MUST DO PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ON
VECTORS
CLASS XII
FOR CBSE 2025 EXAMINATION

1 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

 
If a  2i  j  2
k , then Fi nd

( a ) Direction Ratio's of a

SOLUTION : Direction Ratio's of a are components of i , j &  k

s o , d .r of a  2,1,  2 
 
(b ) |a | i.e. Magnitude of a

SO LUTION : |a | 2 2  12  (  2) 2  4  1  4  9  3 units

( c ) D i rec tio n cosine's o f a
d .r .' s 2 1 2
SOLUTION : d .c ' s    , , 
|a | 3 3 3

( d ) Angle which a makes with x - axis , y  axis & z  axis
2 1 2
SOLUTION : As , d .c ' s are  , , 
3 3 3
2 1 2
 c os  , cos  , cos   , , 
3 3 3
2 1 2

Thus , cos      cos ( ) ( Angle w hich a makes with x - axis )
3 3
1 1 1

Thus , cos      cos ( ) ( Angle which a makes with y - axis )
3 3
2 2 2
Thus , cos      cos 1 ( )    cos 1 ( )
3 3 3

( Angle which a makes with z - axis )

2 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

 
If a  2i  j  2
k , then Find

( a ) a unit vector in the direction of a

SOLUTION : As , |a | 2 2  12  (  2) 2  4  1  4  9  3 units

 a 2i  j  2
k
so , a unit vector in the direction of a   
|a | 3
 2 1 2
 A unit vector in t h e direction o f a  i  j   k
3 3 3

(b ) a unit vector OPPOSITE to the direction of a

SOLUTION : As , |a | 2 2  12  (  2) 2  4  1  4  9  3 units

 a  2i  j  2
k
s o , a unit vector opposite to direct ion o f a  (  )  
|a | 3
 2 1 2
 A un i t vec t or opposi te to direction of a   i  j  k.
3 3 3

3 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

 
If a  2i  j  2
k , then Find

( a ) a vector of magnitude "5" in the direction of a

SOLUTION : As , |a | 2 2  12  (  2) 2  4  1  4  9  3 units

  a 
s o , a vector of magnitude "5" in the direction of a  5   
 |a | 
 
2i  j  2k
 5( )
3
 10 5 10
 A vector of magnitude "5" in the direction of a  i  j   k
3 3 3

(b ) a vector of magnitude "7" opposite to the direction of a

SOLUTION : As , |a | 2 2  12  (  2) 2  4  1  4  9  3 units

  a 
so , a vector of magnitude "7" opposite to the direction o f a   7   
 |a | 
 
2i  j  2k
  7( )
3

A vector of m agnitude "7" o p posite to the dire c t ion of a
 14 7 14
  i  j   k
3 3 3

4 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
If a  2 i  j  2 k & b  i  2j  2
   k , then Find
 
( a ) a unit v ector in the direction of ( a  b )
 
SOLUTION : As , ( a  b )  2i  j  2 k  i  2j  2k  3i  3j  0 k
 
|a  b | 9  9  0  18  3 2 unit s
 
   (a  b)  3i  3j  0k
s o , a unit vector in the direct ion of ( a  b )       ( )
|ab| 3 2
 
  1  1  
 a unit vector in the direction of ( a  b )  i j  0k
2 2
 
(b ) a unit vector Opposite to the di rect ion of ( a  2 b )
 
As , ( a  2b )  2i  j  2
k  2i  4j  4k  0i  3j  6 k
 
|a  2b | 0  9  36  45  3 5 units
 
   ( a  2b ) 
so , a unit vector Opposite to t he direction of ( a  2 b )  (  1)   
 | a  2 b | 
 
0i  3j  6k
 ( )
3 5
  1  2 
 a unit vec tor Opposite to the dire ction o f ( a  2b )  0i  j k
5 5

5 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
If a  2 i  j  2 k & b  i  2j  2
   k , then Find
 
( a ) a unit vector Perpendicular to both a & b
 
SOLU TION : Firs t of all we will find a  b ,
i j  k
 
a  b  2 1  2  i (2  4)  j (4  2)   k (4  1)  6i  6j  3
k
1 2 2
 
|a  b | 36  36  9  81  9 units
 
   ab  6i  6j  3
k
so , a unit vector Perpendicular to both a & b         ( )
 ab | 9
 
  2 2 1
 a unit vector Perpendicular to both a & b   ( i  j   k)
3 3 3
NOTE : 2 S uch unit vectors are possible
 
(b ) a vector of ma gnitude '6' & Perpendicular to both a & b
 
SOLUTION : First of all we will find a  b ,
i j  k
 
a  b  2 1  2  i (2  4)  j (4  2)  
k (4  1)  6i  6j  3
k
1 2 2
 
|a  b | 36  36  9  81  9 un its
 
   ab 
so , a vector of magnitude '6' & Perp en d i cu lar to both a & b   6    
 ab |
 
6i  6j  3
k
=  6( )   ( 4i  4j  2
k)
9
 
 a vector of magnitude '6' & Perpendic u lar to bo th a & b   ( 4i  4j  2 k)

6 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
If a  3i  2 j  k & b  2i  j  
   k , then Fin d
 
( a ) a  b.
 
SOLUTION : A s , a  3i  2 j  k & b  2i  j  
   k
i j 
k
 
ab  3 2 1  i (  2  1)  j (  3  2)  
k (  3  4)  i  5j  7
k
2 1 1
 
 a  b  i  5j  7
k
 
(b ) | a  b |
 
SO L U TIO N : F i rst of all we wi ll find a  b ,
 
As , a  b  i  5j  7
k
 
 | a  b | 1  25  49  75  5 3
 
 | a  b | 5 3

7 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

 
If two sides of a triangle are represented by a  3i  2j   k

& b  2i  j  
k , then Find the are a of the Triangle.
 
SOLUTION : As , a  3i  2 j  k & b  2i  j  
   k
i j 
k
 
ab  3 2 1  i (  2  1)  j (  3  2 )  
k (  3  4 )  i  5j  7
k
2 1 1
 
 a  b  i  5j  7
k
 
Thus ,| a  b | 1  25  49  75  5 3
1   5 3
So , Area of the T riangle = | a  b | sq .units
2 2
5 3
 Area of the Triangle  sq.units
2

8 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If two consecutive sides of a Parallelogram are represent ed
 
by a  4 i  3 j  k & b  3i  j  
   k , then Find t he area of t he
Parallelogram .
 
SOLUTION : As , a  4i  3 j  k & b  3i  j  
   k
i j 
k
 
a  b  4 3 1
3 1 1
 
a  b  i (3  1)  j (4  3)  
k (  4  9)  2i  7j  13
k
 
 a  b  2i  7j  13 k
 
Thus ,| a  b | 4  49  169  222
 
So , Area o f the Parallelogram  | a  b | 222 sq .units
 
 A rea of the Parallelogram  | a  b | 2 2 2 sq .units

9 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
For any vectors a and b , Prove that
 2  2 2 2
a  b  a.b  a b .
 
SOLUTION : Let  be the angle between a and b
  
so, a .b | a || b | cos  ...... (A)
   
& | a  b || a || b | sin  ...... (B)
On squaring & adding the Eq. (A) & (B), we get
 2   2  2  2  2  2
(a.b ) + | a  b | = | a | | b | cos   | a | | b | sin 2 
2

 2   2  2  2
(a.b ) + | a  b | = | a | | b | (cos 2   sin 2  )
 2   2  2  2
(a.b ) + | a  b | = | a | | b | (1)
 2  2 2 2
 a  b  a.b  a b

NOTE : cos 2   sin 2   1

10 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

    
     
If b  2i  j  k , a  b  i  5 j  7 k & a.b  3,

then find the value of a .

SOLUTION : As, b  2i  j   k

| b | 4  1  1  6
 
Further , a  b  i  5j  7
k
 
| a  b | 1  25  49  75  5 3
 2   2  2  2
Now, we know that (a.b ) + | a  b | = | a | | b |
 2
 3  (5 3) | a | ( 6)2
2 2

 2
 9  75 | a | (6)
 2
 84  6 | a |
 2
| a |  14

 | a | 14

11 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

     
If a  2, b  5 and a  b  8, then find a.b .
 2  2 2 2
SOLUTION : We Know that a  b  a.b  a b
 2
 64  a.b  4(25)
 2 
 a.b  100  64  36  a .b  6

 a.b  6

    
If a  13, b  1 and a.b  12, then find a  b .
 2  2 2 2
SOLUTION : We Know that a  b  a .b  a b
 2
 a  b  144  169(1)
 2  
 a  b  169  144  25  a b  5

12 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

For any two non  zero vectors,
   
(a) What is the angle between b  a & a  b .
SOLUTION :  OR 180 0

  
(b) What is the angle between a & a  b .

SOLUTION : OR 900
2
  
NOTE : a.(a  b )  0
  
(c) What is the angle between b & a  b .

SOLUTION : OR 900
2
  
NOTE : b .(a  b )  0

13 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

   
If | a | 3,| b | 2 & a.b  2, then find the value of
 
(a) a  b .
 2    
SOLUTION : As, a  b  (a  b).(a  b)
 2        2   2
 a  b  a.a  a .b  b.b  b.a | a | 2a.b  | b |
 2
 a  b  32  2(2)  22  9  4  4  17
 
 a  b  17
 
(b) a  b .
 2    
SOLUTION : As, a  b  (a  b).( a  b)
 2        2   2
 a  b  a.a  a.b  b.b  b.a | a | 2a.b  | b |
 2
 a  b  32  2(2)  2 2  9  4  4  9
 
 a b  3

14 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

   
If | a | 2,| b | 3 & a .b  2, then find the value of
 
2a  b .
 2    
SOLUTION : As, 2a  b  ( 2a  b).( 2a  b)
 2    
 2a  b  2a.a  2a.b  b.b  2 b.a
 2  2   2
 2a  b  2 | a | 2 2a.b  | b |
 2
 2a  b  2(22 )  2(2)  32  8  4  9  13
 
 2a  b  13

15 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

   
If | a | 3,| b | 2 & a.b  1, then find the value of
 
a  3b .
 2    
SOLUTION : As, a  3b  (a  3b).(a  3b)
 2     
 a  3b  a .a  3a .b  9b.b  3b.a
 2  2   2
 a  3b | a | 6a.b  9 | b |
 2
 a  3b  32  6  3(22 )  9  6  12  27
 
 a  3b  27  3 3

16 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If (
a  3b ) is a unit vector, then find the angle
between 
a & b.
SOLUTION : Let  be the angle between 
a &
b

As , 
a  3
b  (
a  3
b ).(
a  3
2
b)

 
a  3
b 
a.
a  3
a.
b  3
b.b  3
b.
2
a

 
a  3
b | 
a |2  2 3 
a.
b  3|
2
b |2

 
a  3
b | 
a |2  2 3 | 
a || 
b | cos   3 | 
2
b |2

 12  12  2 3 cos   3(12 )

NOTE : (
a  3
b )is a unit vector  
a  3
b 1

(
a &
b )are unit vectors  
a || 
b 1

 1  1  2 3 cos   3
 3   7
 cos     cos  cos(  )  cos
2 6 6 6
7
 
6

17 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If ( 2 
a b ) is a unit vector, then find the angle
between a & b.
SOLUTION : Let  be the angle between 
a &
b

2
a 
b  ( 2
a 
b ).( 2 
a 
2
As , b)

2
a 
b  2
a.
a  2
a.
b  
b.b  2 
b.
2
 a

2
a 
b  2 |
a |2  2 2 
a.
b | 
2
 b |2

2
a 
b  2|
a |2  2 2 | 
a || 
b | cos   | 
2
 b |2

 12  2(12 )  2 2 cos   (12 )

NOTE : ( 2 
a 
b )is a unit vector  2
a 
b 1

(
a &
b )are unit vectors  
a || 
b 1

 1  2  2 2 cos   1
1 
 cos    cos
2 4

 
4

18 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

Find the area of the parallelogram whose adjacent

sides are determined by the vectors a  iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

& b  2iˆ  7 ˆj  kˆ.
SOLUTION : We know that,
 
Area of parallelogram | a  b |
i j 
k
 
so , a  b  1  1 3  (  1  2 1)iˆ  (1  6) ˆj  (  7  2) kˆ
2 7 1
 
a  b  20i  5j  5
k
 
 | a  b |  450
 
Area of parallelogram | a  b |  450
 Area of paralle log ram  15 2 Sq. units

19 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If  is the angle between any two vectors, then find
   
the value of  for which a  b  a . b .
  
SOLUTION : We know that, |a.b || a || b | cos 
   
& | a  b || a || b | sin 
   
Since,it is given that a  b  a . b
   
 | a || b | cos   | a || b | sin 

 cos   sin   tan   1  tan   tan
4

 
4

20 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

Using vectors,Find the area of the triangle with
Vertices A 1, 1, 2  , B  2, 3, 5  and C 1, 5, 5  .
SOLUTION : We know that,
1  
Area of triangle = | BA  BC |
2

BA  P.V .of A  P.V .of B  i  2j  3
k

BC  P.V .of C  P.V .of B  i  2j  0k
Now,
i j 
k
 
BA  BC  1 2 3  6i  3j  4 k
1 2 0
 
| BA  BC | 36  9  16  61
1   61
Thus, Area of triangle = | BA  BC | sq.units
2 2

21 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

      
If a is a unit vector and  x  a  .  x  a   15, find | x | .
   
SOLUTION : As ,  x  a  .  x  a   15
       
 x . x  a . x  x .a  a .a  15
 2      2
 | x |  a . x  a . x  | a |  15
   2   
NOTE : a .a  | a | , a .b  b.a
 2  2  2
 | x |  | a |  15  | x |  1  15
 
As, a is a unit vector , so | a | 1
 2 
 | x |  16  4 2
( | x |  4)

 | x | 4

22 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

   
If a , b and c are unit vectors , then show that
 2  2  2
a  b  b  c  c  a does not exceed 9.
 2  2  2
SOLUTION : a  b  b  c  c  a
           
 ( a  b ).( a  b )  ( b  c ).( b  c )  ( c  a ).( c  a )
 2  2   2  2   2  2 
 | a |  | b |  2 a .b  | b |  | c |  2 b .c  | a |  | c |  2 c.a
 2  2  2   
 2(| a |  | b |  | c | )  2( a .b  b .c  c .a )
  
 2 ( 3 )  2( a .b  b.c  c.a )
     
NOTE : As , a , b and c are unit vectors | a || b | | c | 1
  
 6  2( a .b  b.c  c.a )
   2  2  2  2   
NOTE :| a  b  c |  | a |  | b |  | c |  2( a .b  b .c  c .a )
    2  2  2    2
 2( a .b  b.c  c .a )  | a |  | b |  | c |  | a  b  c |
 2  2  2    2
 6 | a |  | b |  | c |  | a  b  c |
   2
 9 | a  b  c |
 2  2  2    2
Thus , a  b  b  c  c  a  9  | a  b  c |
      2
Since, | a  b  c | 0  9  | a  b  c |  9
 2  2  2
So , a  b  b  c  c  a  9

23 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If a line makes an angle  ,  ,  with the x -axis, y -axis &
z -axis respectively, then find the value o f c os 2   cos 2   cos 2  .

SOLUTIO N : Le t a  xi  y j  z 
k be a ny vector making an
ang le o f  ,  ,  with t he x -a xis, y-axis & z-axis

d .r ' s of a  x , y , z 
 x y z
d .c ' s of a   cos  , cos  , cos     ,  ,  
|a | |a | |a |
x y z
T h u s , cos    , cos    , cos   
|a | |a | |a |
x2 y2 z2
s o , cos   cos   cos    2   2   2
2 2 2

|a | |a | |a|
x2  y2  z2 x2  y2  z2
 cos   cos   cos  
2 2
 2
2
 2
|a | x  y2  z2
 cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1 .

24 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If a line makes an angle  ,  ,  with the x-axis, y-axis &
z-axis respectively, the n find the value of
( a ) sin 2   sin 2   sin 2 
( b ) cos 2  cos 2   cos 2 

SOLUTION : Let a  xi  y j  z 
k be any v ector mak ing an
angle of  ,  ,  with the x-axis, y-axis & z-axis.Then
we know that cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1
Now , sin 2   sin 2   sin 2 
 1  cos 2   1  cos 2   1  cos 2 
 3  (cos 2   cos 2   cos 2  )  3  1  2
 sin 2   sin 2   sin 2   2
Now , cos 2  cos 2   cos 2
 2 cos 2   1  2 cos 2   1  2 cos 2   1
 2(cos 2   cos 2   cos 2  )  3
 2  3  1
 cos 2  cos 2   cos 2   1

25 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
If a  2i  j  2 k & b  i  2j  2 k , then find
  
( a ) a .b (T he scalar or Dot product of a & b )
 
SOLUTION : As , a  2 i  j  2 k & b  i  2j  2
   k

a .b  (2i  j  2
k ).(i  2j  2
k )  2(1)  1(2)  2(2)  2  2  4  0
NOTE : Dot product is equal to sum of product of corresponding
 
components of a & b
 
( b ) the angle between a & b

 a .b   (2i  j  2k ).(i  2j  2
k) 
S O LUTION : A s , cos       =  
 | a || b | 4  1  4 1  4  4
   
224 0  
cos     =    0  cos  
 (3)(3)   9  2 2
 
( c ) the Projection of a on b

   a .b   (2i  j  2
k ).(i  2j  2
k) 
SOLUTION : P rojection of a on b     
= 
 | b| 1  4  4
   
  0
P rojection of a on b     0
3
 
( d ) the Project ion of b on a

   a .b   (2i  j  2k ).(i  2j  2
k) 
SOLUTION : P rojection of b on a     =  
 | a| 4  1  4
   
  0
P rojection of b on a     0
3

26 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
If a  i  0j   k & b  0i  j   k , then find
  
( a ) a .b (The scalar or Dot product of a & b )
 
SOLUTION : As , a  i  0j   k & b  0i  j  
k

a .b  (i  0j  
k ).(0i  j  
k )  1(0)  0(1)  1(1)  1
NOTE : Dot product is equal to sum of product of corresponding
 
components of a & b
 
( b ) the angle between a & b

 a .b   (i  0j  
k ).(0i  j  
k) 
SOL U T I O N : A s , cos       =  
 | a || b| 1  0  1 0  1  1
   
 0  0 1   1   
cos     =    cos  
 ( 2 )( 2 )   2  3 3
 
( c ) the Projection of a on b

   a .b   (i  0j  
k ).(0i  j  
k) 
SOLUTION : P rojection of a on b     =  
 | b| 0  1  1
   
   1 
P rojection of a on b   
 2
 
( d ) the Projection of b on a

   a .b   (i  0j  
k ).(0i  j  
k) 
SOLUT ION : P rojection of b on a     =  
 | a| 1  0  1
   
  1
P rojection of b on a 
2

27 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
If a  i  2 j  3 k & b  2i  p j  q 
   k , then find the values
 
of p & q if a & b are collinear vectors.
OR
 
If a  i  2 j  3 k & b  2i  p j  q 
   k , then find the values
 
of p & q if a & b are p arallel vectors.
SOLUTION : We know that when two vectors are collinear
or Parallel then their cross product is zero.
In other words then direction ratio's are proportional.
( Means Components of i , j & 
k ar e in same ratio)

ai a j a k 1 2 3
so ,     
bi bj bk 2 p q
1 2 1 3
Thus ,   p4 &   q  6 .
2 p 2 q

28 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
If a  i  2 j  3 k & b   2i  p j  4
   k , then find
 
the values of p if a & b are Orthogonal.
SOLUTION : W e know that when two vectors are Orthogonal
then their dot product is zero.
In other words,they are perpendicula r to each other.


Now , a .b  (i  2j  3k ).(  2i  p j  4
k)

a .b  1(  2)  2( p )  3(4)   2  2 p  12
  
a .b  2 p  14  0 (Since, a & b are Orthogonal)
 2 p  14
 p7.

29 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

F ind the value of
( a ) 
i .i  j .j  
k .
k
SOLUTION : We know that  i.i  j .j  
k .
k 1
So, 
i.i  j .j  
k .
k  111  3
( b ) 
i. j  j .j  
k .j
SOLUTION : We know that  i.i  j .j  
k .
k  1 & 
i. j  0  
k .j
So, 
i. j  j .j  
k .j  0  1  0  1
( c ) i .(j  
k )  j .(
k i )  
k .(i  j )
SOLUTION : We know that  i.i  j .j  
k .
k 1
and i  j   k , j  
k  i , 
k i  j
So, i.(j  
k )  j .(
k i )  k .(i  j )  i.(i )  j .(j )  
k .(
k)
 111  3
( d ) i.(j  
k )  j .(i  
k)  
k .(i  j )
SOLUTION : We know that  i.i  j .j  
k .
k 1
and i  j   k , j  k  i , 
k i  j ,i  k  j
So, i.(j  
k )  j .(i  
k)   k .(i  j )  i.(i )  j .( j )  
k .(
k)
 111  1

30 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

       
If a  b  c  0 and | a | 5,| b | 6& | c | 9, then find
 
the angle between a & b.
 
SOLUTION : Let the angle between a & b be 
      
As , a  b  c  0  a  b   c
 
NOTE: Keep a & b on seperate side,
 
As we have to find the ang le between a & b
     
 ( a  b ).( a  b )  (  c ).(  c )
    
 a .a  b.a  a .b  b.b  c .c
 2   2  2
 | a |  2 a .b  | b |  | c |
 2    2  2
 | a |  2 | a || b | cos   | b |  | c |
 2  2  2
|c| |a| |b|
 cos    
2 | a || b |
9 2  5 2  6 2 81  25  36 20 1
 cos     
2(5)(6) 60 60 3
1 1
 
   cos ( ) (Angle between a & b )
3

31 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

   
If a  i  j  2 k , b   i  2 j  2 k and c  i  2j  
      k are three
vectors , then find a vector perpendicular to both the vec tors
   
( a  b ) and ( b  c ). C B SE 2 0 2 2 C
  
SO L UTIO N : As , a  i  j  2 k , b   i  2 j  2 k & c  i  2j  
      k
 
a  b  i  j  2k  i  2j  k  0i  3j  3
k
 
& b  c  i  2j  2 k  i  2j  
k  0i  0j  3
k
     
So , Let us repr esent a  b  p & b  c  q
   
Thus , a vector perpendicular to both the vectors ( a  b ) & ( b  c )
 
 a vector perpendicular to both the vectors p & q
 
  ( p & q)
i j  k
  0 3  3   [ 9i  0j  0 k]
0 0 3
   
 a vector perpendicular to both the vectors ( a  b ) & ( b  c )
is  [9i  0j  
k ].
NOTE : In case they asked for a unit v e ct o r pe rpendicular to both
   
the vectors ( a  b ) & (b  c ) then we put    1 and divide by
its magnitude. In that case Two such vectors are possible.

32 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

       
I f a , b and c are unit vectors such that a  b  c  0,
     
then find the value of a . b  b . c  c . a .
C BSE 2022 C
   
SO L U T IO N : A s , a  b  c  0
        
| a  b  c | 2  ( a  b  c ).( a  b  c )
               
 a .a  b .a  c .a  a . b  b . b  c . b  a .c  b .c  c .c
      
 | a |2  | b | 2  | c |2  2( a .b  b .c  c .a )
  2    
N O T E : x .x | x| , a . b  b. a
   2 2    
| a  b  c |  1  1  1  2( a .b  b .c  c .a )
2 2

     
S in ce , a , b and c are unit vectors  | a |  | b |  | c |  1
   
so , 0  1  1  1  2( a .b  b .c  c .a )
   
 0  3  2( a .b  b .c  c .a )
    3
 ( a .b  b .c  c .a ) 
2

33 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

The dot product of vector (i  j   k ) with a unit vector along the sum
of the vectors (2i  4j  5 k ) & (i  2j  3
k ) is equal to 1, then find  .
  
SOLUTION : Let a  i  j  k , b  2i  4 j  5k and c  i  2j  3
      k
 
 bc
so,it is given that a.(   )  1
|bc|
 
As, b  c  (2   )i  6j  2
k
 
| b  c | (2   ) 2  40

   (2   )i  6j  2
k
Thus, (i  j  k ).( ) 1
(2   )  40
2

(2   )  6  2
 1
(2   )  40
2

   6  (2   ) 2  40
 (  6) 2  (2   ) 2  40
  2  36  12   2  4  4  40
 8  8
  1

34 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If the sum of two unit vectors is a unit vector, then prove that
magnitude of their difference is 3.
SOLUTION : Given  a 
b c
| 
a 
b || 
c|
| 
a 
b |2 | 
c |2
 (
a b).(
a 
b)  
c.c
 
a.a  2
b.a  
b.b  
c.c
| 
a |2 2
b.a  | 
b |2 | 
c |2
 1  2
a.b  1  1  2a.b  1
Now,| 
a b |2  (
a 
b).(
a b)  
a.a  2
a.b  
b.b
| 
a 
b |2 | 
a |2 2
a.b  | 
b |2  1  ( 1)  1  3

 |
a 
b | 3 ( Hence Pr oved )
  2

NOTE : a.a  1, a.a | a |

35 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If 
a and 
b are two unit vectors,where  is the angle between

 1   
a and 
b then prove that | a  b | cos
2 2
SOLUTION : We know that |  a b |2  (
a 
b).(
a 
b)
| 
a 
b |2  
a.a  2
b.a  
b.b
| 
a 
b |2 | 
a |2 2
a.b  | 
b |2
| 
a 
b |2 | 
a |2 2 | 
a || 
b | cos   | 
b |2
| 
a 
b |2  1  2(1)(1) cos   1

| 
a 
b |2  2  2 cos   2(1  cos  )  2(2 cos 2 )
2

| 
a 
b |2  (2 cos ) 2
2
  
| a  b | 2 cos
2
1   
 | a  b | cos ( Hence Pr oved )
2 2
  2

NOTE : a.a  1, a.a | a |

36 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If 
a and 
b are two unit vectors, where  is the angle

  1   
between a and b then prove that | a  b | sin
2 2
SOLUTION : We know that | a b |2  (a b).(a b)
| 
a 
b |2  
a.a  2
b.a  
b.b
| 
a 
b |2 | 
a |2 2
a.b  | 
b |2
| 
a 
b |2 | 
a |2 2 | 
a || 
b | cos   | 
b |2
| 
a 
b |2  1  2(1)(1) cos   1
  2
| a  b |  2  2 cos   2(1  cos  )  2(2sin )
2

2

| 
a 
b |2  (2sin ) 2
2

| 
a 
b | 2sin
2
1   
 | a  b | sin ( Hence Pr oved )
2 2
  2
NOTE : 
a.a  1, a.a | a |

37 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If 
a and 
b are two unit vectors , where  is the angle

  |
a 
b| 
between a and b then prove that  tan
|
a 
b| 2

SOLUTION : We know that |  a  b |2  (

a b ).(
a 
b)
| 
a 
b |2  
a.
a  2
b.a  
b.b | 
a |2 2a.b | 
b |2
| 
a 
b |2 | 
a |2  2 | 
a || 
b | cos   | 
b |2  1  2 cos   1

| 
a 
b |2  2  2 cos   2(1  cos  )  2(2 sin 2 )
2

| 
a 
b |2  (2 sin ) 2
2
 1 
| 
a 
b | 2 sin  |  a b | sin .....(1)
2 2 2
Similarly , | 
a 
b |2  (
a b ).(
a b ) | 
a |2 2 a.
b | 
b |2

| 
a 
b |2  2  2 cos   2(1  cos  )  2(2 cos 2 )
2
 1 
| 
a b |2  (2 cos ) 2  |  a 
b | cos ....(2)
2 2 2
Thus , on dividing eq. 1 by eq. 2, we get
|
a b| 
  tan
|
a b| 2
  2
 
NOTE : a.a  1, a.a | a |

38 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

   
If a, b and c are non - zero vectors such that
        
a  b  b  c  c  a, then Find the value of a  b  c.
SOLUTION : As,
         
a  (a  b  c)  a  a  a  b  a  c
   
 0  ab  ac
   
 ab  ca  0
       
Similarly , b  (a  b  c )  0  b  a  b  c
   
 a  b  b  c  0
       
Now, c  (a  b  c )  0  c  a  c  b
   
 c a  bc  0
  
Since a  0, b  0, c  0 &
           
a  (a  b  c)  b  (a  b  c)  c  (a  b  c)  0
  
 abc  0

39 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

T he tw o ve ctors i  j & 3i  j  4
k represents the two sides
 
AB & AC respectively of  ABC. Find t h e le n gth of the
median through A.
  
SOLUTION : As , AB  i  j & AC  3i  j  4
  k
    
S i nce, AB  BC  C A  0
     
 BC   AB  CA  AC  A B  2i  0j  4 k

so, BC  2i  0j  4 k

 BC
Now , BD   i  0j  2
k
2

Median through A is AD, so
  
AD  AB  BD =i  j  i  0j  2 k

AD  2i  j  2 k
Now,

length o f the median through A = A D = 4  1  4

 length of the median through A  3 units

40 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

 CBSE Previous Yeaars Questions
   
     
If a.i  a.(i  j )  a.(i  j  k )  1 , then a is
 a  k (b) i (c) j (d) i  j  
k
 
SOLUTION : Let a  xi  y j  zk  a.i  x  1  x  1
  

Now, a.(i  j )  x  y  1  y  0

Now, a.(i  j  k)  x  y  z  1 z  0

 a  i OPTION (b)

If a vector makes angles of 900 ,1350 & 450 with the x, y & z axes
respectively, then its direction cosines are
1 1 1 1
 a  0, , (b) ,0,
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
(c ) , 0, ( d ) 0, ,
2 2 2 2
SOLUTION : direction cosines are cos 900 , cos1350 , cos 450
 direction cosines are cos 900 ,  cos 450 , cos 450
1 1
 direction cosines are 0, ,
2 2
OPTION (a)

41 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

The value of p for which the vectors 2i  pj  
k and  4i  6j  26
k
are perpendicular to each other, is
17 17
a 3 (b )  3 (c) (d)
3 3
 
SOLUTION : We know that if a & b are perpendicular then their

dot product is zero. i.e. a.b  0

so, a.b  (2i  pj  
k ).(4i  6j  26k)  0
 8  6 p  26  0  6 p  18  p  3 OPTION (a)

The value of (i  j ).j +(j i).

k is
a 2 (b )  1 ( c) 1 (d) 0
SOLUTION : We know that i  j  
k , j  
k  i, 
k i  j
and j i  
k,
NOTE :  i. j  
j.k  k .i  0,i.i  
j. j  
k .k  1
so, (i  j ).j +(j i ).
k  (k ).j +(  k ).
k  0  1  1 OPTION (b)
  
   
If a  b  i and 2i  2 j  2k then | b |=
a 14 (b) 12 (c) 17 (d) 3
 
SOLUTION : b  i  a  i  (2i  2j  2
 k )  i  2j  2
k

Now,| b |= 1  4  4  3 OPTION (d)

42 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

The Magnitude of the vector 6i  2j  3
k is
a 1 (b) 5 c 7  d  12
SOLUTION:Magnitude of the vector = 36  4  9  7 OPTION (c)

Find all vectors of magnitude 3 3 which are collinear to the vector

i  j  
k.
SOLUTION: We know that vectors collinear with i  j   k are
in the form of  (i  j  
k ).As, Magnitude of  (i  j  
k ) is 3 3
so,  2   2   2 =3 3  3 2 =27   =  3
Thus required vectors are  3(i  j  
k ).
    2  
If the vectors a and b are such that |a | 3,| b | and a  b is
3
 
a unit vector, then find the angle between a and b.
   
SOLUTION : As, a  b is a unit vector  |a  b|  1
    2
We know that |a  b| = |a || b | sin   1  3( ) sin 
3
1  
 sin    sin   
2 6 6
  
Thus, is the angle between a and b.
6

43 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

If the area of a parallelogram whose adjacent sides are
 
determined by the vectors a  i  j  3k & b  2i  7j  
   k.
 
SOLUTION : We know that Area of a Parallelogram = |a  b|
i j  k
 
So, a  b  1 1 3  i (1  21)  j (1  6)  
k ( 7  2)
2 7 1
 
 a  b  20i  5j  5
k
 
Now, |a  b|  400  25  25  450  15 2
 
 Area of a Parallelogram = |a  b|  15 2 Sq.units

    
If a and b are two vectors such that | a | 1,| b | 2 and a.b  3, then the angle
 
between 2a and  b is:
  5 11
 A  B C   D
6 3 6 6

2a.b 2 3 3
Solution: cos       Option (B)
| 2a || b | 2  2 2

44 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

   
The vectors a = 2i  j  k , b  i  3 j  5k and c =  3i + 4j + 4
      k represents
the sides of
 A  an equilaterl triangle  B  an obtuse-angled triangle
 C  an isosceles triangle  D  a right-angled triangle
    
Solution: As,a  b  c  0 and a.b=0  a right-angled triangle option (D)

 
Let a be any vector such that |a | a. The value of
 2  
|a  i | |a  j | |a  
  2
k |2 is:
 A a2  B 2a 2 C  3a 2 D 0
  2 2  2
 
Solution:|a  i |  |a | | i | sin   |a | sin 2  ,
2 2

  2 2  2
 
|a  j |  |a | | j | sin   |a | sin 2 
2 2

  2 2  2
 
|a  k |  |a | | k | sin   |a | sin 2 
2 2

    2  2
  2 
Thus,|a  i | |a  j | |a  k |  |a | (sin   sin   sin  )  2|a |
2 2 2 2 2

Option(B)

45 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
The position vectors of points P & Q are p and q respectively. The
point R divides line segment PQ in the ratio 3:1 & S is the mid-point
of the line segment PR. The position vector of S is
       
p +3 q p +3 q 5 p +3 q 5 p +3 q
a (b ) (c ) (d )
4 8 4 8
P S R Q
SOLUTION :                 
3 3
As, S divides line segment PQ in the ratio :(  1)  3 : 5
2 2
 
3Q +5P 5 p +3 q
so, S   OPTION (d)
35 8

46 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

  
ASSERTION ( A) : The vectors a  6i  2 j  8k , b  10i  2j  6
   k

and c  4i  4j  2
k represents the sides of a right
angled triangle.
REASONING ( R ) : Three non-zero vectors of which none of the two are
collinear forms a triangle if their resultant is zero
vector or sum of any two vectors is equal to the third.
   
SOLUTION : As, a  b  c  0  Forms a triangle but for right angled
triangle we have to further analyse.
   2  2 2
Since,| a | 104,| b | 140,| c | 36 | b | | a |  | c |

OR We can observe a.c  0
  
So, The vectors a  6i  2 j  8k , b  10i  2 j  6k and c  4i  4j  2
      k
represents the sides of a right angled triangle.
Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
OPTION (b)

47 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

   
Given a  2i  j  k , b  3i  k and c  2i  j  2
     k. Find a vector
    
d which is perpendicular to both a & b and c.d  3
  
SOLUTION : As d is perpendicular to both a & b so
i j  k
  
d   (a  b)   2 1 1   (i  5j  3 k)
3 0 1

Thus, d   (i  5j  3
k)
 
Now, c.d  3  2  5  6  3    3

 d  3i  15j  9k

ALTERNATIVE METHOD (Student's May try using this approach)


Let d  xi yj  zk

      
Since,d is perpendicular to both a & b  d .a  0  d .b
Thus, 2 x  y  z  0,3 x  z  0
 z  3x & 2 x  y  3x  0  y  5 x
 
Now, c.d  3  2 x  y  2 z  3  2 x  5 x  6 x  3  x  3
so, y  5 x  15 and z  3 x  9

 d  xi yj  zk  3i  15j  9
k

48 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

 CASE STUDY

An instructor at the astronomical centre shows three among the brightest stars
in a particular constellation. Assume that the telescope is located at O(0,0,0)
and the three stars have their locations at the points D, A and V having position
vectors 2i  3j  4
k , 7i  5j  8
k and  3i  7j  11
k respectively.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

(i) How far is the star V from star A?

(ii) Find a unit vector in the direction of DA.
(iii) Find the measure of VDA.
OR
 
What is the projection of vector DV on vector DA ?

49 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI

SOLUTION :

(i) AV  Position Vector of V  Position Vector of A  10i  2j  3k

Thus,| AV | 100  4  9  113 units

(ii) DA  Position Vector of A  Position Vector of D  5i  2j  4
k
 5i  2j  4
k
Unit vector in the direction of DA 
3 5

(iii) DV  5i  4j  7
k
 
 DV .DA   11 2 
VDA = cos 1      cos 1  
 | DV || DA |  90
   
OR

(iii) DV  5i  4j  7
k
 
   DV .DA  11 5
Projection of DV on DA     
 | DA |  15
 

50 |BY: SHASHANK VOHRA LECTURER MATHS: DOE, DELHI