U Kyaw Zay Myint

VECTORS
A directed line segment is called a vector.

A directed line segment with initial point A and terminal point B, is the vector denoted
by AB .

The magnitude of AB is denoted by AB .

Two-Dimensional Vector

 x
OA  a     x iˆ  y ˆj
 y

OA  a  x 2  y 2

 iˆ and ˆj are called unit vectors in the

positive direction of X-axis and Y-axis
respectively.
1  0
 iˆ    , ˆj   
 0 1

Three-Dimensional Vector

 x
 
OA  a   y   x iˆ  y ˆj  z kˆ
z
 

OA  a  x 2  y 2  z 2

 iˆ , ˆj and kˆ are called unit vectors in the

positive direction of X-axis , Y-axis and Z-axis
respectively.

1 0 0

     
 iˆ   0  , ˆj   1  , kˆ   0 
0 0 1
     
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Position Vector

The position of the point A relative to the origin O is denoted by OA .

OA is called position vector of A .

 A vector between two points A and B can be expressed in terms of their position
vectors.

AB  OB  OA and BA  OA  OB

Unit Vector
A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude is 1 .

The unit vector in the direction of a , denoted by â , is given by

a
aˆ  .
a

Section Formula

If AP : PB  m : n , then

p
1
mn

mb  na 

Midpoint Formula
If P is the midpoint of AB , then

p
1
2
a b 

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Example (1)

Find a unit vector in the direction of the vector a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ .

Solution

a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

a  32  22  12  9  4  1  14

aˆ 
a
a

1
14

3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ 
14

3 ˆ
i
2 ˆ
14
j
1 ˆ
14
k 

Example (2)

Find a vector of magnitude 15 units in the direction of the vector iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ .

Solution

Let a  iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ

a  12  22   2   1  4  4  9  3
2

aˆ 
a 1 ˆ

 i  2 ˆj  2kˆ
a 3

A vector of magnitude 15unitsin the direction of a  15aˆ

 15 
3

1 ˆ
i  2 ˆj  2kˆ 
 5iˆ  10 ˆj 10kˆ 

Example (3)

If a  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , b  3iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ and c  3iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , find a vector of magnitude 9 units
which is parallel to the vector a  2b  3c .

Solution

a  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , b  3iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ , c  3iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

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  
a  2b  3c  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ  2 3iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ  3 3iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ 
 1  6  9  iˆ  1  6  3 ˆj   2  8  9  kˆ

 2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

a  2b  3c   2    2    1  4  4 1  9  3
2 2 2

Unit vactor parallel to a  2b  3c  

a  2b  3c
a  2b  3c

1
3

2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ 
 1
 3

A vector of magnitude 9 units which is parallel to a  2b  3c  9   2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ 

 

 3 2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ  

Example (4)

Show that the three points A 1, 2, 8  , B  5, 0, 2  and C 11,3, 7  are collinear.

Solution

A 1, 2, 8 , B  5, 0, 2  , C 11,3, 7 

1  5 11
     
OA   2  , OB   0  , OC   3 
 8   2  7
     

AB  OB  OA

 5   1   4
     
  0    2    2 
 2   8   6 
     

AC  OC  OA

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11  1  10   4
      5  5
  3    2    5   2  AB
 7   8   15  2   2
      6

5
 AC  AB and AC AB
2

 A , B and C arecollinear.

Alternative method

A 1, 2, 8 , B  5, 0, 2  , C 11,3, 7 

OA  iˆ  2 ˆj  8kˆ , OB  5iˆ  2kˆ , OC  11iˆ  3 ˆj  7kˆ

AB  OB  OA

  
 5iˆ  2kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  8kˆ 
 4iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

AC  OC  OA

  
 11iˆ  3 ˆj  7 kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  8kˆ 
 10iˆ  5 ˆj  15kˆ


5 ˆ
2
 
5
4i  2 ˆj  6kˆ  AB
2

5
 AC  AB and AC AB
2

 A , B and C arecollinear.

Example (5)

The position vectors of points A and B relative to an origin O are 2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ and
5iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ respectively. P is a point on AB such that AP : PB  1: 2 .Find the position
vector of P , relative to O.
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Solution

OA  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ , OB  5iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ

AP : PB  1: 2  Given 

OP 
1
1 2

OB  2OA 
 
1 ˆ
3

5i  3 ˆj  2kˆ  2 2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ 

3

1 ˆ
9i  3 ˆj  6kˆ 
 3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 

Exercise (1)

1. Write down the magnitude of each of the following vectors:

(i) a  5iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ (ii) b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

(iii) c  3iˆ  5 ˆj  kˆ (iv) d  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

2. Find a unit vactor in the direction of the vector:

(i) 2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ (ii) 5iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ

(iii) iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ (iv) 3iˆ  4kˆ

3. If a  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ and b  iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ then find the unit vector in the direction of a  b .

4. If a  iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ and b  2iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ then find the unit vector parallel to a  b .

5. Find a vector of magnitude 9 units in the direction of the vector 2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ .

6. Find a vector of magnitude 21 units in the opposite direction of the vector 2iˆ  3 ˆj  6kˆ .

7. If A  2,1, 2  and B  2, 1, 6  are two given points, find a unit vector in the direction of
AB .
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8. Show that the points A , B and C having position vectors 2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , 3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and
iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ respectively, are collinear.

9. Find the position vector of a point P which divides the line joining A  2,1,3 and
B  3,5, 2  such that AP : PB  2 :1 .

10. If AB  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ and A 1, 2, 1 is the given point , find the coordinates of B.

11. Write a unit vector in the direction of PQ , where P and Q are the points 1,3, 0  and
 4,5, 6  respectively.

Solution

1. (i) a  5iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

a  52  12   2   25  1  4  30 
2

(ii) b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

b  12   2   32  1  4  9  14 
2

(iii) c  3iˆ  5 ˆj  kˆ

c   3  52  12  9  25  1  35 
2

(iv) d  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

 2    3
2 2
d  12   1 2  3  6 

2. (i) Let a  2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

a  22  22  12  4  4  1  9  3

aˆ 
a 1 ˆ
 2 2
 1
 2i  2 ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
a 3 3 3 3
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(ii) Let a  5iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ

a  52   4   32  25  16  9  50  5 2
2

aˆ 
a

1
a 5 2

5iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ 
1 ˆ
2
i
4 ˆ
5 2
j 
3 ˆ
5 2
k 

(iii) Let a  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

 
2
a  12  12   2  11 2  4  2

aˆ 
a 1 ˆ ˆ
 1 1
 i  j  2kˆ  iˆ  ˆj 
a 2 2 2 2
2 ˆ
k  
(iv) Let a  3iˆ  4kˆ

a  32   4   9  16  25  5
2

aˆ 
a 1 ˆ
 3 4
 3i  4kˆ  iˆ  kˆ 
a 5 5 5


3. a  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , b  iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ

  
a  b  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ 
 3iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ

a  b  32  32  42  9  9  16  34

a b
Unit vector in the direction of a  b 
a b


1
34
 
3iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ 
3 ˆ
34
i
3 ˆ
34
j
4 ˆ
34
k

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4. a  iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ , b  2iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ

  
a  b  iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ  2iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ 
 3iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ

a  b  32  32  22  9  9  4  22

a b
Unit vector parallel to a  b  
a b


1
22
 
3iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ 

5. Let a  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

a   2   12  22  4  1  4  9  3
2

aˆ 
a 1

 2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ
a 3

A vector of magnitude 9 unitsin the direction of a  9aˆ

 9
1
3
2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 6iˆ  3 ˆj  6kˆ 

6. Let a  2iˆ  3 ˆj  6kˆ

a  22   3  62  4  9  36  49  7
2

aˆ 
a 1 ˆ

 2i  3 ˆj  6kˆ
a 7


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A vector of magnitude 21 unitsin the oppositedirection of a  21aˆ

 21
7

1 ˆ
2i  3 ˆj  6kˆ 
 6iˆ  9 ˆj  18kˆ 

7. A  2,1, 2  , B  2, 1, 6 

 2  2
   
OA   1  , OB   1
 2 6
   

AB  OB  OA

 2   2   4 
     
  1    1    2 
6  2  4
     

AB  42   2   42  16  4  16  36  6
2

 2 
 
 4  3 
AB 1    1 
Unit vector in the direction of AB   2   
AB 6    3 
 4  2 
 
 3 

Alternative method

A  2,1, 2  , B  2, 1, 6 

OA  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , OB  2iˆ  ˆj  6kˆ

AB  OB  OA

  
 2iˆ  ˆj  6kˆ  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 4iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ
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AB  42   2   42  16  4  16  36  6
2

AB
Unit vector in the direction of AB 
AB


6

1 ˆ
4i  2 ˆj  4kˆ 
2 1 2
 iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
3 3 3

8. OA  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , OB  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , OC  iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ

AB  OB  OA

  
 3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
 iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ

BC  OC  OB

  
 iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ 
 2iˆ  6 ˆj  4kˆ

 
 2 iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ  2 AB

 BC  2 AB and BC AB

 A , B and C arecollinear.

9. A  2,1,3 , B  3,5, 2 

 2   3
   
OA   1  , OB   5 
 3  2 
   

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AP : PB  2 : 1  Given 

OP 
1
2 1

2OB  OA 
  3   2  
1     
 2  5    1 
3    
  2   3  

 4 
 
 6   2   4  3 
1      1  
  10    1     11   
11 

3     3   3 
 4   3    1  1 
  
 3

Alternative method

A  2,1,3 , B  3,5, 2 

OA  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , OB  3iˆ  5 ˆj  2kˆ

AP : PB  2 : 1  Given 

OP 
1
2 1

2OB  OA 
1
  
  2 3iˆ  5 ˆj  2kˆ  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ 
3  

3

1 ˆ
 4 11 1
4i  11 ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
3 4 3

10. A 1, 2, 1

OA  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

AB  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

OB  OA  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ
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OB  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ  OA

 2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

 3iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ

 B   3,3, 4  

11. P 1,3, 0  , Q  4,5, 6 

1  4
   
OP   3  , OQ   5 
0 6
   

PQ  OQ  OP

 4 1  3
     
  5   3   2
 6 0  6
     

PQ  32  22  62  9  4  36  49  7

PQ
Unit vector in the direction of PQ 
PQ

3
 
 3  7 
1 
  2    
2
7   7
 
6  
 6 
7

Alternative method

P 1,3, 0  , Q  4,5, 6 

OP  iˆ  3 ˆj , OQ  4iˆ  5 ˆj  6kˆ

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PQ  OQ  OP

  
 4iˆ  5 ˆj  6kˆ  iˆ  3 ˆj 
 3iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

PQ  32  22  62  9  4  36  49  7

PQ
Unit vector in the direction of PQ 
PQ


7

1 ˆ
3i  2 ˆj  6kˆ 
3 2 6
 iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
7 7 7

Scalar Product (Dot Product) Of Two Vectors

Let a and b be two vectors and  be the angle between them , 0     .

a . b  a b cos   ab cos 

 The scalar product of two vectors is a scalar.

 a . a  a a cos 0  a
2

Properties Of Scalar Product

 a . b b . a
  a  . b    a . b 
  ka  . b  k  a . b 
 a . b 0  a b
 
 a . b c  a . b a . c

 iˆ . iˆ  ˆj . ˆj  kˆ . kˆ  1
 iˆ . ˆj  ˆj . kˆ  kˆ . iˆ  0
 If a  a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3kˆ , b  b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3kˆ then a . b  a1b1  a2b2  a3b3 .
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Example (6)

If a  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and b  3iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ , find a . b .

Solution

a  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , b  3iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ

 
a . b  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ . 3iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ 
 38 2

9 

Example (7)

Find the value of  for which a and b are perpendicular , where a  2iˆ   ˆj  kˆ and
b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ .

Solution

a  2iˆ   ˆj  kˆ , b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

a b  a . b  0

 2iˆ   ˆj  kˆ  . iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ   0

2  2  3  0

2  5

5
  
2

Example (8)

If a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , show that a  b is perpendicular to a  b .

Solution

a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

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  
a  b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 4iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

  
a  b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 2iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ

 a  b  .  a  b    4iˆ  ˆj  kˆ  .  2iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ 

 8  3  5

0

 a  b is perpendicular to a  b.

Example (9)

If a  a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3kˆ and b  b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3kˆ then prove that a . b  a1b1  a2b2  a3b3 .

Solution

a  a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3kˆ , b  b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3kˆ

  
a . b  a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3kˆ . b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3kˆ 
             
 a1b1 iˆ . iˆ  a1b2 iˆ . ˆj  a1b3 iˆ . kˆ  a2b1 ˆj . iˆ  a2b2 ˆj . ˆj  a2b3 ˆj . kˆ  a3b1 kˆ . iˆ 

   
a3b2 kˆ . ˆj  a3b3 kˆ . kˆ

 a1b1 1  a1b2  0   a1b3  0   a2b1  0   a2b2 1  a2b3  0   a3b1  0   a3b2  0   a3b3 1
 a1b1  a2b2  a3b3 

Example (10)

Find the angle between the vectors a and b when a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ .

Solution

a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ
Let  be theangle between a and b.
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a . b  a b cos 

a .b
cos  
a b


iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  .3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ 
 1   2  3  
2 2 2
32   2   12
2

3 43

 14  14 
10 5
   0.7143
14 7

   44 25   0   

Example (11)

If a is a unit vector such that  x  a  .  x  a   8 , find x .

Solution

 x  a  . x  a   8
x . x  x .a  a . x  a .a  8

x  a 8  x .a  a . x 
2 2

x 1  8  a is a unit vector 
2

x 9
2

 x 3 

Exercise (2)

1. Find a . b when

(i) a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  2 ˆj  4kˆ

(ii) a  iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ and b  3iˆ  2kˆ

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2. Find the value of  for which a and b are perpendicular , where

(i) a  3iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ and b  iˆ  3 ˆj  3kˆ

(ii) a  2iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ and b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

(iii) a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ and b  5 ˆj  kˆ

3. Find the angle between the vectors a and b , when

(i) a  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ and b  2iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ

(ii) a  iˆ  ˆj and b  ˆj  kˆ

4. If a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ then calculate the angle between 2a  b and

a  2b .

5.  
If a and b are two unit vectors such that a  b  3 , find 2a  5b . 3a  b . 

Solution

1. (i) a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  2 ˆj  4kˆ

 
a . b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ . 2 ˆj  4kˆ 
 0  4  12

8 

(ii) a  iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ , b  3iˆ  2kˆ

 
a . b  iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ . 3iˆ  2kˆ 
 3  0  10

 7 

2. (i) a  3iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ , b  iˆ  3 ˆj  3kˆ

a b  a . b  0

3iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ  . iˆ  3 ˆj  3kˆ   0

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 3  3  12  0

3  9

  3 

(ii) a  2iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ , b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

a b  a . b  0

 2iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ  .3iˆ  2 ˆj   kˆ   0
6 8   0

   2 

(iii) a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ , b  5 ˆj  kˆ

a b  a . b  0

3iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ  . 5 ˆj   kˆ   0
0  10  5  0

5  10

   2 

3. (i) a  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , b  2iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ

Let  be theangle between a and b.

a . b  a b cos 

a .b
cos  
a b


3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ  . 2iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ 
 32  12  22  22   2   42
2

628

 14  24 
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12 12 3
    0.6547
336 4 21 21

   49 6   0   

(ii) a  iˆ  ˆj , b  ˆj  kˆ

Let  be theangle between a and b.

a . b  a b cos 

a .b
cos  
a b


 iˆ  ˆj  . ˆj  kˆ 
 1   1   1 1 
2 2 2 2

0 1  0

 2  2 
1

2
2
    0   
3

4. a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

  
Let u  2a  b  2 iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 5iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ

  
Let v  a  2b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  2 3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 7iˆ  kˆ
Let  be theangle between u and v.

u . v  u v cos 

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u .v
cos  
u v


5iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ  . 7iˆ  kˆ 
 52  32   4 
2
 7 2  12 
35  0  4

 50  50 
31
  0.62
50

   51 41   0   

5. a 1 , b 1  a and b are unit vectors 

a b  3

2
a b 3

 a  b  . a  b   3
a . a  a .b  b . a  b .b  3

   
2
a  2 a .b  b  3 a .b  b . a
2

 
1  2 a .b  1  3

1
a .b 
2

 2a  5b  .3a  b   6  a . a   2  a .b   15 b . a   5 b . b 
   
2
 6 a  13 a . b  5 b a .b  b . a
2

13
 6 5
2
11
 
2
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Vector Product (Cross Product) Of Two Vectors
Let a and b be two vectors and  be the angle between them , 0     .


a  b  a b sin  nˆ 
 nˆ is the unit vector perpendicular to both a and b

such that a , b and nˆ forma right handedsystem.

 The vector product of two vectors is a vector.

 a  b  a b sin 

ab
 sin  
a b

ab
 nˆ 
ab

Properties Of Vector Product

 a  b   b a  
 
 b  a  a  b  b   a 


 ma  b  m a  b  a  mb   
  
 a  b  c  a  b  a  c  
  
 a  b  c  a  b  a  c  
 a b 0a b

 iˆ  iˆ  ˆj  ˆj  kˆ  kˆ  0

 iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , ˆj  kˆ  iˆ , kˆ  iˆ  ˆj
iˆ ˆj kˆ
 If a  a1iˆ  a2 ˆj  a3 kˆ and b  b1iˆ  b2 ˆj  b3kˆ then a  b  a1 a2 a3 .
b1 b2 b3

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Example (12)

If a  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ and b  4iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , find a  b and a  b .

Solution

a  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , b  4iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  2 1 3
4 1 2

  2  3 iˆ   4  12  ˆj   2  4  kˆ

 iˆ  16 ˆj  6kˆ 

a b   1  162  62  1  256  36  293 

2

Example (13)

If a  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ and b  iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ then find a  b and verify that a  b is

perpendicular to each one of a and b .
Solution

a  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ , b  iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  1 3 2
1 1 5

  15  2  iˆ   5  2  ˆj  1  3 kˆ

 17iˆ  7 ˆj  2kˆ 

 a  b  . a   17iˆ  7 ˆj  2kˆ  .iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ 

 17  21  4  0

 
 a b  a 

 a  b  .b   17iˆ  7 ˆj  2kˆ  . iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ 

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 17  7  10  0

 
 a b  b 

Example (14)

Find a unit vector perpendicular to each one of the vectors a  3iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ and

b  6iˆ  5 ˆj  2kˆ .
Solution

a  3iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ , b  6iˆ  5 ˆj  2kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  3 1 4
6 5 2

  2  20  iˆ   6  24  ˆj  15  6  kˆ

 18iˆ  18 ˆj  9kˆ

a  b  182   18  92  324  324  81  729  27

2

ab
The unit vector perpendicular to both a and b  nˆ 
ab


1
27

18iˆ  18 ˆj  9kˆ 
2 2 1
 iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
3 3 3

Example (15)
Find a vector of magnitude 45 units , which is perpendicular to both the vectors
a  2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and b  4iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ .
Solution

a  2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and b  4iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

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iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  2 2 1
4 1 3

  6  1 iˆ   6  4  ˆj   2  8 kˆ

 5iˆ  10 ˆj  10kˆ

a  b  52   10    10   25  100  100  225  15

2 2

ab
The unit vector perpendicular to both a and b  nˆ 
ab


15

1 ˆ
5i  10 ˆj  10kˆ 
The required vector   45 nˆ

  45 
1 ˆ
15

5i  10 ˆj  10kˆ 
 
  3 5iˆ  10 ˆj  10kˆ 

Example (16)

If a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , find 2a  b .

Solution

a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  1 2 3
1 1 2

  4  3 iˆ   2  3 ˆj   1  2  kˆ

 7iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

   
2a  b  2 a  b  2 7iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ  14iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

2a  b  142  22   6   196  4  36  236 

2

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Alternative method

a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

 
2a  2 iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  2iˆ  4 ˆj  6kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
2a  b  2 4 6
1 1 2

 8  6 iˆ   4  6  ˆj   2  4  kˆ

 14iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

2a  b  142  22   6   196  4  36  236 

2

Example (17)

If a  3 , b  26 and a  b  5iˆ 10 ˆj 10kˆ , find the angle between a and b .

Solution

a  3 , b  26 , a  b  5iˆ  10 ˆj  10kˆ

Let  be theangle between a and b.

a  b  52   10    10   25  100  100  225  15

2 2

a  b  a b sin 

15  3  26 sin 
5
sin    0.9806
26

  78 42 

Example (18)

Find the sine of the angle between the vectors a  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ and b  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ .

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Solution

a  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , b  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ

Let  be theangle between a and b.

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  2 1 2
1 3 2

  2  6  iˆ   4  2  ˆj   6  1 kˆ

 4iˆ  6 ˆj  7kˆ

a b
sin  
a b

 4   62  7 2
2


 22   1  22
2
  1  3   2 
2 2 2

101
 
3 14

Exercise (3)

1. Find a  b and a  b , when

(i) a  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ and b  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

(ii) a  3iˆ  5 ˆj  2kˆ and b  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

(iii) a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ and b  iˆ  7 ˆj  7kˆ

(iv) a  3iˆ  kˆ and b  4iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

2. Find  if  2iˆ  6 ˆj  14kˆ   iˆ   ˆj  7kˆ   0 .

3. If a  3iˆ  4 ˆj  7kˆ and b  6iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , find a  b .

Verify that a  b is perpendicular to each one of a and b .

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4. Find the value of :

 
(i) iˆ  ˆj . kˆ  iˆ . ˆj

 
(ii) kˆ  ˆj . iˆ  ˆj . kˆ

   
(iii) iˆ  ˆj  kˆ  ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  kˆ  iˆ  ˆj  
5. Find the unit vectors perpendicular to both a and b when

(i) a  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ and b  2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ

(ii) a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

(iii) a  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ and b  iˆ  3kˆ

(iv) a  4iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and b  iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ

6. Find a vector of magnitude 6 units , which is perpendicular to both the vectors

a  4iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ and b  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ .

7. Find the angle between two vectors a and b with magnitudes 1 and 2 respectively
and a  b  3 .

8. Write the value of p for which a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  9kˆ and b  iˆ  p ˆj  3kˆ are parallel
vectors.

9.    
Verify that a  b  c  a  b   a  c  , when

(i) a  iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , b  4iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and c  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

(ii) a  4iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , b  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ and c  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ .

10. If a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  iˆ  3kˆ then find b  2a .

11. If a  2 , b  5 and a  b  8 , find a . b .

12. If a  2 , b  7 and a  b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ , find the angle between a and b .

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Solution

1. (i) a  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ , b  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  2 3 4
1 1 2

  6  4  iˆ   4  4  ˆj   2  3 kˆ

 2iˆ  8 ˆj  5kˆ 

a  b  22   8   5   4  64  25  93 
2 2

(ii) a  3iˆ  5 ˆj  2kˆ , b  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  3 5 2
2 1 3

 15  2  iˆ   9  4  ˆj   3  10  kˆ

 17iˆ  13 ˆj  7kˆ 

a  b  172   13   7   289  169  49  507  13 3 

2 2

(iii) a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ , b  iˆ  7 ˆj  7kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  3 2 2
1 7 7

  14  14  iˆ   21  2  ˆj   21  2  kˆ

 19 ˆj 19kˆ 

a b   19    19   361  361  2  361  19 2 

2 2

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(iv) a  3iˆ  kˆ , b  4iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  3 0 1
4 1 2

  0  1 iˆ   6  4  ˆj   3  0  kˆ

 iˆ  10 ˆj  3kˆ 

a b   1  102  32  1  100  9  110 

2

2.  2iˆ  6 ˆj  14kˆ   iˆ   ˆj  7kˆ   0

iˆ ˆj kˆ
2 6 14  0
1  7

 42  14  iˆ  14 14 ˆj   2  6 kˆ  0

 42  14  iˆ   2  6 kˆ  0
42  14  0    3

 2  6  0    3

   3 

Alternative method

 2iˆ  6 ˆj  14kˆ   iˆ   ˆj  7kˆ   0

Let a  2iˆ  6 ˆj  14kˆ , b  iˆ   ˆj  7kˆ
a b 0  a b
Let b  t a  t  constant 
iˆ   ˆj  7kˆ  2t iˆ  6t ˆj  14t kˆ
1  2t ,    6t , 7  14t
1
t and   3
2
   3 
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3. a  3iˆ  4 ˆj  7kˆ , b  6iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b   3 4 7
6 2 3

  12  14  iˆ   9  42  ˆj   6  24  kˆ

 2iˆ  51 ˆj  30kˆ 

 a  b  . a   2iˆ  51 ˆj  30kˆ  . 3iˆ  4 ˆj  7kˆ 

 6  204  210  0


 a b  a  
 a  b  .b   2iˆ  51 ˆj  30kˆ  . 6iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ 
 12  102  90  0


 a b  b  

4.  
(i) iˆ  ˆj . kˆ  iˆ . ˆj  kˆ . kˆ  0

1   kˆ . kˆ  1 
 
(ii) kˆ  ˆj . iˆ  ˆj . kˆ  iˆ . iˆ  0

 
  iˆ . iˆ  1 

     
(iii) iˆ  ˆj  kˆ  ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  kˆ  iˆ  ˆj

  iˆ  ˆj    iˆ  kˆ    ˆj  kˆ    ˆj  iˆ    kˆ  iˆ    kˆ  ˆj 

 kˆ  ˆj  iˆ  kˆ  ˆj  iˆ

0 

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5. (i) a  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , b  2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  3 1 2
2 3 1

  1  6  iˆ   3  4  ˆj   9  2  kˆ

 5iˆ  ˆj  7kˆ

a  b  52   1  7 2  25  1  49  75  5 3
2

ab
The unit vector perpendicular to both a and b  nˆ 
ab


5 3
1
5iˆ  ˆj  7kˆ 
1 ˆ 1 ˆ 7 ˆ
 i j k 
3 5 3 5 3

(ii) a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  1 2 3
1 2 1

  2  6 iˆ   1  3 ˆj   2  2  kˆ

 4iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ

a b   4   42  42  16  16  16  48  4 3
2

ab
The unit vector perpendicular to both a and b  nˆ 
ab


4
1
3
 4iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ 

1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ
 i j k 
3 3 3

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(iii) a  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ , b  iˆ  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  1 3 2
1 0 3

  9  0 iˆ   3  2  ˆj   0  3 kˆ

 9iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

a  b  92   1  32  81  1  9  91
2

ab
The unit vector perpendicular to both a and b  nˆ 
ab


1
91

9iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ 
9 ˆ 1 ˆ 3 ˆ
 i j k 
91 91 91

(iv) a  4iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , b  iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  4 2 1
1 4 1

  2  4 iˆ   4  1 ˆj  16  2  kˆ

 2iˆ  3 ˆj  14kˆ

a  b  22  32  142  4  9  196  209

ab
The unit vector perpendicular to both a and b  nˆ 
ab


1
209

2iˆ  3 ˆj  14kˆ 
2 ˆ 3 ˆ 14 ˆ
 i j k 
209 209 209

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6. a  4iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , b  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  4 1 3
2 1 2

  2  3 iˆ   8  6  ˆj   4  2  kˆ

 iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ

a b   1  22  22  1  4  4  9  3
2

ab
The unit vector perpendicular to both a and b  nˆ 
ab


3

1 ˆ
i  2 ˆj  2kˆ 
The required vector   6 nˆ

  6
3

1 ˆ
i  2 ˆj  2kˆ 

  2 iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ  

7. a 1 , b  2 , a  b  3

Let  be theangle between a and b.

a  b  a b sin 

3  1 2 sin 

3
sin  
2

 
3

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8. a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  9kˆ , b  iˆ  p ˆj  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  3 2 9
1 p 3

  6  9 p  iˆ   9  9  ˆj   3 p  2  kˆ

  6  9 p  iˆ   3 p  2  kˆ

a b 0  a b

 6  9 p  iˆ  3 p  2 kˆ  0
2
69p  0  p 
3
2
3p  2  0  p 
3
2
p 
3

Alternative method

a  3iˆ  2 ˆj  9kˆ , b  iˆ  p ˆj  3kˆ

a b  Given 

Let b  t a  t  constant 
iˆ  p ˆj  3kˆ  3t iˆ  2t ˆj  9t kˆ
1  3t , p  2t , 3  9t

1 2
t and p 
3 3
2
 p 
3

9. (i) a  iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , b  4iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ , c  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

  
b  c  4iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
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 6iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ

a  b  c  1 1 3 
6 4 3

  3  12 iˆ   3  18 ˆj   4  6  kˆ

 9iˆ  15 ˆj  2kˆ ........... 1

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  1 1 3
4 3 1

  1  9  iˆ  1  12  ˆj   3  4  kˆ

 8iˆ  11 ˆj  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  c  1 1 3
2 1 2

  2  3 iˆ   2  6  ˆj   1  2  kˆ

 iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ

 a  b    a  c   8iˆ  11 ˆj  kˆ   iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ 
 9iˆ  15 ˆj  2kˆ ...........  2

From 1 and  2  ,

  
a  b  c  a  b  a  c   
(ii) a  4iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , b  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , c  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ


b  c  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ   
 2iˆ  2kˆ

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iˆ ˆj kˆ

a  b  c  4 1 1 
2 0 2

  2  0  iˆ  8  2  ˆj   0  2  kˆ

 2iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ ........... 1

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  4 1 1
1 1 1

  1  1 iˆ   4  1 ˆj   4  1 kˆ

 2iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  c  4 1 1
1 1 1

  1  1 iˆ   4  1 ˆj   4  1 kˆ

 3 ˆj  3kˆ

 a  b    a  c    2iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ    3 ˆj  3kˆ 

 2iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ ...........  2 

From 1 and  2  ,

  
a  b  c  a  b  a  c   

10. a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  iˆ  3kˆ

 
2a  2 iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  2iˆ  4 ˆj  6kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
b  2a  1 0 3
2 4 6

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  0  12  iˆ   6  6  ˆj   4  0  kˆ

 12iˆ  12 ˆj  4kˆ

b  2a   12    12    4   144  144  16  304  4 19 

2 2 2

Alternative method

a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  iˆ  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
ba1 0 3
1 2 3

  0  6  iˆ   3  3 ˆj   2  0  kˆ

 6iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ

   
b  2a  2 b  a  2 6iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ  12iˆ  12 ˆj  4kˆ

b  2a   12    12    4   144  144  16  304  4 19 

2 2 2

11. a 2 , b 5 , a  b 8

Let  be theangle between a and b.

a  b  a b sin 

8  2  5 sin 

4
sin  
5

16 9 3
cos   1  sin 2   1   
25 25 5

a . b  a b cos 

3
 2 5  6 
5

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12. a  2 , b  7 , a  b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

a  b  32  22  62  9  4  36  49  7

Let  be theangle between a and b.

a  b  a b sin 

7  2  7sin 

1
sin  
2

 
6

Area of a Parallelogram
Two adjacent sides of a parallelogram are represented by a and b respectively.

Prove that the area of the parallelogram is a  b .

Proof: Let ABCD be a parallelogram. Join BD.

Let AB  a , AD  b and BAD   .

Draw DE  AB .
1
  ABD   . AB. DE
2
1
 a b sin 
2
1
 ab
2

   gm ABCD   2    ABD   a  b 

 a  b iscalled the vector area of the parallelogram.

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Area of a Triangle
1
Prove that the area of ABC , where AB  a and AC  b , is ab .
2
Proof: Let BAC   and draw CD  AB .
1
  ABC   . AB. CD
2
1
 a b sin 
2
1
 ab 
2


1
2
 
a  b is called the vector area of ABC.

Area of a Quadrilateral
1
Prove that the area of a quadrilateral ABCD with diagonals AC and BD is AC  BD .
2
Proof: Vector area of quadrilateral ABCD

  Vector area of ABC    Vector area of ACD 


1
2
 1
 
AB  AC  AC  AD
2


1
2
 1
 
AC  AB  AC  AD
2


1
2
 
AC  AD  AB 

1
2

AC  BD 
1
   quadrilateral ABCD   AC  BD 
2

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Example (19)
Find the area of the triangle whose adjacent sides are represented by the vectors
a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ .
Solution

a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b  1 2 3
1 2 3

  6  6 iˆ   3  3 ˆj   2  2  kˆ

 6 ˆj  4kˆ

a  b  62  42  36  16  52  2 13

1
Area of the triangle  a b
2
1
  2 13  13 sq units 
2

Example (20)
Using vectors , find the area of ABC whose vertices are A 1,1, 2  , B  2,3,5  and
C 1,5,5  .

Solution
A 1,1, 2  , B  2,3,5  , C 1,5,5 

OA  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , OB  2iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ , OC  iˆ  5 ˆj  5kˆ

AB  OB  OA

  
 2iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

AC  OC  OA

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  
 iˆ  5 ˆj  5kˆ  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 4 ˆj  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
AB  AC  1 2 3
0 4 3

  6  12 iˆ   3  0  ˆj   4  0  kˆ

 6iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ

AB  AC   6    3  42  36  9  16  61
2 2

1
   ABC   AB  AC
2

1 61
  61  sq units 
2 2

Example (21)
Find the area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are represented by the vectors
a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ .
Solution

a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  1 2 3
 3 2 1

  2  6  iˆ  1  9  ˆj   2  6  kˆ

 8iˆ 10 ˆj  4kˆ

Area of parallelogram  a  b

 82   10   42  64  100  16  180  6 5 sq units 

2

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Example (22)
Find the area of the parallelogram whose diagonals are represented by the vectors
d  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ and d  iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ .
1 2

Solution

d1  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , d 2  iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
d1  d 2  3 1 2
1 3 4

  4  6 iˆ  12  2  ˆj   9  1 kˆ

 2iˆ 14 ˆj 10kˆ

d1  d 2   2    14    10   4  196  100  300  10 3

2 2 2

1
Area of parallelogram  d1  d 2
2
1
 10 3  5 3 sq units 
2

Exercise (4)
1. Find the area of the triangle whose adjacent sides are represented by the vectors

(i) a  2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

(ii) a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

2. Using vectors , find the area of ABC whose vertices are

(i) A 1, 2,3 , B  2, 1, 4  and C  4,5, 1

(ii) A  3, 1, 2  , B 1, 1, 3 and C  4, 3,1

3. Find the area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are represented by the vectors

(i) a  3iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ and b  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

(ii) a  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ and b  iˆ  ˆj

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4. Find the area of the parallelogram whose diagonals are represented by the vectors

(i) d1  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ and d 2  3iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ

(ii) d1  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ and d 2  iˆ  2 ˆj

Solution

1. (i) a  2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , b  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  2 2 1
1 2 3

  6  2  iˆ   6  1 ˆj   4  2  kˆ

 4iˆ  7 ˆj  6kˆ

a b   4   72  62  16  49  36  101
2

1
Area of the triangle  a b
2

1 101
  101  sq units 
2 2

(ii) a  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , b  iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  1 2 3
1 2 6

 12  6  iˆ   6  3 ˆj   2  2  kˆ

 6iˆ  3 ˆj

a  b  62   3  36  9  45  3 5
2

1
Area of the triangle  a b
2

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1 3 5
 3 5  sq units 
2 2
2. (i) A 1, 2,3 , B  2, 1, 4  , C  4,5, 1

OA  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , OB  2iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ , OC  4iˆ  5 ˆj  kˆ

AB  OB  OA

  
 2iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ 
 iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ

AC  OC  OA

  
 4iˆ  5 ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ 
 3iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
AB  AC  1 3 1
3 3 4

 12  3 iˆ   4  3 ˆj   3  9  kˆ

 9iˆ  7 ˆj  12kˆ

AB  AC  92  72  122  81  49  144  274

1
   ABC   AB  AC
2

1 274
  274  sq units 
2 2

(ii) A  3, 1, 2  , B 1, 1, 3 , C  4, 3,1

OA  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , OB  iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , OC  4iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ

AB  OB  OA

  
 iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
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 2iˆ  5kˆ

AC  OC  OA

  
 4iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
 iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
AB  AC  2 0 5
1 2 1

  0  10  iˆ   2  5 ˆj   4  0  kˆ

 10iˆ  7 ˆj  4kˆ

AB  AC   10    7   42  100  49  16  165

2 2

1
   ABC   AB  AC
2

1 165
  165  sq units 
2 2

3. (i) a  3iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ , b  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  3 1 4
1 1 1

 1  4 iˆ   3  4  ˆj   3  1 kˆ

 5iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ

Area of parallelogram  a  b

 52  12   4   25  1  16  42 sq units 
2

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(ii) a  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , b  iˆ  ˆj

iˆ ˆj kˆ
a b  2 1 3
1 1 0

  0  3 iˆ   0  3 ˆj   2  1 kˆ

 3iˆ  3 ˆj  3kˆ

Area of parallelogram  a  b

 32  32   3  9  9  9  27  3 3 sq units 
2

4. (i) d1  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ , d 2  3iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ

iˆ ˆj kˆ
d1  d 2  2 1 1
3 4 1

 1  4 iˆ   2  3 ˆj  8  3 kˆ

 3iˆ  5 ˆj  11kˆ

d1  d 2   3  52  112  9  25  121  155

2

1
Area of parallelogram  d1  d 2
2

1 155
  155  sq units 
2 2

(ii) d1  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ , d 2  iˆ  2 ˆj

iˆ ˆj kˆ
d1  d 2  1 3 2
1 2 0

  0  4  iˆ   0  2  ˆj   2  3 kˆ

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 4iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

d1  d 2   4    2    1  16  4  1  21
2 2 2

1
Area of parallelogram  d1  d 2
2
1 21
  21  sq units 
2 2

Straight Line In Space

Equation of a line passing through a given point and parallel to a given vector
Vector Equation
The vector equation of a straight line passing through a given point with position vector
r1 and parallel to a given vector m is r  r1   m , where  is a scalar.

Let O be the origin.Then, OA  r1 , OP  r and m  aiˆ  bjˆ  ckˆ.

AP   m  AP m 
OP  OA   m

OP  OA   m

 r  r1   m 

Parametric Equations
r  r1   m


xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  x1iˆ  y1 ˆj  z1kˆ   aiˆ  bjˆ  ckˆ 
  x1   a  iˆ   y1  b  ˆj   z1  c  kˆ
x  x1   a , y  y1  b , z  z1  c 

Cartesian equations
x  x1   a , y  y1  b , z  z1  c
x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
 ,  , 
a b c
x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
   
a b c

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Equation of a line passing through two given points
Vector Equation
The vector equation of a straight line passing through two points with position vectors

r1 and r2 is given by r  r1   r2  r1 .  
Let O be the origin.Then, OA  r1 , OB  r2 and OP  r.

AP   AB  A, B, P arecollinear 


OP  OA   OB  OA 

r  r1   r2  r1 

 r  r1   r2  r1  
Parametric Equations


r  r1   r2  r1 
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  x1iˆ  y1 ˆj  z1kˆ    x iˆ  y ˆj  z kˆ    x iˆ  y ˆj  z kˆ 
2 2 2 1 1 1

 x1iˆ  y1 ˆj  z1kˆ    x2  x1  iˆ    y2  y1  ˆj    z2  z1  kˆ

  x1    x2  x1   iˆ   y1    y2  y1   ˆj   z1    z2  z1   kˆ

 x  x1    x2  x1  , y  y1    y2  y1  , z  z1    z2  z1  

Cartesian equations
x  x1    x2  x1  , y  y1    y2  y1  , z  z1    z2  z1 

x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
 ,  , 
x2  x1 y2  y1 z2  z1

x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
   
x2  x1 y2  y1 z2  z1

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Example (23)
Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line
through 1, 2,3 in the direction 4iˆ  5 ˆj  6kˆ .

Solution

Let position vector of given point  r1  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , m  4iˆ  5 ˆj  6kˆ

The vector equation of the line is

r  r1   m   is a scalar 
  
 iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ   4iˆ  5 ˆj  6kˆ 
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ   4iˆ  5 ˆj  6kˆ 
 1  4  iˆ   2  5  ˆj   3  6  kˆ

The parametricequations of thelineare

x  1  4 , y  2  5 , z  3  6 . 

x 1 y2 z 3
 ,  , 
4 5 6
x 1 y  2 z  3
   
4 5 6
The Cartesian equations of the line are

x 1 y  2 z  3
  . 
4 5 6

Example (24)
Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line
which is parallel to the vector 2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ and which passes through the point (5, 2, 4) .

Solution

Let position vector of given point  r1  5iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ , m  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

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The vector equation of the line is

r  r1   m   is a scalar 
  
 5iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  5iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ 
  5  2  iˆ   2    ˆj   4  3  kˆ

The parametricequations of thelineare

x  5  2 , y  2   , z  4  3 . 

x 5 y2 z4
 ,  , 
2 1 3
x 5 y  2 z 4
   
2 1 3
The Cartesian equations of the line are

x 5 y  2 z 4
  . 
2 1 3

Example (25)
Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line
passing through the points A  2, 3, 4  and B  1, 2,1 .

Solution
A  2, 3, 4  , B  1, 2,1

Let OA  r1  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ , OB  r2  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

  
r2  r1  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ 
 3iˆ  5 ˆj  3kˆ
The vector equation of theline AB is


r  r1   r2  r1    is a scalar 
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  
 2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ   3iˆ  5 ˆj  3kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ   3iˆ  5 ˆj  3kˆ 
  2  3  iˆ   3  5  ˆj   4  3  kˆ

The parametricequations of theline AB are

x  2  3 , y  3  5 , z  4  3 . 

x2 y3 z4

 ,  , 
3 5 3
x2 y 3 z 4
   
3 5 3
TheCartesian equations of theline AB are

x2 y3 z 4
  . 
3 5 3

Example (26)
Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line

passing through the point A  3, 2,1 and parallel to the line joining the points B  2, 4, 2 

and C  2,3,3 .

Solution
A  3, 2,1 , B  2, 4, 2  , C  2,3,3

OB  2iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ , OC  2iˆ  3 ˆj  3kˆ

BC  OC  OB

  
 2iˆ  3 ˆj  3kˆ  2iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ 
 4iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

Let OA  r1  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

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The vector equation of theline is

r  r1   BC   is a scalar 
  
 3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   4iˆ  ˆj  kˆ  

Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   4iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
  3  4  iˆ   2    ˆj  1    kˆ

The parametricequations of theline are

x  3  4 , y  2   , z  1   . 

x 3 y2 z 1
 ,  , 
4 1 1
x  3 y  2 z 1
   
4 1 1
TheCartesian equations of theline are

x  3 y  2 z 1
  . 
4 1 1

Exercise (5)

1. Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line
through 1,3, 7  in the direction 2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ .

2. Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line
through  3,1, 2  in the direction iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ .

3. Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line
which is parallel to the vector iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ and which passes through the point (5, 2, 1) .

4. Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line
which is parallel to the vector 2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ and which passes through the point (4, 2, 1) .

5. Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line
passing through the points A 1, 2,1 and B  1,3, 2  .
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6. Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line

passing through the points A  5,1,3 and B  3, 2, 1 .

7. Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line

passing through the point A 1, 2,3 and parallel to the line joining the points B  0,1, 1

and C  5, 1,3 .

8. Find the vector equation , the parametric equations and the Cartesian equations of the line

passing through the point A  3, 2,1 and parallel to the line joining the points B 1, 2,5 

and C  3, 1,1 .

Solution

1. Let position vector of given point  r1  iˆ  3 ˆj  7kˆ , m  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

The vector equation of the line is

r  r1   m   is a scalar 
  
 iˆ  3 ˆj  7 kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ 
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  iˆ  3 ˆj  7kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ 
 1  2  iˆ   3    ˆj   7  3  kˆ

The parametricequations of thelineare

x  1  2 , y  3   , z  7  3 . 

x 1 y 3 z7
 ,  , 
2 1 3
x 1 y  3 z  7
   
2 1 3
The Cartesian equations of the line are

x 1 y  3 z  7
  . 
2 1 3

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2. Let position vector of given point  r1  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , m  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

The vector equation of the line is

r  r1   m   is a scalar 
  
 3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ   iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ   iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ 
  3    iˆ  1    ˆj   2  2  kˆ

The parametricequations of thelineare

x  3   , y  1   , z  2  2 . 

x 3 y 1 z2
 ,  , 
1 1 2
x  3 y 1 z  2
   
1 1 2
The Cartesian equations of the line are

x  3 y 1 z  2
  . 
1 1 2

3. Let position vector of given point  r1  5iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , m  iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ

The vector equation of the line is

r  r1   m   is a scalar 
  
 5iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  5iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ 
  5    iˆ   2  2  ˆj   1  6  kˆ

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The parametricequations of thelineare

x  5   , y  2  2 , z  1  6 . 

x 5 y2 z 1
 ,  , 
1 2 6
x  5 y  2 z 1
   
1 2 6
The Cartesian equations of the line are

x  5 y  2 z 1
  . 
1 2 6

4. Let position vector of given point  r1  4iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , m  2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

The vector equation of the line is

r  r1   m   is a scalar 
  
 4iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  4iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ 
  4  2  iˆ   2    ˆj   1  3  kˆ

The parametricequations of thelineare

x  4  2 , y  2   , z  1  3 . 

x4 y2 z 1
 ,  , 
2 1 3
x  4 y  2 z 1
   
2 1 3
The Cartesian equations of the line are

x  4 y  2 z 1
  . 
2 1 3

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5. A 1, 2,1 , B  1,3, 2 

Let OA  r1  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ , OB  r2  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ

  
r2  r1  iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ 
 2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ
The vector equation of theline AB is


r  r1   r2  r1    is a scalar 

  
 iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
 1  2  iˆ   2    ˆj  1    kˆ

The parametricequations of theline AB are

x  1  2 , y  2   , z  1   . 

x 1 y2 z 1
 ,  , 
2 1 1
x 1 y  2 z 1
   
2 1 1
TheCartesian equations of theline AB are

x 1 y  2 z 1
  . 
2 1 1

6. A  5,1,3 , B  3, 2, 1

Let OA  r1  5iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ , OB  r2  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

  
r2  r1  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ  5iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ 
 2iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ
The vector equation of the line AB is


r  r1   r2  r1    is a scalar 
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  
 5iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  5iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ   2iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ 
  5  2  iˆ  1    ˆj   3  4  kˆ

The parametricequations of theline AB are

x  5  2 , y  1   , z  3  4 . 

x 5 y 1 z 3
 ,  , 
2 1 4
x  5 y 1 z  3
   
2 1 4
TheCartesian equations of theline AB are

x  5 y 1 z  3
  . 
2 1 4

7. A 1, 2,3 , B  0,1, 1 , C  5, 1,3

OB  ˆj  kˆ , OC  5iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ

BC  OC  OB

  
 5iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
 5iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ

Let OA  r1  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ

The vector equation of theline is

r  r1   BC   is a scalar 
  
 iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ   5iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ   5iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ 
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 1  5  iˆ   2  2  ˆj   3  4  kˆ

The parametricequations of theline are

x  1  5 , y  2  2 , z  3  4 . 

x 1 y2 z 3
 ,  , 
5 2 4
x 1 y  2 z  3
   
5 2 4
TheCartesian equations of theline are

x 1 y  2 z  3
  . 
5 2 4

8. A  3, 2,1 , B 1, 2,5 , C  3, 1,1

OB  iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ , OC  3iˆ  ˆj  kˆ

BC  OC  OB

  
 3iˆ  ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ 
 2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ

Let OA  r1  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ

The vector equation of theline is

r  r1   BC   is a scalar 
  
 3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ  
Taking r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ .

  
xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ   2iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ 
  3  2  iˆ   2  3  ˆj  1  4  kˆ

The parametricequations of theline are

x  3  2 , y  2  3 , z  1  4 . 
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x3 y2 z 1
 ,  , 
2 3 4
x  3 y  2 z 1
   
2 3 4
The Cartesian equations of the line are

x  3 y  2 z 1
  . 
2 3 4

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