
𝐵
1 1
Dot product with 𝑏෠ ⇒ cos 𝛼 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 ⋯ (𝑖𝑖)
2 2

Dot product with 𝑐Ƹ ⇒ cos 𝛼 = 1 𝑥 + 1 𝑦 + 𝑧 ⋯ (𝑖𝑖𝑖)

2 2

Adding 𝑖 , (𝑖𝑖) & 𝑖𝑖𝑖 ⇒ 3 cos 𝛼 = 2 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧

Dot product with 𝑝Ƹ ⇒ 1 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 cos 𝛼

⇒ sec 𝛼 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧
2
Return to Top ⇒ 2 sec 𝛼 = 3 cos 𝛼 ⇒ cos 2 𝛼 = 3
 Linearly Dependent and Independently Vectors :

If 𝑉1 , 𝑉2 , ⋯ , 𝑉𝑛 are vectors and 𝜆1 , 𝜆2 , ⋯ , 𝜆𝑛 are scalars.

And if the linear combination 𝜆1 𝑉1 + 𝜆2 𝑉2 + ⋯ + 𝜆𝑛 𝑉𝑛 = 0

necessarily implies 𝜆1 = 𝜆2 = ⋯ = 𝜆𝑛 = 0

∴ 𝑉1 , 𝑉2 , ⋯ , 𝑉𝑛 are Linearly Independent set of vectors.

If 𝑉1 , 𝑉2 , ⋯ , 𝑉𝑛 are vectors and 𝜆1 , 𝜆2 , ⋯ , 𝜆𝑛 are scalars.

And if the linear combination 𝜆1 𝑉1 + 𝜆2 𝑉2 + ⋯ + 𝜆𝑛 𝑉𝑛 = 0

At least one of scalar 𝜆1 = 𝜆2 = ⋯ = 𝜆𝑛 ≠ 0
∴ 𝑉1 , 𝑉2 , ⋯ , 𝑉𝑛 are Linearly Dependent set of vectors.

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 Linearly Dependent and Independently Vectors :

𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑦𝑗ƶ = 0

where 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0

∴ 𝑖Ƹ and 𝑗Ƹ are Linearly Independent.

Two vectors 𝑖Ƹ and 2𝑖Ƹ

𝜆1 𝑖ƶ + 2𝜆2 𝑖ƶ = 0

⇒ 𝜆1 = 2 and 𝜆2 = −1
∴ 𝑖ƶ and 2𝑖Ƹ are Linearly Dependent.

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 Linearly Dependent and Independently Vectors :
For two non-zero vectors
If 𝑎Ԧ || 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ Linearly Dependent

𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆𝑏Ԧ or 𝑎Ԧ − 𝜆𝑏Ԧ = 0 or 𝜆1 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆2 𝑏Ԧ = 0

If 𝑎Ԧ ∦ 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ Linearly Independent

For three non-zero vectors

If 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ≠ 0 ⇒ Linearly Independent, 𝑎, Ԧ cԦ, are non co-planar.
Ԧ 𝑏,

If 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 0 ⇒ Linearly Dependent and 𝑎Ԧ , 𝑏Ԧ , 𝑐Ԧ are coplanar vectors.

𝑐Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑦𝑏Ԧ (Theorem in Plane)

𝜆1 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆2 𝑏Ԧ + 𝜆3 𝑐Ԧ = 0 (Linear Dependent)

𝜆1 , 𝜆2 , 𝜆3 ≠ 0
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 Linearly Dependent and Independently Vectors :

Four or more vectors is a Linearly Dependent System .

Proof :

Consider four vectors 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐,

Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ

Case 1 ∶ Three of them are coplanar.

𝑎Ԧ = 𝑥𝑏 + 𝑦𝑐 + 0𝑑Ԧ

𝑥𝑏 + 𝑦𝑐 + 0𝑑Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ = 0

Hence Linear Dependent.

Case 2 ∶ 𝑎Ԧ , 𝑏Ԧ , 𝑐Ԧ are non-coplanar.

𝑎Ԧ = 𝑥𝑏 + 𝑦𝑐 + 𝑧𝑑Ԧ (Theorem in Space)

Hence Linear Dependent

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 Let 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑓 𝑥 𝑖ƶ − 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 𝑗,ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑔 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑔′ 𝑥 𝑗ƶ be two non-zero vectors and
ℎ 𝑥 be the anti derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 × 𝑔 𝑥 . If ℎ 1 = 1 , ℎ 2 = 3, ℎ 4 = 7,
then 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ are linearly dependent for

A at least one 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 2

B at least one 𝑥 ∈ 2 , 4

C at least two 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 4

D at least one 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 4

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 Let 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑓 𝑥 𝑖ƶ − 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 𝑗,ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑔 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑔′ 𝑥 𝑗ƶ be two non-zero vectors and ℎ 𝑥
be the anti derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 × 𝑔 𝑥 . If ℎ 1 = 1 , ℎ 2 = 3, ℎ 4 = 7, then 𝑎Ԧ
and 𝑏Ԧ are linearly dependent for

Solution : ℎ′ 𝑥 = 𝑔 𝑥 × 𝑓 𝑥 → ℎ 𝑥 is differentiable

Applying LMVT on ℎ 𝑥 in 1 , 2 i.e. 𝐶1 ∈ 1, 2

ℎ 2 −ℎ 1
ℎ′ 𝐶1 = = 3 − 1 = 2 for 𝐶1 ∈ (1, 2)
2−1

Applying LMVT on ℎ 𝑥 in 2 , 4
ℎ 4 −ℎ 2
ℎ′ 𝐶2 = = 2 for 𝐶2 ∈ (2, 4)
4−2

Applying Rolle’s Theorem on ℎ′ 𝑥 on 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 , ℎ′ 𝐶1 = ℎ′(𝐶2 )

ℎ′′ 𝑥 = 0 for some 𝐶 ∈ 1, 4

ℎ′′ 𝑥 = 𝑔′ 𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 𝑔 𝑥 = 0 for some 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 4

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 Let 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑓 𝑥 𝑖ƶ − 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 𝑗,ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑔 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑔′ 𝑥 𝑗ƶ be two non-zero vectors and ℎ 𝑥
be the anti derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 × 𝑔 𝑥 . If ℎ 1 = 1 , ℎ 2 = 3, ℎ 4 = 7, then 𝑎Ԧ
and 𝑏Ԧ are linearly dependent for

Solution : ℎ′′ 𝑥 = 𝑔′ 𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 𝑔 𝑥 = 0 for some 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 4

𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓′ 𝑥
then, = → Ratio of 𝑖Ƹ & 𝑗Ƹ are equal
𝑔 𝑥 𝑔′ 𝑥

Coefficients of 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ are equal.

So, 𝑎Ԧ ∥ 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ Linearly Dependent for atleast one 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 4

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 Let 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑓 𝑥 𝑖ƶ − 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 𝑗,ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑔 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑔′ 𝑥 𝑗ƶ be two non-zero vectors and ℎ 𝑥
be the anti derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 × 𝑔 𝑥 . If ℎ 1 = 1 , ℎ 2 = 3, ℎ 4 = 7, then 𝑎Ԧ
and 𝑏Ԧ are linearly dependent for

A at least one 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 2

B at least one 𝑥 ∈ 2 , 4

C at least two 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 4

D at least one 𝑥 ∈ 1 , 4

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 Coplanarity of Four Points :

Method 1 : 𝐴𝐵, 𝐴𝐶 & 𝐴𝐷 are coplanar.

𝐴 𝑎Ԧ
𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐷 = 0

Method 2 : 4 points 𝑎Ԧ , 𝑏Ԧ , 𝑐Ԧ , 𝑑Ԧ are coplanar if 𝐵 𝑏 𝐷 𝑑Ԧ

there exists scalars 𝑥 , 𝑦 , 𝑧 and 𝑡 not all
𝐶 𝑐Ԧ
simultaneously zero

satisfying 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑦𝑏Ԧ + 𝑧𝑐Ԧ + 𝑡𝑑Ԧ = 0 .

where 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 + 𝑡 = 0

Collinearity of 𝑎,
Ԧ b & 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑥+𝑦+𝑧 =0⇒𝑧 =− 𝑥+𝑦

For 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑦 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑧 𝑐Ԧ = 0
𝑥𝑎+𝑦𝑏
𝑐Ԧ = → Section formula
𝑥+𝑦
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 Reciprocal System of Vectors :

If 𝑎Ԧ , 𝑏Ԧ , 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑎Ԧ ′ , 𝑏Ԧ ′ , 𝑐Ԧ′ are 2 sets of non-coplanar vectors such that

𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ ′ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ ′ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ′ = 1

then 𝑎Ԧ , 𝑏Ԧ , 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑎Ԧ ′ , 𝑏Ԧ ′ , 𝑐Ԧ′ are said to constitute a reciprocal system of vectors.

𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ ′ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ ′ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ′ = 1

𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ ′ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ′ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ ′ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ′ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ ′ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ ′ = 0

Reciprocal system of vectors exists only in case of dot product.

It is possible to define 𝑎Ԧ ′ , 𝑏Ԧ ′ , 𝑐Ԧ′ in terms of 𝑎Ԧ , 𝑏Ԧ , 𝑐Ԧ as

𝑏 × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎 𝑎×𝑏
𝑎Ԧ ′ = ; 𝑏Ԧ ′ = ; 𝑐Ԧ′ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ≠ 0
𝑎𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎𝑏𝑐Ԧ 𝑎𝑏𝑐Ԧ
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 Reciprocal System of Vectors :

Note :

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ ′ + 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ′ + 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ′ = 0

𝑎× 𝑏×𝑐Ԧ Ԧ
𝑏 × 𝑐×𝑎 Ԧ 𝑎×𝑏
𝑐×
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ ′ + 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ′ + 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ′ = + +
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

𝑎⋅𝑐Ԧ 𝑏− 𝑎⋅𝑏 𝑐+
Ԧ 𝑏⋅𝑎 𝑐−
Ԧ 𝑏⋅𝑐Ԧ 𝑎+ 𝑐⋅𝑏
Ԧ 𝑎− 𝑐⋅𝑎
Ԧ 𝑏
= =0
𝑎𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ ′ + 𝑏Ԧ ′ + 𝑐Ԧ′ = 3
1
If 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑉 then 𝑎Ԧ ′ 𝑏Ԧ ′ 𝑐Ԧ′ = 𝑉 ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ′ 𝑏Ԧ ′ 𝑐Ԧ′ = 1

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 Reciprocal System of Vectors :

1
If 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑉 then 𝑎Ԧ ′ 𝑏Ԧ ′ 𝑐Ԧ′ = 𝑉 ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ′ 𝑏Ԧ ′ 𝑐Ԧ′ = 1

Proof :
𝑏×𝑐Ԧ 𝑏×𝑐Ԧ Ԧ
𝑐×𝑎 Ԧ
𝑐×𝑎 𝑎×𝑏 𝑎×𝑏
𝑎′ = = ; 𝑏′ = = ; 𝑐′ = =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑉 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑉 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑉

𝑏×𝑐Ԧ 𝑐×𝑎
Ԧ 𝑎×𝑏
𝑎Ԧ ′ 𝑏Ԧ ′ 𝑐Ԧ′ =
𝑉 𝑉 𝑉

1
= 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
𝑉3

1 2 1 2
= 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 3 ×𝑉
2
∵ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑉3 𝑉

1
=
𝑉
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 Reciprocal System of Vectors :

Note :
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ ′ × 𝑏Ԧ ′ + 𝑏Ԧ ′ × 𝑐Ԧ′ + 𝑐Ԧ′ × 𝑎Ԧ ′ = , 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ≠ 0
𝑎𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

𝑏 ×𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ×𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎
𝑇1 = 𝑎Ԧ ′ × 𝑏Ԧ ′ = 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
×
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
= 2 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑑Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎 𝑐Ԧ
= 2 =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

𝑎
𝑇2 = 𝑏Ԧ ′ × 𝑐Ԧ′ = ,
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

𝑏
𝑇3 = 𝑐′ × 𝑎′ =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ

𝑎+𝑏+𝑐Ԧ
⇒ 𝑇1 + 𝑇2 + 𝑇3 =
Return to Top 𝑎𝑏𝑐Ԧ
 Solving Simultaneous Vector Equations For Unknown Vectors

➢ Satisfy a given relationship with some known vectors.

➢ There is no general method for solving such equations, however dot or cross with
Ԧ generally isolates the unknown vectors.
known or unknown vectors or dot with 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏,

➢ Use of linear combination also proves to be advantageous.

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 Ԧ where 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ are non collinear vectors.
Find 𝑟Ԧ such that 𝑡𝑟Ԧ + 𝑟Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏,

Solution:

𝑡𝑟Ԧ + 𝑟Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ are non collinear vectors.

𝑟Ԧ = ?
Taking dot product with 𝑎Ԧ in eq 𝑖

Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ
𝑡 𝑟Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ + (𝑟Ԧ × 𝑎)

𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ
⇒ 𝑟Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = ⋯ 𝑖𝑖 𝑟Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑡𝑟Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝑡

Taking cross product with 𝑎Ԧ in eq 𝑖

𝑡 𝑟Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑟Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ

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⇒ 𝑡 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑡𝑟Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑟Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ
 Ԧ where 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ are non collinear vectors.
Find 𝑟Ԧ such that 𝑡𝑟Ԧ + 𝑟Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏,

Solution:

𝑡𝑟Ԧ + 𝑟Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ are non collinear vectors.

𝑟Ԧ = ?
⇒ 𝑡 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑡𝑟Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑟Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ

𝑏⋅𝑎
⇒ 𝑡𝑏Ԧ − 𝑡 2 + 𝑎2 𝑟Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ
𝑡

𝑏⋅𝑎
⇒ 𝑡 2 + 𝑎2 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑡𝑏Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
𝑡

1 𝑏⋅𝑎
⇒ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑡𝑏Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
𝑡 2 +𝑎2 𝑡

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 Solve the following simultaneous equations for 𝑥Ԧ and 𝑦:
Ԧ
Ԧ 𝑥Ԧ × 𝑦Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑥Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 1
𝑥Ԧ + 𝑦Ԧ = 𝑎,

Solution:

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 Solve the following simultaneous equations for 𝑥Ԧ and 𝑦:
Ԧ
Ԧ 𝑥Ԧ × 𝑦Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑥Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 1
𝑥Ԧ + 𝑦Ԧ = 𝑎,

Solution:

𝑥Ԧ + 𝑦Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖 𝑥Ԧ × 𝑦Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖𝑖 𝑥Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 1 ⋯ 𝑖𝑖𝑖

Putting the value of 𝑦Ԧ from 𝑖 in 𝑖𝑖

⇒ 𝑥Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑥Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ 𝑥Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ

⇒ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑥Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ

⇒ 𝑎2 𝑥Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑥Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ

⇒ 𝑎2 𝑥Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ

1 1
⇒ 𝑥Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ∴ 𝑦Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
Return to Top 𝑎2 𝑎2
 Parametric Vector Equation of a Straight Line

Vector equation of a straight line passing through a

𝑅(𝑟)
Ԧ
given point 𝐴(𝑎) Ԧ
Ԧ and parallel to a given vector 𝐵(𝑏)

𝑟Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑦𝑗Ƹ + 𝑧𝑘෠ Ԧ
𝐴(𝑎)
Ԧ 𝐵(𝑏)
⇒ 𝐴𝑅 𝑏 ⇒ 𝑟Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ 𝑟Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆 𝑏Ԧ

𝑟Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆𝑏Ԧ → vector equation of required straight line.

𝑎Ԧ → point through which line is passing.

𝑏Ԧ → Direction to which line is parallel.

where 𝜆 is a scalar and for different values of 𝜆, we
get different positions of point 𝑅.

∴ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑗Ƹ + 𝜇 2𝑖Ƹ − 𝑗Ƹ + 𝑘෠
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 Parametric Vector Equation of a Straight Line

➢ Two lines in a plane are either intersecting or parallel conversely two

intersecting or parallel lines must be in the same plane.

➢ However, in space we can have two neither parallel nor intersecting

lines. Such non coplanar lines are known as skew lines. If two lines are

parallel and have a common point then they are coincident.

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 Parametric Vector Equation of a Straight Line

➢ However, in space we can have two neither parallel nor intersecting

lines. Such non coplanar lines are known as skew lines. If two lines are

parallel and have a common point then they are coincident.

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 A vector in the direction of the angle bisector between the two
vectors 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ .

Solution:

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 A vector in the direction of the angle bisector between the two
vectors 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ .

Solution:

𝑏
𝜆 𝑎ො + 𝑏෠
𝑏෠

𝑎ො 𝑎Ԧ
𝜆 𝑎ො − 𝑏෠

𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ
Vector in the direction of the angle bisector =±
𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ
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 Session 09
Shortest between two skew
lines

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 Vector Equation of Angle Bisectors between Two Straight Lines

Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆𝑏Ԧ ⋯ (𝑖)
Line 1: 𝑟= 𝑏
෠
𝑃(𝑏)
Line 2: 𝑟=
Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜇𝑐Ԧ ⋯ (𝑖𝑖) 𝑀
𝐴(𝑎)
Ԧ
Angle bisector also pass through 𝐴 𝑎Ԧ 𝑄(𝑐)Ƹ
𝑐Ԧ
𝑟Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑡 𝑏෠ + 𝑐Ƹ

𝑎Ԧ → Point, 𝑏෠ + 𝑐Ƹ → Direction of angle bisector

𝑡 is scalar

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 Vector Equation of Angle Bisectors between Two Straight Lines

Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆𝑏Ԧ ⋯ (𝑖)
Line 1: 𝑟=
𝑏
෠
𝑃(𝑏)
Line 2: 𝑟=
Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜇𝑐Ԧ ⋯ (𝑖𝑖) 𝑀
𝐴(𝑎)
Ԧ
Vector in the direction of external
angle bisector = 𝑏෠ − cො 𝑄(𝑐)Ƹ
𝑐Ԧ
Angle bisector also pass through 𝐴 𝑎Ԧ

෠ 𝑐Ƹ
Equation of external angle bisector: 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑠 𝑏−

𝑠 is scalar

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 ƶ
A vector 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝛽𝑘(𝛼, 𝛽, ∈ ℝ) lies in the plane of the vectors,

𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘.
ƶ If 𝑎Ԧ bisects the angle between 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐,
Ԧ then :
JEE MAINS Mar 2021

A 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ + 2 = 0

B 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ + 4 = 0

C 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ − 2 = 0

D 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ + 5 = 0

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 ƶ
A vector 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝛽𝑘(𝛼, 𝛽, ∈ ℝ) lies in the plane of the vectors,

𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘.
ƶ If 𝑎Ԧ bisects the angle between 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐,
Ԧ then :
JEE MAINS Mar 2021
Solution:

𝑎Ԧ bisects the angle between 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ

Ԧ or 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆(𝑏Ԧ − 𝑐)
Angle bisector : 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆(𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐) Ԧ

ƶ 𝑗ƶ
𝑖+ ƶ 𝑗+4
𝑖+ ƶ 𝑘ƶ
𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆 +
2 3 2

𝜆
= ƶ
[3𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘]
3 2

𝜆
= ƶ
[4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘]
3 2

Compare with 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝛽𝑘ƶ

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 ƶ
A vector 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝛽𝑘(𝛼, 𝛽, ∈ ℝ) lies in the plane of the vectors,

𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘.
ƶ If 𝑎Ԧ bisects the angle between 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐,
Ԧ then :
JEE MAINS Mar 2021
Ԧ or 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆(𝑏Ԧ − 𝑐)
Solution: Angle bisector : 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆(𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐) Ԧ

ƶ 𝑗ƶ
𝑖+ ƶ 𝑗+4
𝑖+ ƶ 𝑘ƶ 𝜆
𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆 + = ƶ
[4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘]
2 3 2 3 2

Compare with 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝛽𝑘ƶ

2𝜆
=2 ⇒𝜆=3 2
3 2

⇒ 𝑎Ԧ = 4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘ƶ → Not in option

Angle bisector : 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆(𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐)

Ԧ

ƶ 𝑗ƶ
𝑖+ ƶ 𝑗+4
𝑖− ƶ 𝑘ƶ 𝜆
𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆 − = ƶ
(3𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ − 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 4𝑘)
2 3 2 3 2
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 ƶ
A vector 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝛽𝑘(𝛼, 𝛽, ∈ ℝ) lies in the plane of the vectors,

𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘.
ƶ If 𝑎Ԧ bisects the angle between 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐,
Ԧ then :
JEE MAINS Mar 2021
Ԧ or 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆(𝑏Ԧ − 𝑐)
Solution: Angle bisector : 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆(𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐) Ԧ

Angle bisector : 𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆(𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐)

Ԧ

ƶ 𝑗ƶ
𝑖+ ƶ 𝑗+4
𝑖− ƶ 𝑘ƶ 𝜆
𝑎Ԧ = 𝜆 − = ƶ
(3𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ − 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 4𝑘)
2 3 2 3 2

𝜆
= ƶ
(2𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ − 4𝑘)
3 2

Compare with 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝛽𝑘ƶ

4𝜆 3 2
⇒ =2 ⇒𝜆=
3 2 2

⇒ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ − 2𝑘ƶ ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ + 2 = 0
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 ƶ
A vector 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝛽𝑘(𝛼, 𝛽, ∈ ℝ) lies in the plane of the vectors,

𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘.
ƶ If 𝑎Ԧ bisects the angle between 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐,
Ԧ then :
JEE MAINS Mar 2021

A 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ + 2 = 0

B 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ + 4 = 0

C 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ − 2 = 0

D 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑘ƶ + 5 = 0

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 Shortest distance between 2 skew lines
Note:

● 2 lines in a plane if not ∥ must intersect & vice versa.

● Conversely, 2 intersecting or parallel lines must be

coplanar.

● In space, however we come across situation when

two lines neither intersect nor ∥ are known as skew
lines or non coplanar lines.

● Shortest distance always lie along the common

normal.
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 𝑁1
𝑝Ԧ
Two ways to determine the shortest distance

Method I 𝐴(𝑎)
Ԧ
𝐿1 𝑁2
𝐿1 ∶ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆𝑝Ԧ
𝑞Ԧ
𝐿2 ∶ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ + 𝜇𝑞Ԧ
Ԧ
𝐵(𝑏)
𝐿2
𝑛 = 𝑝Ԧ × 𝑞Ԧ

𝐴𝐵 = 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ

Shortest distance = | Projection of 𝐴𝐵 on 𝑛 |

𝐴𝐵 ⋅ 𝑛 Ԧ
𝑏−𝑎 ⋅ 𝑝×𝑞
= =
𝑛 Ԧ
𝑝×𝑞
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 Method II

Let 𝑁1 𝑁2 be the line perpendicular to 𝐿1 & 𝐿2 𝑁1

𝑝Ԧ
For a fixed 𝜆: 𝑁1 = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆𝑝Ԧ
𝐴(𝑎)
Ԧ
𝐿1 𝑁2
For a fixed 𝜇: 𝑁2 = 𝑏Ԧ + 𝜇𝑞Ԧ
𝑞Ԧ
𝑁2 − 𝑁1 = 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜇𝑞Ԧ − 𝜆𝑝Ԧ Ԧ
𝐿2 𝐵(𝑏)

𝑁2 − 𝑁1 ⋅ 𝑝Ԧ = 0
Two equation in 𝜆 & 𝜇
𝑁2 − 𝑁1 ⋅ 𝑞Ԧ = 0

(Two linear equations to get the unique values of 𝜆 and 𝜇)

𝑆. 𝐷 = 𝑁2 − 𝑁1
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 Method II

Let 𝑁1 𝑁2 be the line perpendicular to 𝐿1 & 𝐿2 𝑁1

𝑝Ԧ
𝑁1 = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆𝑝Ԧ
𝐴(𝑎)
Ԧ
𝐿1 𝑁2
𝑁2 = 𝑏Ԧ + 𝜇𝑞Ԧ
𝑞Ԧ
𝑁2 − 𝑁1 ⋅ 𝑝Ԧ = 0 Ԧ
𝐿2 𝐵(𝑏)

𝑁2 − 𝑁1 ⋅ 𝑞Ԧ = 0

Once position vectors of 𝑁1 and 𝑁2 are known,

We can also determine the equation to the line of shortest

distance and the shortest distance between lines :

𝑑 = 𝑁2 − 𝑁1
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 Find the shortest distance between the two lines whose vector equations are
given by: 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ + 𝜆 2𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘ƶ and 𝑟Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘ƶ + 𝜇 3𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘ƶ

Solution:

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 Find the shortest distance between the two lines whose vector equations are
given by: 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ + 𝜆 2𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘ƶ and 𝑟Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘ƶ + 𝜇 3𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘ƶ

Solution: 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ + 𝜆 2𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘ƶ

𝑎1 𝑏1

𝑟Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘ƶ + 𝜇 3𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘ƶ

𝑎2 𝑏2

𝑎2 −𝑎1 ⋅ 𝑏1 ×𝑏2
𝑎2 − 𝑎1 = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ 𝑆𝐷 =
𝑏1 ×𝑏2

𝑖Ƹ 𝑗Ƹ 𝑘෠
𝑏1 × 𝑏2 = 2 3 4 = 𝑖Ƹ 15 − 16 − 𝑗Ƹ 10 − 12 + 𝑘෠ 8 − 9 = −𝑖Ƹ + 2𝑗Ƹ − 𝑘෠
3 4 5

𝑏1 × 𝑏2 = −1 2 + 22 + −1 2 = 6
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 Find the shortest distance between the two lines whose vector equations are
given by: 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ + 𝜆 2𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘ƶ and 𝑟Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘ƶ + 𝜇 3𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘ƶ

Solution: 𝑎2 −𝑎1 ⋅ 𝑏1 ×𝑏2

𝑆𝐷 =
𝑏1 ×𝑏2

𝑏1 × 𝑏2 = 6

𝑎2 − 𝑎1 = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ

𝑏1 × 𝑏2 = −𝑖Ƹ + 2𝑗Ƹ − 𝑘෠

𝑎2 − 𝑎1 ⋅ 𝑏2 × 𝑏1 = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ ⋅ −𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ

= 1 × −1 + 2 × 2 + 2 × −1 = 1

1 1
⇒𝑑= =
6 6
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 Given a tetrahedron 𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶 where 𝐴𝐵 = 12, 𝐶𝑂 = 6. If the shortest
𝜋
distance between 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐶𝑂 is 8 and angle between them is ,
6
then find the volume of 𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶.

Solution:

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 Given a tetrahedron 𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶 where 𝐴𝐵 = 12, 𝐶𝑂 = 6. If the shortest
𝜋
distance between 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐶𝑂 is 8 and angle between them is ,
6
then find the volume of 𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶.

Solution: 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ = 12 𝑐Ԧ = 6 𝑂

𝑐Ԧ
Vector equation of 𝐶𝑂: 𝑟Ԧ = 𝜆𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ
𝑏Ԧ 6
Vector equation of 𝐴𝐵: 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜇 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ
𝐴
𝐶
𝑎 − 0 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑏 − 𝑎 Ԧ
𝑎⋅ 𝑐×𝑏− Ԧ
𝑐×𝑎 12
8= = 𝜋
𝑐Ԧ × 𝑏 − 𝑎 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏 − 𝑎 sin
6
𝐵
Ԧ
𝑎⋅ 𝑐×𝑏 −0 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
⇒8= =
𝑐Ԧ 𝑏 − 𝑎 sin 𝜃 6 ×6

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
∴ = 8 × 6 = 48
6

∴ Required volume = 48 units

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 Shortest distance between 2 skew lines

Note

● To determine whether lines are skew or intersecting :

If shortest distance = 0

⇒ Then the lines are intersecting and hence coplanar.

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 ƶ
Determine whether the following pair of lines intersect, 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝜆(2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘)
ƶ
and 𝑟Ԧ = 4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝜇(𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘).

Solution: 𝐿1 ∶ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝜆 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘ƶ 𝐿2 ∶ 𝑟Ԧ = 4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝜇 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ .

𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑎2 𝑏2

The two lines will intersect if and only if 𝑑 = 0.

𝑖ƶ 𝑗ƶ 𝑘ƶ 𝑎2 −𝑎1 ⋅ 𝑏1 ×𝑏2
𝑏1 × 𝑏2 = 2 0 1 = −𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ
Ԧ Ԧ 𝑆𝐷 =
𝑏1 ×𝑏2
1 1 −1

𝑎Ԧ2 − 𝑎Ԧ1 = 3𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ

∴ 𝑎Ԧ2 − 𝑎Ԧ𝑙 ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ𝑙 × 𝑏Ԧ2 = 3𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ ⋅ −𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ

= −1 3 + 3 1 + 2 0 = 0

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 ƶ
Determine whether the following pair of lines intersect, 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝜆(2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘)
ƶ
and 𝑟Ԧ = 4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝜇(𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘).

Solution: 𝐿1 ∶ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝜆 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘ƶ 𝐿2 ∶ 𝑟Ԧ = 4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝜇 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ .

𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑎2 𝑏2

𝑎Ԧ2 − 𝑎Ԧ1 = 3𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ

The two lines will intersect if and only if 𝑑 = 0.

𝑎2 −𝑎1 ⋅ 𝑏1 ×𝑏2
𝑆𝐷 =
𝑏1 ×𝑏2
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ2 − 𝑎Ԧ1 ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ1 × 𝑏Ԧ2 = 0

3ƶ 1ƶ 0
𝑎2 − 𝑎1 Ԧ Ԧ
⋅ 𝑏1 × 𝑏2 = 2 0 1 = 3 −1 − 1 −3 + 0 = 0
1 1 −1

∴ Shortest distance = 0

Hence, the given lines intersect.

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 Shortest distance between 2 skew lines

Note

● To determine whether lines are skew or intersecting

and find the intersection point if exists :

Take points on line 𝐿1 and line 𝐿2 , and equate them.

If all the equation satisfies, then they are intersecting

and there exists a point of intersection.

෠
By equating the coefficients of 𝑖,Ƹ 𝑗Ƹ and 𝑘.

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 Determine whether the following pair of lines intersect, and find the point
ƶ and 𝑟Ԧ = 4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝜇(𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘).
of intersection if it exists. 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝜆(2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘) ƶ

Solution: If shortest distance = 0, then lines are intersecting.

𝐿1
A general point on line 𝐿1 for a particular 𝜆

𝑎1 = 2𝜆 + 1 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑗Ƹ + 𝜆𝑘෠
𝐿2
A general point on line 𝐿2 for a particular 𝜇

𝑎2 = 4 + 𝜇 𝑖Ƹ + 2 + 𝜇 𝑗Ƹ − 𝜇𝑘෠

Since line intersects, 𝑎1 = 𝑎2

2𝜆 + 1 = 4 + 𝜇

1=2+𝜇 𝜆 = 1, 𝜇 = −1

𝜆 = −𝜇

Return to Top Then, Point of intersection = 3, 1, 1

 Computing distance between two parallel lines
Ԧ
𝐿1 ∶ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ + 𝜆𝑏, 𝐿2 ∶ 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ + 𝜇𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ
𝐴 𝑎Ԧ
Projection of 𝐴𝐶 on 𝑏Ԧ = 𝐴𝐶 ⋅ 𝑏෠ = 𝐶𝐷 𝐿1

⇒ 𝐶𝐷 = 𝐴𝐶 ⋅ 𝑏෠

In Δ 𝐴𝐶𝐷
𝐶 𝑐Ԧ 𝐷 𝐵 𝑏Ԧ 𝐿2
𝐴𝐷2 = 𝐴𝐶 2 − 𝐶𝐷2
𝑏Ԧ
2
𝐴𝐷 = Shortest Distance = 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑐Ԧ 2 − 𝐴𝐶 ⋅ 𝑏෠

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 Let 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ be two non-zero vectors perpendicular to each other and |𝑎| Ԧ
Ԧ = |𝑏|.
Ԧ = |𝑎|,
If |𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏| Ԧ then the angle between the vectors (𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + (𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏))
Ԧ and 𝑎Ԧ is
equal to:
JEE Main Mar 2021
Solution:
1
A sin−1
3
𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ , 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ , 𝑎Ԧ ⊥ 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ |𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏|
Ԧ = |𝑎|
Ԧ
1
B cos−1
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ |𝑏Ԧ |sin 90∘ = |𝑎| Ԧ = 1 = |𝑎|
Ԧ ⇒ |𝑏| Ԧ 3

𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏Ԧ are mutually perpendicular unit vectors. C cos−1

1
2

Let 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ, 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑗ƶ ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑘ƶ 1
D sin−1
6
𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑗Ƹ + 𝑘෠

ƶ
(𝑖+𝑗+ ƶ 𝑖ƶ
𝑘)∙ 1
cos 𝜃 = =
3 1 3

1
⇒ 𝜃 = cos −1
3
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 Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ be three-unit vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ = 0. If 𝜆 = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ
Let 𝑎,
and 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎,
Ԧ then the ordered pair, 𝜆, 𝑑Ԧ is equal to:
JEE Main Jan 2020
3
A , 3𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
2

3
B 2
, 3𝑎Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ

3
C − , 3𝑎Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ
2

3
D − , 3 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
2

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 Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ be three-unit vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ = 0. If 𝜆 = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ
Let 𝑎,
and 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎,
Ԧ then the ordered pair, 𝜆, 𝑑Ԧ is equal to:
JEE Main Jan 2020
Solution: 𝜆 = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ

2
𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ = 0 ⇒ |𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐|
Ԧ = 0 ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ =0

⇒ 3 + 2 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 0
−3
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ =
2

−3
⇒ 𝜆=
2

𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ = 0 cross product with 𝑏Ԧ

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 0 + 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 0 ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = −𝑐Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ

Cross product with 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ

𝑑Ԧ = 3 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
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 Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ be three-unit vectors such that 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ = 0. If 𝜆 = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ
Let 𝑎,
and 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎,
Ԧ then the ordered pair, 𝜆, 𝑑Ԧ is equal to:
JEE Main Jan 2020
3
A , 3𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
2

3
B 2
, 3𝑎Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ

3
C − , 3𝑎Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ
2

3
D − , 3 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
2

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