26.

Scalar Triple Product

Evaluate the following :

Answer

Formula: –

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

we have

using Formula(i) and (iii)

therefore, using Formula (ii)

1 B. Question

Evaluate the following :

Answer

Formula: -

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

Given: -

we have

using Formula (i)

using Formula (ii)

2 A. Question

Find when

and

Answer

Formula: -

(i)

(ii)

Given: -

using Formula(i)

now, using

= 2( – 1 – 0) + 3( – 1 + 3)

=–2+6

=4

therefore,

2 B. Question

Find when

and

Answer
Formula: -

(i) If and then,

(ii)

Given: -

now, using

= 1(1 + 1) + 2(2 + 0) + 3(2 – 0)

= 2 + 4 + 6 = 12

therefore,

3 A. Question

Find the volume of the parallelepiped whose coterminous edges are represented by the vectors:

Answer

Formula : -

(i) if

(ii)

Given: -

we know that the volume of parallelepiped whose three adjacent edges are
we have

now, using

= 2(4 – 1) – 3(2 + 3) + 4( – 1 – 6)

= – 37

therefore, the volume of the parallelepiped is

3 B. Question

Find the volume of the parallelepiped whose coterminous edges are represented by the vectors:

Answer

Formula : -

(i) if and then,

(ii)

Given: -

we know that the volume of parallelepiped whose three adjacent edges are

we have

now, using

= 2( – 4 – 1) – 3( – 2 + 3) + 4( – 1 – 6)
= – 35

therefore, the volume of the parallelepiped is

3 C. Question

Find the volume of the parallelepiped whose coterminous edges are represented by the vectors:

Answer

Formula : -

Given: -

we know that the volume of parallelepiped whose three adjacent edges are

we have

now, using

= 11(26 – 0) + 0 + 0 = 286

therefore, the volume of the parallelepiped is[a⃗ b⃗ c⃗] = |286| = 286 cubic unit.

3 D. Question

Find the volume of the parallelepiped whose coterminous edges are represented by the vectors:

Answer

Formula: -
 and then,

Given: -

we know that the volume of parallelepiped whose three adjacent edges are

is equal to .

we have

now, using

= 1(1 – 2) – 1( – 1 – 1) + 1(2 + 1)

=4

therefore, the volume of the parallelepiped is

= 4 cubic unit.

4 A. Question

Show that each of the following triads of vectors is coplanar :

Answer

Formula : –
(iii)Three vectors a ⃗,b ⃗, and c ⃗are coplanar if and only if

Given: -

we know that three vector are coplanar if their scalar triple product is zero

we have

using

= 1(10 – 42) – 2(15 – 35) – 1(18 – 10)

= 0.

Hence, the Given vector are coplanar.

4 B. Question

Show that each of the following triads of vectors is coplanar :

Answer

Formula : -

Given: -

we know that three vector are coplanar if their scalar triple product is zero
we have

now, using

= – 4(12 + 13) + 6( – 3 + 24) – 2(1 + 32)

=0

hence, the Given vector are coplanar.

4 C. Question

Show that each of the following triads of vectors is coplanar :

Answer

Formula : -

and then,

(iii) Three vectors are coplanar if and only if a⃗.(b⃗×c⃗) = 0

Given: -

we know that three vector a⃗,b⃗,c⃗ are coplanar if their scalar triple product is zero

we have

now, using
= 1(15 – 12) + 2( – 10 + 4) + 3(6 – 3)

= 3 – 12 + 9 = 0

5 A. Question

Find the value of λ so that the following vectors are coplanar.

Answer

Formula : -

Given: -

we know that vector are coplanar if their scalar triple product is zero

we have

now, using

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

⇒0=λ–1+3λ–2–λ

⇒0=3λ–3
⇒λ=1

5 B. Question

Find the value of λ so that the following vectors are coplanar.

Answer

Formula : -

Given: -

we know that vector are coplanar if their scalar triple product is zero

we have

now, using

⇒ 0 = 2(10 + 3λ) + 1(5 + 3λ) + 1(λ – 2λ)

⇒ 0 = 8 λ + 25

5 C. Question

Find the value of λ so that the following vectors are coplanar.

Answer

Formula : -
Given: -

we know that vector are coplanar if their scalar triple product is zero

we have

now, using

⇒ 0 = 1(2 λ – 2) – 2(6 – 1) – 3(6 – λ)

⇒ 0 = 5 λ – 30

⇒λ=6

5 D. Question

Find the value of λ so that the following vectors are coplanar.

Answer

Formula : -

and then,
Given: -

we know that vector are coplanar if their scalar triple product is zero

we have

now, using

⇒ 0 = 1(0 + 5) – 3(0 – 5λ) + 0

⇒ 0 = 5 + 15λ

6. Question

Show that the four points having position vectors are not
coplanar.

Answer

Formula : -

and then,

and then

Given: -
The four points are coplaner if vector AB⃗,AC⃗,AD⃗ are coplanar.

now, using

= 10(100 + 72) + 12( – 60 – 24) – 4( – 72 + 40) = 840

≠0.

hence the point are not coplanar

7. Question

Show that the points A( – 1, 4, – 3), B(3, 2, – 5), C( – 3, 8, – 5) and D( – 3, 2, 1) are coplanar.

Answer

Formula: -

Given: -

AB = position vector of B - position vector of A

AC = position vector of c - position vector of A

AD = position vector of c - position vector of A

The four pint are coplanar if the vector are coplanar.

thus,
now, using

= 4(16 - 4) + 2( - 8 - 4) - 2( - 4 + 8) = 0

hence proved.

8. Question

Show that four points whose position vectors are are coplanar.

Answer

Formula : -

and then

(iii) Three vectors are coplanar if and only if

(iv) If and then,

let

The four points are coplanar if the vector are coplanar.

now, using
= 10(100 + 12) + 12( – 60 – 24) – 4( – 12 + 40) = 0.

hence the point are coplanar

9. Question

Find the value of for which the four points with position vectors and
are coplanar.

Answer

Formula : -

and then

(iii) Three vectors are coplanar if and only if

(iv) if and then,

Given: -

The four points are coplaner if vector AB⃗,AC⃗,AD⃗ are coplanar.

now, using

⇒ 4(50 – 25) – 6(15 + 20) + (λ + 1)(15 + 40) = 0.

hence the point are coplanar

10. Question

Prove that : -

Answer

Formula: -

taking L.H.S

using Formula (i)

using Formula(ii)

L.H.S = R.H.S

11. Question

and are the position vectors of points A, B and C respectively, prove that : is a
vector perpendicular to the plane of triangle ABC.

Answer

if represents the sides AB,

if represent the sides BC,

if respresent the sidesAC of triangle ABC

is perpendicular to plane of triangle ABC. …… (i)

is perpendicular to plane of triangle ABC. …… (iii)

adding all the (i) + (ii) + (iii)

hence is a vector perpendicular to the plane of the triangle ABC

12 A. Question

Let and Then,

If and find which makes and coplanar.

Answer

Formula: -

Given: -

are coplanar if

now, using
⇒ 0 – 1(c3) + 1(2) = 0

⇒ c3 = 2

12 B. Question

Let and Then,

If and show that no value of can make and coplanar.

Answer

Formula: -

and then,

(iii)Three vectors are coplanar if and only if

we know that are coplanar if

now, using

⇒ 0 – 1(c3) + 1(2) = 0

⇒ c3 = 2

13. Question

Find for which the points A(3, 2, 1), B(4, λ, 5), C(4, 2, – 2) and D(6, 5, – 1) are coplanar.
Answer

Formula: -

and then,

let position vector of

position vector of

position vector of

position vector of

The four points are coplanar if the vector are coplanar

now, using

⇒ 1(9) – (λ – 2)( – 2 + 9) + 4(3 – 0) = 0

⇒ 7λ = 35

⇒λ=5

14. Question
If four points A, B, C and D with position vectors and
respectively are coplanar, then find the value of x.

Answer

Formula: -

(iii) Three vectors a⃗ ,b⃗ , and c⃗ are coplanar if and only if a⃗.(b⃗×c⃗) = 0

let position vector of

position vector of

position vector of

position vector of

The four points are coplanar if the vector are coplanar

⇒ 1(9) – (x – 2)( – 2 + 9) + 4(3) = 0

⇒ 9 – 7x + 14 + 12 = 0

⇒ 35 = 7x
⇒x=5

Very short answer

Write the value of

Answer

The meaning of the notation is the scalar triple product of the three vectors; which is computed as

So we have ( )

2. Question

Write the value of

Answer

Here we have

3. Question

Write the value of

Answer

The value of the above product is the value of the matrix

4. Question

Find the values of ‘a’ for which the vectors and are coplanar.

Answer

Three vectors are coplanar iff (if and only if)

Hence we have value of the matrix

We have 2a2-3a+1=0

2a2-2a-a+1=0

Solving this quadratic equation we get

5. Question

Find the volume of the parallelepiped with its edges represented by the vectors

Answer

Volume of the parallelepiped with its edges represented by the vectors is

6. Question

If are non-collinear vectors, then find the value of

Answer

for any vector

We have

Replacing =

7. Question

If the vectors (sec2 A) are coplanar, then find the value of

cosec 2A A + cosec2B + cosec2C.

Answer

For three vectors to be coplanar we have

Which gives ………(1)

………(2)

Substituting equation 2 in 1 we have

Let

So we have

=(x-2)(y-2)(z-2)-(x-2)(y-1)(z-1)-(x-1)(y-2)(z-1)-(x-1)(y-1)(z-2)+2(x-1)(y-1)(z-1)=0

Solving we have x+y+z=4

Hence cosec 2A + cosec2B + cosec2C = 4

8. Question

For any two vectors of of magnitudes 3 and 4 respectively, write the value of

Answer

the dot and cross can be interchanged in scalar triple product.

Let the angle between vector be

=144(1)

=144

9. Question

If then find the value of λ + μ.

Answer

λ=3

μ=1

So, λ + μ = 3 + 1

=4

10. Question

If are non-coplanar vectors, then find the value of

Answer

the dot and cross can be interchanged in scalar triple product.

Also (cyclic permutation of three vectors does not change the value of the
scalar triple product)

Using these results

11. Question

Find , if and

Answer
MCQ
1. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

If lies in the plane of vectors and , then which of the following is correct?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Answer

Here, lies in the plane of vectors and , which means , and are coplanar.

We know that is perpendicular to and .

Also dot product of two perpendicular vector is zero.

Since, , , are coplanar, is perpendicular to .

So,

2. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

The value of , where , , is

A. 0

B. 1

C. 6

D. none of these

Answer

=0

3. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

If , , are three non-coplanar mutually perpendicular unit vectors, then is

A. ±1
B. 0

C. –2

D. 2

Answer

Here, ⊥ ⊥ and .

⇒ angle between and is or .

= ±1

4. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

If for some non-zero vector , then the value of , is

A. 2

B. 3

C. 0

D. none of these

Answer

Here,

, and are coplanar.

5. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

For any three vector the expression equals

A.

B.

C.

D. none of these

Answer
=

=0

6. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

If , , are non-coplanar vectors, then is

A. 0

B. 2

C. 1

D. none of these

Answer

=0

7. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

Let and be three non-zero vectors such that c⃗ is

a unit vector perpendicular to both a⃗ and b⃗ . If the angle between a⃗ and b⃗ is , then is equal to

A. 0

B. 1

C.

D.

Answer
 (∵ c⃗ is perpendicular to a⃗ and b⃗ ⇒ angle is 0)

(∵ c⃗ is unit vector )

8. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

If and then the volume of the parallelepiped with

A. 2

B. 1

C. –1

D. 0

Answer

Let

Now,the volume of the parallelepiped with conterminous edges , , is given by

=5× (-21+18)+7× (24-21)+10× (-48+49) ×

=5× (-3)+7× 3+10× 1

=-15+21+10

=16

9. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

If then
A. 6

B. –6

C. 10

D. 8

Answer

Now, comparing the coefficient of lhs and rhs we get, λ=2 and μ=4

∴ λ + μ = 2+4

=6

10. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

A.

B.

C.

D. 2

Answer

11. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

If the vectors and are coplanar, then m =

A. 0

B. 38

C. –10

D. 10

Answer
Here, vector a, b, and c are coplanar. So, .

∴ 4(8-30)-11(28-6)+m(35-2)= 0

∴ 4(-22)-11(22)+33m = 0

∴ -88 -242 +33m = 0

∴ 33m = 330

∴ m = 10

12. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

For non-zero vectors a⃗, b⃗ and c⃗ the relation holds good, if

A.

B.

C.

D.

Answer

Let

--------(1) ( ∵ α is angle between a⃗ and b⃗ )

Then

(∵θ is angle between e⃗ and c⃗ ⇒ θ is angle between a⃗ Xb⃗ and c⃗ )

(∵ using (1))

Hence, if and only if

if and only if and

if and only if and

⇒ a⃗ and b⃗ are perpendicular.

Also e⃗ is perpendicular to both a⃗ and b⃗ .

θ=0⇒ c⃗ is perpendicular to both a⃗ and b⃗

∴ a⃗, b⃗, c⃗ are mutually perpendicular.

∴ a⃗∙ b⃗=b⃗∙ c⃗=c⃗∙ a⃗=0

13. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

B.

C.

D.

Answer

14. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

If a⃗ ,b⃗,c⃗ are three non-coplanar vectors, then equal.

A. 0

B.

C. 2

D.

Answer

+[ ]

+ [c⃗ b⃗ a⃗] + +0

15. Question

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

A.

B. 2

C. 3

D. 0

Answer