MASTER CARD

VECTOR ALGEBRA
CONCEPT :
1.
2.
3.
4.

Types of Vector :
Vector Algebra
Section Formula
Product of Vectors

Q.1. Find unit vector which is perpendicular to each of the vectors a + b and a - b where a = i - j
and b = k - I .
Q.2. Find the position vector of a point R which divides the line joining the points P(i + 2j - k) and
Q(-I + j + k) in the ratio of 2 : 1.
i) Internally

ii) Externally

Q.3. If a . b = a . c , a x b = a x c and a 0 the prove that b = c .

Q.4. Find the area of the triangle whose vertices are (1,1,1) , (2,1,3) and (0,0,1) using vectors.
Q.5. Show that the points A(2i j + k), B(I -3j 5k), C(3i -4j -4k) are the vertices of the right triangle.
Q.6. If a = I + j +7k and b= 5i - j + k , find the value of so that (a + b) and (a - b) are
perpendicular vectors.
Q.7. Find the projection of the vectors a = 2i + 3j + 2k on the vector b = I + 2j + 2k.
Q.8. Three vectors a , b and c satisfy the condition a+ b +c =0. Evaluate the quantity = a . b + b .
c + c . a if |a| = 1 , |b| = 4 and |c| = 2.
Q.9. If I + j + k , 2i + j + k , 3i + 2j - 3k and I 6j - 6k are the position vectors of the points A,B,C
and D respectively . Then find the angle between AB and CD . Deduce that AB and CD are
colinear.
Q.10. Find a vector of magnitude 5 units and parallel to resultant of the vectors a = 2i + 3j - k and
b = I 2j + k .

NOTE : unit vectors are written without cap symbol.

BY G. K. Choudhary
PGT (MATHS)
KV Kankarbagh(SS)

SOLUTIONS
1. Find a + b = -j + k
And a b = 2i j k
You know that unit vector is perpendicular to both a + b and a b
N = (a + b ) x (a b)
=| (a + b ) x (a b)|

Now (a + b ) x (a b) = 1 1
= 2i + 2j + 2k
2 1 1

| (a + b ) x (a b)| = (22+22+22) = 23
2+2+2
23
1
1
1
= 3i + 3j + 3

n=

2. Let r divides PQ internally in the ratio 2:1. The position vector R

2( + + ) + 1 ( + 2 )
2+1

(i)

R =

(ii)

Let R divides PQ externally

+4 +
3

2( + + ) 1( + 2 )

R=

21

= -3i + 3k
3. Given that a . b = a . c
Or a.b=a.c
Or a.b-a.c = 0
Or a(b-c) =0 a.b
Therefor b=c as a=0 or a perpendicular (b-c)
Again ab =0
Or ab c =0
Therefor b=c
Or a parallel b-c
From (I) and (II) b=c
4. Area of triangle = (ABAC)
Given points are A(1,1,1), B(2,1,3) and C(0,0,1)
Therefore OA= I+J+K , OB= 2I+J+3K, OC=1.K
Therefor AB=I+2K AC=I-J
Now ABAC= (2I-2J-K)
ABAC =3
Therefore Area of a traingle = 3/2 square unit.
5. Here AB = -I 2J 6K
BC = 2I J + K

(I)

(II)

6.

7.
8.

9.

10.

CA =-I + 3J +5K
Therefore| AB|2 = 41 = 6+ 35 =| BC |2 + | CA |2
Hence points are vertices of a right triangle
Here a + b = 6i -2j + (7 +) k
a-b = -4i + (7- ) k
(a+b) is perpendicular to (a-b)
Therefore (a+b). (a-b) =0 this gives = 5
The projection of the vector a=2i+3j+2k on the vector b=i+2j+k=1 by |B|. (a.b)=
2.1+3.2+2.1/(1)2 +(2)2+(1)2= 5/36
Since a+b+c =0 we have
a.(a+b+c) =0
or a.a + a.b + a.c = 0
or a.b + a.c = - |a|2 = -1
(I)
again b.(a+b+c) = 0
or a.b + b.c = - |b|2 = -16
(ii)
similarly a.c + b.c = -4
(iii)
adding (i), (ii) and (iii) we have
2(a.b + b.c + a.c ) = -21
And therefore 2 = -21 i.e =-21/2
AB = position vector B position vector A
=2+4j-k
Therefore |AB|= 32
Similarly CD= -2I -8J +2K AND |CD| =62.
Thus cos = AB.CD/|AB| |CD| = -36/36 =-1
Since 0Q . it follows that Q = hence AB and CD are collinear.
Resultant vector a and b = a + b = 3i + j +0k any vector parallel to the vector 32+J+0K is of the
form .(32+J+0K)
As per question |.(32+J+0K)| = 5
i.e (3)2 + ()2 + (0)2 = 5 i.e 102 = 25 or = 5/2
hence required vector is either 5/2 (32+J) or - 5/2(32+J)