Unit-1 ( for 10 marks)

Vector Algebra
Scaler : A physical quantity which has only magnitude is called
scalar quantity.
Vector : A physical quantity which has magnitude as well
direction is called vector quantity .
Position vector : If A and B are two points in a space ,then AB

=p.v. of B –p.v. of A
 Scalar Product or Dot product of two vectors

defined by a.b=ІaІ ІbІ Cosθ=a b cosθ, ∵ |a|=a & |b|=b

Scalar or dot Product of two vectors a and b, denoted a.b

roperties
i. a .b= b.a
ii. If a and b have the same direction then θ=00 i.e. cos 00=1
i.e. a.b=ab. If a is perpendicular(orthogonal) to b then θ=900
i.e. cosθ=0 ,the dot product of two non zero vectors is
zero if and only if they are at right angles to each other .
iii. i.i =j.j =k.k= 1 and i.j = j.k =k.i =0
ab cosθ a.b
iv Projection of b on the line of a = |a| = |a| and Projection
a.b
of a on the line of b = |b|
ai+ bj+ ck
v A unit vector parallel to ai +bj +ck = √ a +b +c
2 2 2
Example :
(1) Given , R 1=5i-2j+4k and R2=i+3j+7k .Find the magnit
ude and angle between the vectors R1+ R2 and R1- R2 ( IMU)
Solution : Let a= R1+ R2=6i+j+11k , b= R1- R2=4i-5j-3k

|a∨¿ ¿ =a=І R1 + R2І =√ 158 ,b= І R1— R2І =5√ 2

Let θ be the angle between a &b

Cosθ = a.b/ІaІ ІbІ =?????, θ= ?

Ex(2) . If a ,b ,c are the position vectors of the vertices of
a triangle ,where a=4i+j+3k ,b=i+3j+2k and c =2i+7k ,prove
that the triangle is a right-angled triangle.
Solution: Let ABC be the triangle such that the position

∴ AB= b-a = -3i+2j-k, and AC =c -a = -2i-j+4k

vector of A,B,C are given in example a,b,c .

∴ AB. AC =(-3i+2j-k).(-2i-j+4k)
= 6-2-4
=0
∴ AB is perpendicular to AC
∴triangle ABC is a right angled triangl at angle
A.
(3)Find a unit vector parallel to the sum of the vectors
R 1 =2i^ +4 ^j -5k^ and R 2 = i^ +2 ^j +3k^

Solution :

R1+R2 =3i+6j-2k
 3i+6 j−2 k
Unit vector parallel to 3i+6j-2k is = √ 9+36+ 4
3i+6 j−2 k
= 7

(3)If A =(5,6,1) ,B=(8,0,6) ,C=(0,3,3) and D=(2,7,-1) .Find (i)

Projection of AB on the line of CD
(ii) Proj. of CD on the line of AB
Soln :

AB =OB -OA =(8-5)i +(0-6)j+(6-1)k =3i-6j+5k

CD =2i+4j-4k ,

AB=І ABІ =√ 70 , CD =ІCDІ =6

Proj. of AB onCD = AB.CD / CD =-19 /3
Proj. of CD on AB = AB.CD/ AB =-38 /√ 70

Ex: Find the angle between the vectors i+3j+2k & i-2j+3k
IMU Dec-2015
Ex:- Show that the points whose position vectors i-j ,
2i+j+3k , 3i+2j+k forms an isosceles triagle. IMU Dec-
2015

EX:- If a⃗=5i-j-3k and b⃗ =i+3j-5k then show that the

vectors a⃗ +b⃗ & a⃗ -b⃗ are perpendicular. Dec. 2016

 Vector product or cross product of two vectors

 a×b =ІaІ ІbІ Sinθη^ ,where η^ is a unit vector
perpendicular to both a and b such that a ,b,η^ forms
a right handed system.
Note : η^ =( a × b) / Іa × bІ

Properties:

i. b × a=¿Іa І Іb І
sinθ (-η^ )=-ІaІ ІbІ sinθ .η^ =-a × b i.e. a ×b ≠ b × a
ii.If aІІ b then a × b=0
iii.^ i^ =j×j=k×k=0, i× j=¿k ,j×k=i , k×i=j , j×i=-k, k×j=-i, i
i×
×k=-j

iv. a=a1i+a2j+a3k , b=b1i+b2j+b3k

=¿ i j k∨¿
a × b=¿

І a1 a2 a3 І
І b1 b2 b3 І
 Scaler Triple Product:

The scaler triple product of a,b,c is a.(b × c)=(a b c )

Properties:
(1) If a=a1i+a2j+a3k b=b1i+b2j+b3k and c =c1i+c2j+c3k
a 1 a 2 a3
a.(b× c) = b 1 b 2 b3
c1 c 2 c 3
 (2) In scaler triple product dot and cross are
interchangeable ,a.(b×c)=(a×b).c
(3) (a b c)=(b c a)=(c a b)
(4) (a b c) = - (b a c) ,(a b c)= - (c b a) ,(a b c) = -(a c b)
(5) If a, b and c are any three vectors and a=b then a.
(b×c)=0 i.e (a b c)=0
(6) Three vectors a , b ,c are coplaner iff (a b c)=0

Applications : (1) Vector area of a parallelogram:

If vectors a and b are adjecent sides and if θ
is the angle between them.
Vector area of parallelogram=a × b
(2) Area of the parallelogram =Ι a×b Ι

(3) Vector area of triangle:

Let a,b,c be the position vectors of the vertices A,B and C

∴ vector area of ∆ ABC = 2 vector area of parallelogram with sides BC∧BA

of ∆ABC respectively.
1

1
= 2 ¿)
1
= 2 [(c -b)×(a-b)]
1
= 2 [a × b +b × c+c ×a]

(4)The Volume of a tetrahedron with coterminous edges a,b

1
& c is 6 [ a b c ] .

Ex:- Find the volume of a tetrahedron whose vertices are

A(-1,2,3) , B(3,-2,1), C(2,1,3) & D(-1,-2,4).
Solution:-,
The position vectors of the points A,B,C &D are a,b,c &d w.r.t.
origin.
AB =4i^ -4 ^j -2k^ , AC =3i^ - ^j & AD =-4 ^j +k^

∴Vol. of the
4 −4 −2
1 1
tetrahedron= 6 −1 0
3 = 6 32=5.33
× cu.units
0 −4 1
(5)The volume of the parallelopiped whose coterminous edges
are a ,b ,c is [a b c ]=a . (bxc )

Ex:- Find the volume of the parallelopiped , if the coterminous

edges are 2i+5j-4k , 5i+7j+5k , 4i+5j-2k .
Solution: 84 cu. units
Note:- For any two non-zero vectors AB & AC , if AB× AC =0
then points A,B,C are collinear , as point A is common.

Solved Examples:----
Ex:-(1) Find the vector area and the magnitude of the
vector area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are
the vectors IMU

Solution(a) a×b =| i j k |
(a) a=2i-3j+k ,b=i+j-3k (b) a=4i-j-k ,b=i+2j+4k

| 2 -3 1 |
| 1 1 -3 |

∴ vector area of the parallelogram =a×b =8i+7j+5k

= 8i+7j+5k

and magnitude of the vector area= area= =|a×b|=√ 64+ 49+25=

√ 138 = 11.75 sq.units
Ex:-(2) Find the vector area of the triangle , the position
vectors of vertices are
(a)2i+j-3k , i+2j+k ,3i+j-2k (b) –i+2j-k ,2i-2j+3k ,3i+2j-4k
 Solution (a) Let ABC be the triangle such that the
position vectors of the vertices A,B,C are suppose a,b,c
respectively

∴ AB× AC = | i j k |
AB=b-a= -i+j+4k , AC ==c-a=i+k

| -1 1 4 | =i+5j-k

∴ vector area of ∆ABC =1/2 ( AB× AC ) =1/2 (i+5j-k)

|1 0 1 |

1 1
Note:- A(∆ ABC ¿ =| 2 ( AB× AC )|= 2 × √ 27 sq. units=2.6 sq.units

 Work done as a scaler product: Let a constant

force F displace a particle from A to B then the work done by
the force is given by
W= F . AB
Ex:(1) The forces 2i-5j+6k ,-i+2j-k and 2i+7j act on a
particle which displaces it from 4i-3j-2k to 6i+j-k . Find the
total work done by these forces .
Solution:- The resultant of the forces is F = (2i-5j+6k)+(-i+2j-
k) +(2i+7j) = 3i+4j+5k
Let a⃗ =4i-3j-2k be the p.v. of the point A and b⃗ =6i+j-k be

∴⃗
the p.v. of the point B.

∴Work done by the forces , W =⃗F .⃗

AB =b -a =2i+4j+k
AB

=(3i+4j+5k).(2i+4j+k)
= 3(2)+4(4)+5(1)
=6+16+5
=27 units
Ex(2) Find the work done by the resultant of the forces
 f 1=3i+4j-5k, f 2=i+j+k & f 3=2i-4j+7k in displacing a
particle from the point (1,2,4) to the point (3,4,7).
Ans: 23 units
EX:_ A particle is acted on by constant forces
f1=3i+2j+5k,f2=2i+j+3k & f3=i+2j-3k & is displaced from a
point whose position vectors is 2i-j-3k to a point whose
position vector is 4i-3j+7k. Calculate the work done
IMU Dec -2017

Moment of a force about a point :

Let a force ⃗F act at a point A on the body.If it causes
rotation of the body about B then the vector ⃗ BA × ⃗F is called
the moment of the force ⃗F about the point B.It is denoted by
M
Thus M=⃗ BA × ⃗
F
= r × F , where BA=r
Example(1) A force of magnitude 3 units in the
direction 2i+3j+6k acts at (1,1,1).Find its
moment about the point (-1,2,3).
Solution:
Let F be the required force of magnitude 3 units
along 2i+3j+6k
∴ F =3(2i+3j+6k)/√ 4+ 9+36 =3/7(2i+3j+6k)
F is acting at A(1,1,1) and the moment of force F is

taken about B(-1,2,3).

If M is the moment of force about B
M = BA × F

Here , BA=p.v. of A-p.v. of B

=(i+j+k)-(-i+2j+3k)
 =2i-j-2k

∴ M = BA × F
=(2i-j-2k)×3/7 (2i+3j+6k)
=24/7 [ -2j+k].
Example(2) A force represented by 5i+k is acting at a
point (9,-1,2).Find its moment about a point (3,2,1).
Dec 2015
Ex(3) Show that the points with position vectors 3i-2j+4k ,i+j+k and –

i+4j-2k respectively are collinear.

n
Sol : Let A,B and C be the given three points.

∴OA=3i-2j+4k ,OB=i+j+k and OC=-i+4j-2k

Now AB=OB-OA=-2i+3j-3k and AC=OC-OA=-4i+6j-6k ,

AB×AC=| i j k|

| -2 3 -3 | = 0

| -4 6 -6 |

∴Vectors AB and AC are collinear, but the point A is

common ,therefore points A,B and C are collinear.

Ex(4) Find the vector area of the triangle,the position vectors of
whose vertices are 2i+j-3k , i+2j+k , 3i+j-2k. Ans:- ½(i+5j-k)
Examples :-
 (1) Find sides and angles of triangle whose vertices
are i-2j+2k , 2i+j-k and 3i-j+2k .
Solution:- A

B C

Let OA =i^ -2 ^j +2k^ ,OB=2i^ + ^j -k^ ,OC =3i^ - ^j +2k^

AB=OB -OA = i+3j-3k , BC = i-2j+3k , CA = -2i-j

CosA= AB. AC /| AB|| AC | =√ 5/19 ∴A=cos−1(√ 5/19) , A=5908’12.68”

∴B=cos−1(√ 14 /19)=30051’47.32”
CosB= BA. BC /| BA|| BC | =
CosC = 0 ∴C=90 0
√ 14
19

(2) Find a unit vector perpendicular to PQand PR where

P=(2,2,0),Q=(0,3,5) & R=(5,0,3).Also find the Sine of angle

Solution:- PQ=-2i+j+5k , PR=3i-2j+3k ∴| PQ|=√ 30, | PR|=√ 22

between PQ& PR. IMU

∴ = 5 = 13i+21j+k
i j k
PQ × PR −2 1

∴| PQ × PR|=√ 169+441+1=√ 611

3 −2 3

If n^ is a unit vector perpendicular ¿ PQ & PR ,then n^ = PQ× PR/| PQ× PR|

=(13i+21j+k)/√ 611

If θ is the angle between PQ & PR ,then

Sinθ=| PQ× PR|/| PQ|.| PR∨¿ ¿ =√ 611/√ 30 √22
∴θ=sin ¿ ¿/√ 30 √22)
−1
 =74 11 18.33
(3 ) Find the area of the parallelogram
0 ' ''

whose adjacent sides are vectors are a=2i-

2j+k & b=i-3j-3k. IMU
Solution :- Let A be the area of the
parallelogram whose adjacent sides are
the vectors a&b.
∴The vector area of the parallelogram is
given by a×b=9i+7j-4k
∴A=|a×b∨¿=area of the¿parallelogram=√ 81+49+ 16=√ 146
Sq.units
(4)Show that the points with position
vectors 3i+7j+5k, 2i+6j+4k & 4i+8j+3k
are vertices of a right angled triangle.
Solution-
Let A,B,C be the points whose position
vectors are given in example .
Now find | AB|=AB , BC & AC.Also
find AB , BC & AC .
Check whether sum of the squre of any
2 2 2

two side is equal to the square of

remaining side.
Another Method:
Show that AB. AC =0 ∴∆ABC is right angled
at A.
(5)Find area of the triangle ,the position
vectors of whose vertices are i-2j+3k , j-k
& 2i+j.
Ans:-1/2(√ 94) sq. units i.e.4.85 sq.units
(6)If a=i+2j-3k &b=3i-j+2k.Calculate angle
between vectors 2a+b & a+2b. ( IMU
exam)
Ans:-θ=cos ¿¿)=51 41 1.92
(7) Show that the points
−1 0 ' ¿

A(0,1,2),B(4,5,6) &C(-8,-7,-6) are

collinear
Solution:
Find AB& BC .
∴ BC =-3 AB ∴ BC is a scaler multiple of AB.
∴ BC & AB are collinear vectors.
∴points A,B,C are collinear points.
(8)If the position vectors of the vertices of
triangle are i+2j+3k , 2i+3j+k & 3i+j+2k ,
show that the triangle is an equilateral
triangle.
Hints :-In ∆ABC ,p.v. of A,B,C are a,b,c
Find AB, BC & AC . Also find | AB|,| BC |&| AC |
∴| AB|=| BC |=| AC |=√ 6
∴(AB)=𝑙(BC)=𝑙(AC)
∴∆ABC is an equilateral triangle.
(9)Show that the points given below are
collinear
(a) P(3,-5,1),Q(-1,0,8),R(7,-10,-6)
 (b) A(6,-7,-1),B(2,-3,1),C(4,-5,0)
Hints :-Find PQ, PR & PQ× PR=0
Ex(10) : Find |a∨¿ ¿ & |b|if (a+b).(a - b)=8 and |
a∨¿ ¿=8|b∨¿ ¿ ( IMU Exam.July
2013)
Examples for practice:
Ex: Ifa =5i-j+7k and b =i-j+ λk , find 𝜆 for which a+b & a-b
are perpendicular(Orthogonal). IMU June 2015
Ex:If a+b+c =0, |a|=3 ,|b|=5 and |c|=7, find the angle
between a & b.
Hint: a+b =-c , take probuct of lhs & rhs,60 0

Ex: Find a unit vector perpendicular to the plane of the

vectors a=2i-6j-3k & b=4i+3j-k. ,
a× b
Hint: … =|a× b|
Ex: If a is a unit vector perpendicular to b & (a+2b).

Hint: ∵a is a unt vector perpendicular to b, a.a =1

(3a-b)=-9 , find |b|.

& a.b=b.a=0
Ans √ 6 .
Ex: Show that the points with positon vectors 2i+4j-k ,
4i+5j+k & 3i+7j+3k form an isosceles triangle.
Hint: |AB|=|BC| ∴ l ( AB )=l(BC )

EX:By vector method, find the area of the triangle

whose vertices are (3,-1,2),(1,-1,3) &(4,-3,1) IMU Dec13
EX:Given A=2i+2j-k ,B=6i-3j+2k.Find AХB & A.B.Also find
unit vector perpendicular to both A & B.Determine the
sine & cos of the angle between A& BImu Dec-13, Dec17
Ex:Show that the 3 points i-2j+3k ,2i+3j-4k,-7j+10k are
collinear. Imu July 2013
Ex: If A=i+2j-3k,B=3i-j+2k show that A+B is
perpendicular to A-B.Calculate the angle between 2A+B
& A+2B. July2013 Imu
Ex: Show that each of the three vectors is a unit vector
1/7(2i+3j+6k) , 1/7(3i-6j+2k) , 1/7(6i+2j-3k) .Also,
show that they are mutually perpendicular to each
other. Imu July13
Ex: Find the constant x so that the vectors a=2i-
j+k,b=i+2j-3k ,c=3i+xj+5k are coplaner. Dec2012
Ex:- Find the angle between the vectors i+j+k ,2i+4j+5k
Dec-2012
Ex:- Show that 3 points with position vectors 2i+3j,
3i+9j-4k & 5i+3j-4k are collinear. Dec-2012
Ex:- Find the values of a for which the vectors
3i+2j+9k ,i+aj+3k are (1) perpendicular (2) parallel- IMU
Ex:- Given A=2i+2j-k & B=6i-3j+2k .Find cosine of the
angle between A & B. June 2017
EX:- Find two vectors each of magnitude 5 &
perpendiculer to vectors 2i+j-3k & i-2j+k.
Dec2014
EX:- Find an unit vector normal to the plane of
A=3i-2j+4k & B=i+j-2k. 15 Dec-2017
Torque as a Vector Product:

The torque produced by a force takes the form of a

vector product. Torque is the twisting force that tends
to cause rotation .The point where the object rotates is
known as the axis of rotation.
Mathematically , torque can be written as given
below
Unit for torque is N-m

.r × F

θ r Ʈ= r × F sinθ , |Ʈ |=|r||F|sinθ

Torque= τ = r × F
Ex:- What is the torque of the force F=2i-3j+3k acting at
the point r=3i+2j+3k about the origin ?

Solution:- Ʈ=r×F

i j k
T= 3 2 3 = 15i-3j-13k N-m
2 −3 3
EX:- A force F=i+2j-3k is acting at a point Q=i-k .What is
torque about the origin ? 14 Dec-2015

Ex:- Find the torque about the point 2i+j-k of a force

represented by 4i+k acting through the point i-j+2k.
Dec. 2016

Solution:- F=4i+k , r=(1,-1,2)-(2,1,-1)=(-1,-2,3)

i j k
Ʈ=r×F = −1 −2 3 = -2i+13j+8k N-m
4 0 1

EX:- Find the constant λ so that the vectors a=2i-

j+k,b=i+2j-3k , c=3i+λj+5k are coplaner. 12DEC-2013

EX:- Find the vector area and hence the magnitude of

area of the triangle , the position vectors of whose
vertices are 2i+j-3k ,i+2j+k ,3i+j-2k.(IMU June 2018)

Ex:- The forces 2i-5j+6k ,-i+2j-k ,2i+7j act on a particle

which displaces it from 4i-3j-2k to 6i+j-k . Find the total
work done by these forces. ( IMU June 2018)

Velocities & Accelerations:-

If s denotes the liner displacement of moving particals
w.r.t. time t & s=f(t) then dt is the rate of change of
ds

displacement w.r.t. time . It is the velocity of the particle

 at a time t. Also if v is the velocity of the particle , then dt
dv

is the rate of change of velocity w.r.t. t . It is the

acceleration of the particle.
Ex(1) A particle is moving in such a way that its
displacement s at a time t is given by s=2t 2+5t+20 , find
the velocity & acceleration after 2 seconds.
Solution :-
We have s=2t 2+5t+20
∴ velocity= v=
dt =4t+5
ds

dt t=2 = 4(2)+5=13 units/sec

ds
( )

∴The velocity is 13 units per second

Acceleration = a = dt = 4
dv

( dt ¿ ¿t =2 = 4 ∴ The acceleration is 4 units / sec 2.

dv

Ex(2):- The displacement s of a moving particle at a

time t is given by s= 5+20t-2t 2 . Find its acceleration
when the velocity is zero.
Ans:- a=- 4 units.

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