22.

VECTORS AND THEIR PROPERTIES

In our daily life, we generally come across two types of quantities, namely
scalars and vectors.
SCALARS A quantity that has magnitude only is known as a scalar.
Examples Each of the quantities mass, length, time, temperature,
density, speed, etc., is a scalar.
VECTORS A quantity that has magnitude as well as direction is called a vector.
Examples Each of the quantities force, velocity, acceleration and
momentum is a vector.
However, we define a vector as given below.
‘A directed line segment is called a vector.’
A directed line segment with initial point A and the terminal point B, is
¾®
the vector denoted by AB.
¾® ¾®
The magnitude of AB is denoted by|AB|.
REMARK We usually denote a vector by a single letter with an arrow on it and
its magnitude is denoted by this letter only.
¾® ® ¾® ®
Thus, AB = a and|AB|=|a|= a.
® ® ^
UNIT VECTOR A vector a is called a unit vector if| a | = 1 and it is denoted by a.
® ®
EQUAL VECTORS Two vectors a and b are said to be equal if they have the same
magnitude and the same direction regardless of the positions of their initial points.
NEGATIVE OF A VECTOR A vector having the same magnitude as that of a given
® ® ®
vector a and the direction opposite to that of a is called the negative of a , to be denoted
®
by – a .
¾® ® ¾® ®
Thus, if AB = a then BA = - a .
ZERO OR NULL VECTOR A vector whose initial and terminal points coincide is called
®
a zero vector, denoted by 0 .
Clearly, the magnitude of a zero vector is 0 but it cannot be assigned a
definite direction.
¾® ®
Thus, AA = 0.

994
 Vectors and their Properties 995

COINITIAL VECTORS Two or more vectors having the same initial point are called
coinitial vectors.
¾® ¾®
In the given figure, OA and OB are the two
coinitial vectors having the same initial point O.
COLLINEAR VECTORS Vectors having the same or
parallel supports are known as collinear vectors.
¾® ¾® ¾®
In the given figure AB, BC and AC are
collinear vectors.

LIKE VECTORS Collinear vectors having the same direction are called like vectors.
¾® ¾® ¾®
Thus, AB, BC and AC shown above are like vectors.

UNLIKE VECTORS Collinear vectors having opposite directions are known as unlike
vectors.
In the given figure, PQ | | RS.
¾® ¾®
\ PQ and SR are unlike vectors.

FREE VECTORS If the initial point of a vector is not specified then it is said to be a
free vector.

LOCALISED VECTORS A vector drawn parallel to a given vector through a specified

point as the initial point is called a localised vector.

COPLANAR VECTORS Three or more nonzero vectors lying in the same plane or
parallel to the same plane are said to be coplanar, otherwise they are called
noncoplanar.

POSITION VECTOR OF A POINT Let O be the origin and let A be a point such that
¾® ® ®
OA = a , then we say that the position vector of A is a .

SOLVED EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1 Classify the following measures as scalars and vectors:

(i) 40 seconds (ii) 100 m 2 (iii) 30 gm/cm 3
(iv) 60 km/hr (v) 56 m/s towards south
SOLUTION (i) 40 seconds represents time, which is scalar.
(ii) 100 m 2 represents an area, which is scalar.
(iii) 30 gm/cm 3 represents density, which is scalar.
(iv) 60 km/hr represents speed, which is scalar.
(v) 56 m/s towards south represents velocity, which is a vector.
996 Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12

EXAMPLE 2 Represent graphically a displacement of 50 km, 60° west of north.

¾®
SOLUTION The vector OA given below represents a displacement of 50 km,
60° west of north.

VECTOR ADDITION
® ® ¾®
Let a and b be any two vectors. Take any point O and draw segments OA and
¾® ¾® ® ¾® ® ¾®
AB such that OA = a and AB = b . Join OB. Then, OB is called the sum, or
® ®
resultant of a and b .

® ® ¾® ¾® ¾®
\ ( a + b ) = OA + AB = OB.

TRIANGLE LAW OF ADDITION OF VECTORS

¾® ¾® ® ®
In a COAB, if OA and AB represent a and b
¾® ® ®
respectively, then OB represents ( a + b ).
This is known as Triangle Law of Addition of Vectors.

PARALLELOGRAM LAW OF ADDITION OF VECTORS

¾® ¾® ® ®
In a | |gm OABC, if OA and AB represent a and b
¾® ® ®
respectively, then OB represents ( a + b ).

This is known as Parallelogram Law of Addition

of Vectors.
 Vectors and their Properties 997

Laws of Addition of Vectors

THEOREM 1 (Commutative Law) Vector addition is commutative,
® ® ® ®
i.e., a + b = b + a .
® ® ¾® ¾®
PROOF Let a and b be the given vectors represented by OA and AB
respectively. Complete the parallelogram OABC.
¾® ¾® ®
Then, OC = AB = b
¾® ¾® ®
and CB = OA = a .
® ® ¾® ¾® ¾®
\ a + b = OA + AB = OB
® ® ¾® ¾® ¾®
and b + a = OC + CB = OB .
® ® ® ®
Hence, a + b = b + a .
THEOREM 2 (Associative Law) Vector addition is associative,
® ® ® ® ® ®
i.e., ( a + b ) + c = a + ( b + c ).
¾® ® ¾® ® ¾® ®
PROOF Let OA = a , AB = b and BC = c .
Join OB , OC and AC.
® ® ® ¾® ¾® ¾®
( a + b ) + c = (OA + AB) + BC
¾® ¾® ¾® ¾® ¾®
= (OB + BC) [Q OA + AB = OB ]
¾®
= OC
® ® ® ¾® ¾® ¾®
a + ( b + c ) = OA + ( AB + BC)
¾® ¾® ¾® ¾® ¾®
= OA + AC [Q AB + BC = AC]
¾®
= OC
® ® ® ® ® ®
\ ( a + b ) + c = a + ( b + c ).
®
THEOREM 3 (Existence of Additive Identity) For any vector a , prove that
® ® ® ® ®
a + 0 = 0 + a = a.
¾® ® ® ® ¾® ¾® ¾® ®
PROOF Let OA = a . Then, a + 0 = OA + AA = OA = a
® ® ¾® ¾® ¾® ®
and, 0 + a = OO + OA = OA = a.
® ® ® ® ®
\ a + 0 = 0 + a = a.
®
REMARK The vector 0 is called the additive identity for vectors.
998 Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12

®
THEOREM 4 (Existence of Additive Inverse) For any vector a , prove that
® ® ® ® ®
a + ( - a ) = ( - a ) + a = 0.
¾® ® ¾® ®
PROOF Let OA = a . Then, AO = - a .
® ® ¾® ¾® ¾® ®
\ a + ( - a ) = OA + AO = OO = 0
® ® ¾® ¾® ¾® ®
and, ( - a ) + a = AO + OA = AA = 0 .
® ® ® ® ®
Hence, a + ( - a ) = ( - a ) + a = 0 .
® ®
REMARK The vector - a is called the additive inverse of a .
® ®
DIFFERENCE OF TWO VECTORS For any two vectors a and b , we define
® ® ® ®
a - b = a + ( - b ).
¾® ® ¾® ® ¾® ®
Let OA = a and OB = b . Then, BO = - b .
® ® ® ®
\ ( a - b) = a + (- b )
¾® ¾® ¾® ¾® ¾®
= OA + BO = BO + OA = BA
¾® ¾® ¾®
\ (OA - OB) = BA .
In a similar way, we can prove that
¾® ¾® ¾®
(OB - OA) = AB .

AN IMPORTANT REMARK:
¾®
(i) AB = (position vector of B) – (position vector of A)
¾®
(ii) BA = (position vector of A) – (position vector of B)

Scalar Multiplication of a Vector

® ®
The scalar multiple of a by a scalar k is the vector k a such that
® ®
(i) | k a | = | k || a |,
® ®
(ii) direction of k a is the same as that of a , when k > 0 and opposite to that
®
of a when k < 0.
®
Examples (i) 5 a is the vector whose magnitude is 5 times the magnitude of
® ®
a and whose direction is the same as that of a .
®
(ii) -2 a is the vector whose magnitude is 2 times the magnitude
® ®
of a and whose direction is opposite to that of a .
 Vectors and their Properties 999

Components of a Vector
^ ^ ^
Let O be the origin and let P( x , y , z) be any point in space. Let i , j , k be unit
vectors along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis respectively. Let the position vector
®
of P be r .
® ^ ^ ^
Then, r = ( x i + y j + z k ).
This form of a vector is called its component form.
® ^ ^ ^
Here x , y , z are called the scalar components of r and x i , y j , z k are
called its vector components.
® ^ ^ ^
Also,| r | = | x i + y j + z k | = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 .

Direction Ratios and Direction Cosines of a Vector

® ^ ^ ^
Consider a vector r = a i + b j + c k.
®
Then, the numbers a , b , c are called the direction ratios of r .
®
Direction cosines of r are given by
a b c
, and ×
2 2 2 2 2 2
a +b +c a +b +c a + b 2 + c2
2

NOTE If l , m , n are the direction cosines of a vector then we always have

( l 2 + m 2 + n2) = 1.
REMARK If A( x1 , y1 , z1) and B( x 2 , y 2 , z2) be any two points in space then
¾®
direction ratios of AB are ( x 2 - x1), ( y 2 - y1), (z2 - z1) and direction
¾®
cosines of AB are
( x 2 - x1) ( y 2 - y1) (z2 - z1)
, , ,
r r r
where r = ( x 2 - x1) 2 + ( y 2 - y1) 2 + (z2 - z1) 2 .

SOLVED EXAMPLES

® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^ ® ®
EXAMPLE 1 Let a = a1 i + 3 j + a 3 k and b = 2 i + b2 j + k. If a = b , find the
values of a1 , b2 and a 3.
® ® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
SOLUTION a = b Û a1 i + 3 j + a 3 k = 2 i + b2 j + k
Û a1 = 2, b2 = 3 , a 3 = 1.
1000 Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12

® ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ® ® ® ®
EXAMPLE 2 Let a = 3 i + 2 j and b = 2 i + 3 j . Is| a | = | b |? Is a = b ?
SOLUTION We have
® ®
| a |= 3 2 + 22 = 13 and| b | = 22 + 3 2 = 13 .
® ®
\ | a | = | b |.
^ ^ ^ ^ ® ®
But, 3 i + 2 j ¹ 2 i + 3 j and therefore, a ¹ b .
® ^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 3 Find a unit vector in the direction of the vector a = i + 2 j + 3 k.
® ^ ^ ^ ®
SOLUTION a = i + 2 j + 3 k Þ | a | = 12 + 22 + 3 2 = 14.
®
Unit vector in the direction of a is given by
® ^ ^ ^
^ a( i + 2 j + 3 k) æ 1 ^ 2 ^ 3 ^ö
a= = = çç i + j + k÷ ×
® 14 è 14 14 14 ÷ø
|a|
EXAMPLE 4 Write a vector of magnitude 15 units in the direction of the vector
^ ^ ^
( i - 2 j + 2 k). [CBSE 2010]
® ^ ^ ^
SOLUTION Let a = ( i - 2 j + 2 k). Then,
®
a unit vector in the direction of a is given by
® ^ ^ ^
^ a ( i - 2 j + 2k) 1 ^ ^ ^
a= ®
= = ( i - 2 j + 2 k ).
2
1 + ( -2) + 2 2 2 3
| a|
®
\ a vector of magnitude 15 in the direction of a
1 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= 15 ´ ( i - 2 j + 2 k ) = (5 i - 10 j + 10 k ).
3
^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 5 Find a unit vector parallel to the sum of the vectors ( i + j + k ) and
^ ^ ^
( 2 i - 3 j + 5 k ). [CBSE 2012]
® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
SOLUTION Let a = ( i + j + k) and b = ( 2 i - 3 j + 5 k). Then,
® ® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
( a + b ) = ( i + j + k ) + ( 2 i - 3 j + 5 k ) = ( 3 i - 2 j + 6 k ).
® ®
Required unit vectors parallel to ( a + b ) are
^ ^ ^
( 3 i - 2 j + 6k) 1 ^ ^ ^
± = ± ( 3 i - 2 j + 6 k ).
2
3 + ( -2) + 6 7 2 2
 Vectors and their Properties 1001

® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 6 If a = ( i + j + k ), b = ( 4 i - 2 j + 3 k ) and c = ( i - 2 j + k ), find
a vector of magnitude 6 units which is parallel to the vector
® ® ®
( 2 a - b + 3 c ). [CBSE 2011C]
SOLUTION We have
® ® ® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
( 2 a - b + 3 c ) = 2( i + j + k ) - ( 4 i - 2 j + 3 k ) + 3( i - 2 j + k )
^ ^ ^
= ( 2 - 4 + 3) i + ( 2 + 2 - 6) j + ( 2 - 3 + 3) k
^ ^ ^
= ( i - 2 j + 2 k ).
® ® ®
Unit vectors parallel to ( 2 a - b + 3 c ) are
^ ^ ^
( i - 2 j + 2k) 1 ^ ^ ^
± =± ( i - 2 j + 2 k ).
2
1 + ( -2) + 2 2 2 3

Required vectors of magnitude 6 units are

ì 1 ^ ^ ^ ü ^ ^ ^
± í6 ´ ( i - 2 j + 2 k ) ý = ± 2( i - 2 j + 2 k ).
î 3 þ ¾®
EXAMPLE 7 Find a unit vector in the direction of AB, where A(1, 2, 3) and B( 4, 5 , 6)
are the given points.
SOLUTION We have
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
p.v. of A = ( i + 2 j + 3 k ) and p.v. of B = ( 4 i + 5 j + 6 k ).
¾®
\ AB = (p.v. of B) - (p.v. of A)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= ( 4 i + 5 j + 6 k ) - ( i + 2 j + 3 k ) = ( 3 i + 3 j + 3 k ), and
¾®
| AB | = 3 2 + 3 2 + 3 2 = 27 .
¾®
\ unit vector in the direction of AB
¾® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
AB ( 3 i + 3 j + 3 k ) 3( i + j + k ) ( i + j + k )
= ¾®
= = =
27 3 3 3
| AB |
æ 1 ^ 1 ^ 1 ^ö
= çç i + j + k÷ ×
è 3 3 3 ÷ø
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 8 For what value of a, the vectors ( 2 i - 3 j + 4 k ) and ( a i + 6 j - 8 k )
collinear? [CBSE 2011]

SOLUTION The given vectors are collinear only when

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
( a i + 6 j - 8 k ) = l( 2 i - 3 j + 4 k )
for some nonzero scalar l .
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Now, a i + 6 j - 8 k = 2l i - 3 l j + 4l k
1002 Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12

Û 2l = a, -3l = 6 and 4l = -8
a a
Û l = and l = -2 Û = -2 Û a = -4.
2 2
Hence, the given vectors are collinear when a = -4.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 9 Show that the points A( -2 i + 3 j + 5 k ), B( i + 2 j + 3 k ) and C(7 i - k )
are collinear. [CBSE 2009]

SOLUTION Clearly, we have

¾®
AB = (position vector of B) – (position vector of A)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= ( i + 2 j + 3 k ) - ( -2 i + 3 j + 5 k ) = ( 3 i - j - 2 k ).
¾®
BC = (position vector of C) – (position vector of B)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= (7 i - k ) - ( i + 2 j + 3 k ) = ( 6 i - 2 j - 4 k ).
¾® ¾® ¾® ¾®
\ AB = 2 BC , which shows that AB and BC are parallel vectors,
having a common end point B.
Hence, the points A, B and C are collinear.
^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 10 Write the direction cosines of the vector ( -2 i + j - 5 k ). [CBSE 2011]
® ^ ^ ^
SOLUTION The given vector is a = ( -2 i + j - 5 k ).
®
Direction ratios of a are –2, 1, –5.
®
| a|= ( -2 )2 + 12 + ( -5 )2 = 30 .
® -2 1 -5
Hence, the direction cosines of a are , , ×
30 30 30
^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 11 What is the cosine of the angle which the vector ( 2 i + j + k ) makes
with the y-axis? [CBSE 2010]
® ^ ^ ^
SOLUTION The given vector is a = ( 2 i + j + k ).
®
Direction ratios of a are 2 , 1, 1.
®
| a|= ( 2 )2 + 12 + 12 = 4 = 2 .
® 2 1 1
\ direction cosines of a are , , ×
2 2 2
®
Let a make angle b with the y-axis.
1
Then, clearly cos b = ×
2
 Vectors and their Properties 1003

^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 12 Find the value of p for which p( i + j + k ) is a unit vector. [CBSE 2009]
^ ^ ^
SOLUTION p( i + j + k ) is a unit vector
^ ^ ^ 2
Û p( i + j + k ) = 1 Û ( p 2 + p 2 + p 2) = 1

1 1
Û 3p2 = 1 Û p2 = Û p=± ×
3 3
EXAMPLE 13 If A(1, 2, - 3) and B( -1, - 2, 1) are the two given points in space then
¾® ¾®
find (i) the direction ratios of AB and (ii) the direction cosines of AB .
¾® ^ ^ ^
Express AB in terms of i , j and k .
¾®
SOLUTION (i) The direction ratios of AB are
( -1 - 1), ( -2 - 2), (1 + 3), i.e., –2, –4, 4.
¾®
(ii) |AB|= ( -2) 2 + ( -4) 2 + 42 = 36 = 6.
¾®
\ the direction cosines of AB are
-2 -4 4 -1 -2 2
, , , i.e., , , ×
6 6 6 3 3 3
¾®
1^ 2^ 2^
Clearly, AB = - i - j + k.
3 3 3
EXAMPLE 14 Find the scalar and vector components of the vector with initial point
A( 3 , - 1, 2) and terminal point B( -5 , 4, 3).
SOLUTION We have
¾®
AB = (position vector of B) – (position vector of A)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= ( -5 i + 4 j + 3 k ) - ( 3 i - j + 2 k ) = ( -8 i + 5 j + k ).
¾®
The scalar components of AB are –8, 5, 1.
¾® ^ ^ ^
The vector components of AB are -8 i , 5 j , k .
EXAMPLE 15 Write two different vectors having same magnitude.
® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
SOLUTION Consider the vectors a = 2 i + 3 j - 4 k and b = 4 i + 2 j + 3 k.
® ®
Clearly, a ¹ b .
® ®
But,|a|= 22 + 3 2 + ( -4) 2 = 29 and|b|= 42 + 22 + 3 2 = 29.
® ® ® ®
Thus, |a| = |b|and a ¹ b .
1004 Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12

EXAMPLE 16 Write two different vectors having same direction.

¾® ¾®
SOLUTION Clearly, 3 AB and 5 AB are two different vectors having the same
direction.
® ^ ^ ^
EXAMPLE 17 Show that the points with position vectors a = ( 3 i - 4 j - 4 k ),
® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
b = ( 2 i - j + k ) and c = ( i - 3 j - 5 k ) respectively, form the vertices of
a right-angled triangle.
SOLUTION We have
¾®
AB = (position vector of B) – (position vector of A)
® ® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= ( b - a ) = ( 2 i - j + k ) - ( 3 i - 4 j - 4 k)
^ ^ ^
= ( - i + 3 j + 5 k ).
¾®
BC = (position vector of C) – (position vector of B)
® ® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= ( c - b) = ( i - 3 j - 5 k ) - (2 i - j + k )
^ ^ ^
= ( - i - 2 j - 6 k ).
¾®
CA = (position vector of A) – (position vector of C)
® ® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= ( a - c) = ( 3 i - 4 j - 4 k) - ( i - 3 j - 5 k)
^ ^ ^
= ( 2 i - j + k ).
¾®
\ |AB|2 = {( -1) 2 + 3 2 + 5 2} = (1 + 9 + 25) = 35 ,
¾®
|BC|2 = {( -1) 2 + ( -2) 2 + ( -6) 2} = (1 + 4 + 36) = 41,
¾®
|CA|2 = {22 + ( -1) 2 + 12} = ( 4 + 1 + 1) = 6.
\ |AB|2 + |CA|2 = |BC|2 Þ AB 2 + CA 2 = BC 2.
Hence, CABC is right-angled at A.

Section Formulae
THEOREM 1 (Section Formula for Internal Division) Let A and B be two points with
® ®
position vectors a and b respectively and let P be a point dividing AB
¾® ®
internally in the ratio m : n. Let OP = r . Then, prove that
® ®
® (m b + n a )
r = ×
(m + n)
¾® ® ¾® ®
PROOF Let O be the origin. Then, OA = a and OB = b .
 Vectors and their Properties 1005

AP m
Let P be a point on AB such that = × Then,
PB n
AP m
=
PB n
Þ n × AP = m × PB
¾® ¾®
Þ n( AP) = m( PB )
¾® ¾® ¾® ¾®
Þ n(OP - OA) = m(OB - OP)
¾® ¾® ¾® ® ®
Þ (m + n) OP = m OB + n OA = m b + n a
® ® ® ®
¾® m b +n a ® (m b + n a )
Þ OP = Þ r = ×
(m + n) (m + n)

COROLLARY The position vector of the midpoint of the join of two points with
® ® 1 ® ®
position vectors a and b is ( a + b ).
2 ® ®
PROOF Let A and B be two points with position vectors a and b respectively.
Let P be the midpoint of AB.
Then, P divides AB in the ratio 1 : 1.
® ®
¾® (1 × b + 1 × a ) 1 ® ®
\ OP = = ( a + b ).
(1 + 1) 2

THEOREM 2 (Section Formula for External Division) Let A and B be two points with
® ®
position vectors a and b respectively and let P be a point dividing AB
¾® ®
externally in the ratio m : n. Let OP = r . Then, prove that
® ®
® (m b - n a )
r = ×
(m - n)
¾® ® ¾® ®
PROOF Let O be the origin. Then, OA = a and OB = b .
Let AB be produced to P such that AP : BP = m : n.
AP m
Now, =
BP n
¾® ¾®
Þ n × AP = m × BP Þ n × AP = m × BP
¾® ¾® ¾® ¾®
Þ n(OP - OA) = m(OP - OB)
¾® ¾® ¾® ® ®
Þ (m - n) OP = (m OB - n OA) = (m b - n a )
® ® ® ®
¾® (m b - n a ) ® (m b - n a )
Þ OP = Þ r = ×
(m - n) (m - n)
1006 Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12

SOLVED EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1 Find the position vector of a point R which divides the line joining the
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
points P( i + 2 j - k ) and Q( - i + j + k ) in the ratio 2 : 1, (i) internally
and (ii) externally.
® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
SOLUTION Here a = ( i + 2 j - k ) and b = ( - i + j + k ). Also, m = 2, n = 1.
(i) When R divides PQ internally in the ratio 2 : 1; then
® ®
(m b + n a )
position vector of R =
(m + n)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
2( - i + j + k ) + 1 × ( i + 2 j - k )
=
( 2 + 1)
^ ^ ^
( - i + 4 j + k)
= ×
3
(ii) When R divides PQ externally in the ratio 2 : 1; then
® ®
(m b - n a )
position vector of R =
(m - n)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
2( - i + j + k ) + 1 × ( i + 2 j - k )
=
( 2 - 1)
^ ^
= ( -3 i + 3 k ) ×
® ® ® ®
EXAMPLE 2 P and Q are two points with position vectors ( 3 a - 2 b ) and ( a + b )
respectively. Write the position vector of a point R which divides the line
segment PQ in the ratio 2 : 1 externally. [CBSE 2013]

SOLUTION The position vectors of the given points are

® ® ® ®
P( 3 a - 2 b ) and Q( a + b ).
We have to divide PQ in the ratio 2 : 1 externally at the point R.
The position vector of R is
® ® ® ®
2( a + b ) - 1 × ( 3 a - 2 b ) ® ®
= ( - a + 4 b ).
( 2 - 1)
® ®
Hence, the position vector of R is ( - a + 4 b ).

EXAMPLE 3 Find the position vector of a point R which divides the line segment
joining the points A( 2, - 3 , 4) and B( 3 , 1, - 2) externally in the ratio
3 : 2.
 Vectors and their Properties 1007

^ ^ ^
SOLUTION The position vector of A is ( 2 i - 3 j + 4 k ).
^ ^ ^
The position vector of B is ( 3 i + j - 2 k ).
Let R divide AB externally in the ratio 3 : 2.
Then, position vector of R
æ ® ®ö ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
ç 3 b - 2 a ÷ 3( 3 i + j - 2 k ) - 2( 2 i - 3 j + 4 k )
=ç ÷ =
ç 3-2 ÷ 1
è ø
^ ^ ^
= (5 i + 9 j - 14 k ).
^ ^ ^
Hence, the position vector of R is (5 i + 9 j - 14 k ).
EXAMPLE 4 Find the position vector of the mid-point of the vector joining the points
P( 2, 3 , 4) and Q( 4, 1, - 2). [CBSE 2011]

SOLUTION The position vectors of the given points P and Q are

® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
a = ( 2 i + 3 j + 4 k ) and b = ( 4 i + j - 2 k ) respectively.

EXAMPLE 5 Show that the three 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.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
SOLUTION The position vectors of A, B and C are ( i - 2 j - 8 k ), (5 i - 2 k ) and
^ ^ ^
(11 i + 3 j + 7 k ) respectively.
¾®
\ AB = (position vector of B) – (position vector of A)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= (5 i - 2 k ) - ( i - 2 j + 8 k ) = ( 4 i + 2 j + 6 k ).
¾®
BC = (position vector of C) – (position vector of B)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= (11 i + 3 j + 7 k ) - (5 i - 2 k ) = ( 6 i + 3 j + 9 k ), and
¾®
AC = (position vector of C) – (position vector of A)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= (11 i + 3 j + 7 k ) - ( i - 2 j - 8 k ) = (10 i + 5 j + 15 k ).
¾® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Now, AB = ( 4 i + 2 j + 6 k ) = 2( 2 i + j + 3 k )
2 ^ ^ ^ 2 ¾®
= (10 i + 5 j + 15 k ) = AC.
5 5
¾® ¾®
\ AB and AC are parallel vectors having same end point A.
Hence, the points A , B and C are collinear.
¾® ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Also, AB = ( 4 i + 2 j + 6 k ) = 2( 2 i + j + 3 k )
2 ^ ^ ^ 2 ¾®
= ( 6 i + 3 j + 9 k ) = BC .
3 3
1008 Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12

¾®
|AB| 2
\ ¾®
= ×
3
|BC|
Hence, B divides AC in the ratio 2 : 3.

EXERCISE 22
1. Write down the magnitude of each of the following vectors:
® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
(i) a = i + 2 j + 5 k (ii) b = 5 i - 4 j - 3 k
® æ 1 ^ 1 ^ 1 ^ö ® ^ ^ ^
(iii) c = çç i - j + k÷ (iv) d = ( 2 i + 3 j - 5 k)
è 3 3 3 ÷ø
2. Find a unit vector in the direction of the vector:
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
(i) ( 3 i + 4 j - 5 k ) (ii) ( 3 i - 2 j + 6 k ) [CBSE 2012]
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
(iii) ( i + k ) (iv) ( 2 i + j + 2 k ) [CBSE 2009]
® ^ ^ ^ ®
3. If a = ( 2 i - 4 j + 5 k ) then find the value of l so that l a may be a unit
vector.
® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
4. If a = ( - i + j - k ) and b = ( 2 i - j + 2 k ) then find the unit vector in the
® ®
direction of ( a + b ).
® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
5. If a = ( 3 i + j - 5 k ) and b = ( i + 2 j - k ) then find a unit vector in the
® ®
direction of ( a - b ).
® ^ ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ^
6. If a = ( i + 2 j - 3 k ) and b = ( 2 i + 4 j + 9 k ) then find a unit vector parallel
® ®
to ( a + b ). [CBSE 2008]

7. Find a vector of magnitude 9 units in the direction of the vector

^ ^ ^
( -2 i + j + 2 k ). [CBSE 2010]

8. Find a vector of magnitude 8 units in the direction of the vector

^ ^ ^
(5 i - j + 2 k ).
9. Find a vector of magnitude 21 units in the direction of the vector
^ ^ ^
( 2 i - 3 j + 6 k ). [CBSE 2014]
® ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ® ^ ^ ® ® ®
10. If a = ( i - 2 j ), b = ( 2 i - 3 j ) and c = ( 2 i + 3 k ), find ( a + b + c ).
[CBSE 2012]
 Vectors and their Properties 1009

11. If A(–2, 1, 2) and B(2, –1, 6) are two given points, find a unit vector in the
¾®
direction of AB.
12. Find the direction ratios and direction cosines of the vector
® ^ ^ ^
a = (5 i - 3 j + 4 k ).
13. Find the direction ratios and the direction cosines of the vector joining the
points A(2, 1, –2) and B(3, 5, –4).
^ ^ ^
14. Show that the points A, B and C having position vectors ( i + 2 j + 7 k ),
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
( 2 i + 6 j + 3 k ) and ( 3 i + 10 j - 3 k ) respectively, are collinear.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
15. The position vectors of the points A, B and C are ( 2 i + j - k ), ( 3 i - 2 j + k )
^ ^ ^
and ( i + 4 j - 3 k ) respectively. Show that the points A, B and C are collinear.
16. If the position vectors of the vertices A, B and C of a A ABC be
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
( i + 2 j + 3 k ), ( 2 i + 3 j + k ) and ( 3 i + j + 2 k ) respectively, prove that
A ABC is equilateral.
^ ^ ^
17. Show that the points A, B and C having position vectors ( 3 i - 4 j - 4 k ),
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
( 2 i - j + k ) and ( i - 3 j - 5 k ) respectively, form the vertices of a
right-angled triangle.
18. Using vector method, show that the points A(1, –1, 0), B(4, –3, 1) and
C( 2, - 4, 5) are the vertices of a right-angled triangle.
19. Find the position vector of the point which divides the join of the points
® ® ® ®
( 2 a - 3 b ) and ( 3 a - 2 b ) (i) internally and (ii) externally in the ratio 2 : 3.
® ® ® ®
20. The position vectors of two points A and B are ( 2 a + b ) and ( a - 3 b )
respectively. Find the position vector of a point C which divides AB
externally in the ratio 1 : 2. Also, show that A is the mid-point of the line
segment CB. [CBSE 2010]

21. Find the position vector of a point R which divides the line joining
A( -2, 1, 3) and B( 3 , 5 , - 2) in the ratio 2 : 1 (i) internally (ii) externally.
22. Find the position vector of the mid-point of the vector joining the points
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
A( 3 i + 2 j + 6 k ) and B( i + 4 j - 2 k ).
¾® ^ ^ ^
23. If AB = ( 2 i + j - 3 k ) and A(1, 2, - 1) is the given point, find the
coordinates of B.
¾®
24. Write a unit vector in the direction of PQ , where P and Q are the points
(1, 3 , 0) and (4, 5, 6) respectively. [CBSE 2014]
1010 Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12

ANSWERS (EXERCISE 22)

1. (i) 30 (ii) 5 2 (iii) 1 (iv) 10

æ 3 ^ 4 ^ 5 ^ö æ 3 ^ 2^ 6^ö
2. (i) çç i + j - k÷ (ii) çç i - j + k ÷÷
è 5 2 5 2 5 2 ÷ø è7 7 7 ø
æ 1 ^ 1 ^ö æ 2 ^ 1 ^ 2 ^ö
(iii) çç i + k÷ (iv) çç i + j + k ÷÷
è 2 2 ÷ø è3 3 3 ø
1 1 ^ ^
3. ± 4. ( i + k)
3 5 2
1 ^ ^ ^ 1 ^ ^ ^
5. (2 i - j - 4 k) 6. ± ( i + 2 j + 2 k)
21 3
^ ^ ^ 8 ^ ^ ^
7. ( - 6 i + 3 j + 6 k ) 8. (5 i - j + 2 k )
30
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
9. ( 6 i - 9 j + 18 k ) 10. (5 i - 5 j + 3 k )
æ 2 ^ 1 ^ 2 ^ö æ 1 -3 4 ö
11. çç i - j + k ÷÷ 12. (5 , - 3 , 4), ç , , ÷
è3 3 3 ø è 2 5 2 5 2ø
æ 1 4 -2 ö 12 ® 13 ® ®
13. (1, 4, - 2), ç , , ÷ 19. (i) a - b (ii) -5 b
è 21 21 21 ø 5 5
® ® æ 4 ^ 11 ^ 1 ^ ö ^ ^ ^
20. ( 3 a + 5 b ) 21. (i) çç i + j - k ÷÷ (ii) ( 8 i + 9 j - 7 k )
è3 3 3 ø
^ ^ ^ 1 ^ ^ ^
22. P( 2 i + 3 j + 2 k ) 23. (3, 3, –4) 24. ( 3 i + 2 j + 6k)
7

HINTS TO SOME SELECTED QUESTIONS

¾® ¾® ¾®
16. Show that| AB|=|BC |=|CA|.
¾® ¾® ¾® ® ¾® ¾® ¾®
17. Show that AB + BC + CA = 0 and| AB|2 + |CA|2 =|BC |2 .
\ C ABC is right angled at A.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
18. The position vectors of A, B, C are ( i - j ), ( 4 i - 3 j + k ) and ( 2 i - 4 j + 5 k )
¾® ¾® ¾® ® ¾® ¾® ¾®
respectively. Show that AB + BC + CA = 0 and| AB|2 + |BC |2 =|CA|2 .
\ C ABC is right angled at B.
¾® ^ ^ ^
23. Let O be the origin. Then, OA = ( i + 2 j - k ).
¾® ¾® ¾® ¾® ¾® ¾®
\ AB = ( OB - OA ) Þ OB = ( AB + OA ).