Vectors

Vectors
Summary

1. Vectors & Their Representation:

Vector quantities are specified by definite magnitude and definite directions. A vector is

generally represented by a directed line segment, say AB . is called the Initial point & B is called
 
the terminal point. The magnitude of vector AB is expressed by AB .
Zero Vector : A vector of zero magnitude is a zero vector.

Unit Vector : A vector of unit magnitude in the direction of a vector a is called unit vector

  a
along a and is denoted by a symbolically aˆ =  .
a
Equal Vectors: Two vectors are said to be equal if they have the same magnitude, direction &
represent the same physical chemistry.

Collinear Vectors: Two vectors are said to be collinear if their directed line segments are
   
Parallel irrespective of their directions. If a and b are collinear, then a = kb , where k ∈ R, k ≠ 0
  a1 a2 a3
Vectors a = a1iˆ + a2 ˆj + a3 kˆ and b =b1iˆ + b2 ˆj + b3 kˆ are collinear if = =
b1 b2 b3
Coplanar Vectors:
A given number of vectors are called coplanar if their line segments are all parallel to the same
plane. Note that ‘’Two VECTORS ARE ALWAYS COPLANAR’’

2. Angle Between two Vectors

It is the smaller angle formed when the initial points or the terminal points of the two vectors are
brought together. It should be noted that 00 ≤ θ ≤ 1800

3. Addition Of Vectors:

     
• If two vectors a & b are represented by OA & OB then their sum a + b is a vector

represented by OC , where OC is the diagonal of the parallelogram OACB
         
• a + b =b + a ( commutatuve ) ( ) ( )
• a + b + c =a + b + c ( associativity )
         
• a +0 = a = 0+a • a + ( −a ) = 0 = ( −a ) + a
       
• a +b ≤ a + b • a −b ≥ a − b
  2 2  
• a ± b= a + b ± 2 a b cos θ where θ is the angle between the vectors

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• A vector in the direction of the bisector of the angle between the two vectors
 
  a b  
a & b is  +  . Hence bisector of the angle between the two vectors a and b
a b

( )
λ â + bˆ , where λ ∈ R + Bisector of the exterior angle between


( )
a & b is λ aˆ − bˆ , λ ∈ R +

4. Multiplication Of A Vector By A Scalar:

  
If a is a vector & m is a scalar, then m a is a vector parallel to a whose modulus is m times
  
that of a This multiplication is called SCALAR MULTIPLICATION: If a and b are vectors
& m, n are scalars then :
     
m=( a ) (= a ) m ma m=( na ) n (=
ma ) ( mn ) a
     
( m + n ) a = ma + na ( )
m a + b = ma + mb

5. Position Vector of A Point:

  
Let O be a fixed origin, then the position of a vector OP . If a and b are position vectors of two
  
points A and B, then, AB = b − a = pv of B − pv of A.
   
()
DISTANCE FORMULA: Distance between the two points A a and B a is AB= | a − b | ()
   
 na + mb a+b
SECTION FORMULA: r = . Mid point of AB AB =
m+n 2
     
6. Scalar Product of Two Vectors: a . b =| a | | b | cos θ , where | a |,| b | are magnitude of
   
a and b respectively and θ is angle between a and b .

  a.b
(i ) =
i.i j=. j k=.k 1; i.=j j.= k k= .i 0 project of a on b = 
|b |
  
(ii ) a =a1i + a2 j + a3 k & b =b1i + b2 j + b3 k then a.b = a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3
 
| a | a12 + a22 + a32 , | b | b12 + b22 + b32

  a.b
(iii) the angle φ between a and b is given by=
cos φ   , 0 ≤φ ≤π
|a| |b|

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   
(iv) a.b | a | b | cos θ ( 0 ≤ θ ≤ π ) , note that if θ is acute, then a.b > 0 & if θ is obtuse, then
=
 
a .b <0
   2 2         
(v) a . = (
, a .b b .a (commutative) a . b + c = a.b + a.c (distributive)
a | a | a= )
    
(vi) a.b = 0 ⇔ a ⊥ b ( a ≠ 0 b ≠ 0)
     
( )
(vii) m=
a . b â=
. mb ( ) ( a. b ) (associative) where m is scalar.

Note:
  
(a) Maximum value a .b is | a | | b |
  
(b) Minimum value of a .b is − | a | | b |
    
( ) ( ) ( )
(c) Any vector a can be written as,a = a. ˆj i + a. j j + a.k k .
7. Vector Product of Two Vectors:
      
(i) If a & b are two vectors & θ is the angle between them a × b = | a || b | sin θ n , where
       
n is the unit vector perpendicular to both a & b such that a , b such that a , b & n
forms a right handed screw system.
 
(ii) Geometrically a × b =area of the parallelogram whose two adjacent sides are
 
represented by a & b


(iii) iˆ × iˆ = ˆj × ˆj = kˆ × kˆ = 0; iˆ × ˆj = kˆ, ˆj × kˆ, ˆj × kˆ = iˆ, kˆ × iˆ = ˆj

 iˆ ˆj kˆ 
     
(iv) If a = a1iˆ + a2 ˆj + a3 kˆ & b = b1iˆ + b2 ˆj + b3 kˆ then a × b =  a1 a2 a3 
b b2 b3 
 1

   
(v) a × b ≠ b × a ( not commutative )

     
( ) ( )
(vi) ( ma ) × b = a × mb = m a × b ( associtative ) where m is a scalar.

      
( ) ( )
(vii) a × b + c = a × b + ( a × c )( distributive )

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        
( )
(viii) a × b = 0 ⇔ a and b are parallel (collinear) a ≠ 0, b ≠ 0 i.e. a =
Kb , where K is a
scalar

 
  a ×b
(ix) Unit vector perpendicular to the plane of a × b is nˆ =
±  
a ×b

 
  a ×b
• If θ is the angle between a × b then sin θ =  
a b

  
• If a , b & c are the pv's of 3 points A, B & C then the vector area of triangle ABC
=
1             
 a × b + b × c + c × a  .The points A, s & care collinear if a × b + b × c + c × a =0
2 

 
• Area of any quadrilateral whose diagonal vectors are d1 & d 2 is given by
1  
d1 × d 2
2
• Lagrange's identity for any two vectors
 
    2 2 2   2 a.a a.b
( ) ( )
a & b ; a × b = a b − a.b =    
a.b b .b
8. Scalar Triple Product:

    
• The scalar triple product of three vectors a , b & c is defined as : a × b .c =
    
a b c sin θ cos φ where θ is the angle between a & b & φ is the angle between
    
a × b & c . It is also written as  abc  and spelled as box product
• Scalar triple product geometrically represents the volume
of the parallelopiped whose three coterminous edges are
    
represented by a , b & c i.e. V =  abc 
• In a scalar triple product the position of dot & cross can be interchanged i.e .
          
( ) ( )
a. b × c = a × b .c OR = abc  =bca  cab 
         
(
• a.. b × c = ) ( )
−a c × b i.e  abc  = −  acb 

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a1 a2 a3
    
• If a =a1i + a2 j + a3 k ; b =b1i + b2 j + b3 k & c =c1i + c2 j + c3 k then  abc  = b1 b2 b3
c1 c3 c3
           
In general, If a =a1i + a2 m + a3 n; b =b1i + b2 m + b3 n & c =c1i + c2 m + c3 n
a1 a2 a3
      
then  abc  = b1 b2 b3 lmn  ; where l , m & n are non coplanar vectors
 
c1 c3 c3

    
• If a , b , c are coplanar ⇔ K  abc  = 0
          
• [i j k ] •  Kabc = K  abc  ( )
•  a + b cd =  acd  + bcd 
 
• The positon vector of the centroid of a tetrahedron if the pv's of its vertices are
    1    
a , b , c & d are given by  a + b + c + d 
4

              
9. Vector Triple Product : a × b ×= (
c ) ( ) (
( a.c ) b − a.b c , a × b ×=
c ) ( a.c ) b − ( b − c ) a
     
• ( ) ( )
a × b × c ≠ a × b × c , in general

10. Reciprocal System Of Vectors:

        
If a , b , c & a , b , c are two sets of non coplanar vectors such that a=.a ' b=.b ' c=.c ' 1 then the
     
 b ×c  c ×a  a ×b
two systems are called Reciprocal system of vectors, where = a'   , b '
= =   , c  
 abc   abc   abc 
     

11. Linear Combinations:

      
Given a finite set of vectors a , b , c ,............. then the vector r = xa + yb + zc + ......... is called a
  
linear combination of a , b , c ,.............. for any x, y, z…….. ∈ R. We have the following results:
 
(i) If a , b are non zero, non-collinear vectors then
   
xa + yb= x ' a + y ′b ⇒ x= x '; y= y '

 
(ii) Fundamental Theorem: Let a , b be non zero, non collinear vectors. Then any
  
vector r coplanar with a , b can be expressed uniquely as a linear combination of
 
a, b

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  
i.e. There exist some uniquely x, y ∈ R such that xa + yb =
r

  
(iii) If a , b , c are non-zero, non-coplanar vectors then:
     
xa + yb + zc= x ' a + y ' b + z ' c ⇒ x= x ', y= y ', z= z '

  
(iv) Fundamental Theorem In Space: Let a , b , c be non-zero, non-coplanar vector in

space. Then any vector r , can be uniquely expressed as a linear combination of
      
a , b , c i.e. There exist some unique x, y ∈ R such that xa + yb + zc = r
  
(v) If x1 , x2 ,..........xn are non zero vectors, & k1,k2…………kn are n scalars & if the linear
  
combination k1 x1 + k2 x2 + .......kn xn =0 ⇒ k1 =0, k2 =0.........kn =0 then we say that
  
vectors x1 , x2 ,................xn ar LINEARLY INDEPENDENT VECTORS .
  
(vi) If x1 , x2 ,....................xn are not LINEARLY INDEPENDENT then they are said to be
LINEARLY DEPENDENT VECTORS.
  
i.e,. If k1 x1 , k2 x2 ,....................kxn = 0 & if there exists at least one kr ≠ 0 then
  
x1 , x2 ,...........xn are said to LINEARLY DEPENDENT

    
Note 1: If k1 x1 + k2 x2 + k3 x3 + ............
= kn xn 0, for some k r ≠ 0, then
  
x1 x2 , x3 ,........, xn form a linearly dependent set of vectors
  
• i , j , k are Linearly Independent set of vectors. For
K1iˆ + K 2 ˆj + k3 kˆ =0 ⇒ K1 =K 2 =K 3 =0
     
• Two vectors a & b are linearly dependent ⇒ a is parallel to b i.e. a × b = 0 ⇒
      
linear dependence of a & b .Conversely if a × b = 0 then a and b are linearly
dependent.
     
• If three vectors a , b , c are linearly dependent, then they are coplanar i.e.  a , b , c 
  
=0, conversely if  a , b , c  ≠ 0, then the vectors are linearly independent.

Note: Test of Collinearity :

  
Three points A,B,C with position vectors a , b , c respectively are collinear, if & only if
  
0 , where x + y + z
there exist scalars x ' y ' z not all zero simultaneously such that xa + yb + zc =
=0

Note: Test of Coplanarity:

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   
Four points A, B, C, D with position vectors a , b , c , d respectively are coplanar if and
   
only if there exist scalars x, y, z, w not all zero simultaneously such ,that xa + yb + zc + wd = 0
where x+ y + z + w = 0.

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Practice Questions
   
1. Let u be a vector coplanar with the vectors a = 2iˆ + 3 j − k and b= j + k . If u is
 
perpendicular to a and u.b = 24 . than equal to: (2018)
(a) 84
(b) 336
(c) 315
(d) 256
       
2. If a, b and c are unit vector such that a + 2b + 2c =
0 , then a × c is equal to: (2018)
15
(a)
4
15
(b)
16
1
(c)
4
15
(d)
4
       
3. If a, b and c are unit vectors such that a + 2b + 2c =
0 , then a × c is equal to: (2018)
1
(a)
4
15
(b)
16
15
(c)
4
15
(d)
16
       
4. Let a = iˆ + ˆj + kˆ, c = ˆj − kˆ and a vector b be such that a × b =c and a.b = 3 . Then b equals:
(2018)
11
(a)
3
11
(b)
3
11
(c)
3
11
(d)
3

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5. Let O be the origin and let PQR be an arbitrary triangle. The point S is such that
OP.OQ + OR.OS = OR.OP + OQ.OS
= OQ.OR + OP.OS
Then the triangle PQR has S as its (2017)
(a) centroid
(b) orthocenter
(c) incenter
(d) circumcenter

    
6. Let a = iˆ + ˆj + kˆ, b = iˆ − ˆj + kˆ and c = iˆ − ˆj − kˆ be three vectors. A vector v in the plane of a
  1
and b , whose projection on c is is given by (2011)
3
(a) iˆ − 3 ˆj + 3kˆ
(b) −3iˆ − 3 ˆj + kˆ
(c) 3iˆ − ˆj + 3kˆ
(d) iˆ + 3 ˆj − 3kˆ


7. Two adjacent sides of a parallelogram ABCD are given by AB =2iˆ + 10 ˆj + 11kˆ and

AD =−iˆ + 2 ˆj + 2kˆ . The side AD is rotated by an acute angle 𝛼𝛼 in the plane of the parallelogram
so that AD becomes AD ' . If AD ' makes a right angle with the side AB, then the cosine of the
angle 𝛼𝛼 is given by (2010)
8
(a)
9
17
(b)
9
1
(c)
9
4 5
(d)
9
8. Let P, Q, R and S be the points on the plane with position vectors −2iˆ − ˆj , 4iˆ,3iˆ + 3 ˆj and
−3iˆ + 2 ˆj , respectively. The quadrilateral PQRS must be a (2010)

(a) parallelogram, which is neither a rhombus nor a rectangle

(b) square
(c) rectangle, but not a square
(d) rhombus, but not a square

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9. Let two non-collinear unit vectors â and b̂ form and acute angle. A point P moves, so that at

any time t the position vector OP (where O is the origin) is given by â cos t + b̂ sin t. When P
 
is farthest from origin O, let M be the length of OP and û be the unit vector along OP . Then,
(2008)

aˆ + bˆ
(1 + aˆ.bˆ )
1/2
(a) uˆ= and M=
aˆ + bˆ

aˆ − bˆ
( )
1/2
(b) uˆ= and M= 1 + aˆ.bˆ
aˆ − bˆ

aˆ + bˆ
(1 + 2aˆ.bˆ )
1/2
(c) uˆ= and M=
aˆ + bˆ

aˆ − bˆ
(1 + 2aˆ.bˆ )
1/2
(d) uˆ= and M=
aˆ − bˆ

    
10. Let a = iˆ + 2 ˆj + kˆ, b = iˆ − ˆj + kˆ, c = iˆ + ˆj − kˆ . A vector coplanar to a and b has a projection
 1
along c of magnitude , then the vector is (2006)
3

(a) 4iˆ − ˆj + 4kˆ

(b) 4iˆ + ˆj − 4kˆ
(c) 2iˆ + ˆj + kˆ
(d) None of these

  
11. If a, b, c are three non-zero, non-coplanar vectors and
      
  b.a    b.a    c.a  c.b    c.a  c.b 
b1 = b −  2 a, b2 = b +  2 a, c1 =
c −  2 a −  2 b, c2 =
c −  2 a −  21 b1 ,
a a a b a b
   
  c.a  c.b    c.a 
c −  2 a −  22 b2 , c4 =
c3 = a−  2 a
a b2 a

Then, which of the following is a set of mutually orthogonal vectors? (2005)

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  
{ }
(a) a, b1 , c1
  
{ }
(b) a, b1 , c2
  
{
(c) a, b2 , a3}
  
{
(d) a, b2 , c4}
     
12. If a and b1 are two unit vectors such that a + 2b and 5a − 4b , are perpendicular to each
 
other, then the angle between a and b is (2002)
(a) 45°
(b) 60°
1
(c) cos −1  
3
2
(d) cos −1  
7

    2  2  2
13. If a, b and c are unit vectors, then a − b + b − c + c − a does not exceed (2001)

(a) 4
(b) 9
(c) 8
(d) 6

        
14. Let u , v and w be vectors such that u + v + w =0 . If= v 4 and w = 5 then
u 3,=
     
u.v + v.w + w.u is (1995)
(a) 47
(b) – 25
(c) 0
(d) 25

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 
15. The number of vectors of unit length perpendicular to vectors a = (1,1, 0 ) and b = ( 0,1,1) is

(1987)
(a) one
(b) two
(c) three
(d) infinite


16. A vector a has components 2p and 1 with respect to a rectangular Cartesian system. This
system is rotated through a certain angle about the origin in the counter clockwise sense. If, with

respect to the new system, a has components p + 1 and 1, then (1986)
(a) p = 0
1
(b) p = 1 or p = −
3
1
−1 or p =
(c) p = −
3
−1 or p =
(d) p = −1

17. The points with position vectors 60iˆ + 3 ˆj , 40iˆ − 8 ˆj , aiˆ − 52 ˆj are collinear, if (1983)

(a) a = - 40
(b) a = 40
(c) a = 20
(d) None of these

18. Let a = 2iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ , b= iˆ + ˆj and c be a vector such that |c – a| = 3, |(a × b × c)| = 3 and the
angle between c and a × b is 30. Then, a . c is equal to (2017)
25
(a)
8
(b) 2
(c) 5
1
(d)
8

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     
( ) ( )
19. If a and b are vectors such that a + b =29 and a × 2iˆ + 3 ˆj + 4kˆ = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj + 4kˆ × b then
 
( )( )
a possible value of a + b . −7iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ is (2012)

(a) 0
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 8

      
20. Let a, b, c be unit vectors such that a + b + c =0 . Which one of the following is correct?

(2007)
      
(a) a × b = b × c = c × a = 0
      
(b) a × b = b × c = c × a ≠ 0
      
(c) b × b = b × c = a × c = 0
    
(d) a × b, b × c, c × a are mutually perpendicular

  
21. If the vectors a, b and c from the sides BC, CA and AB respectively of a ABC, then (2000)
  
(a) a.b + b.c + c.a = 0
     
(b) a × b = b × c = c × a
  
.b b=
(c) a= .c c.a
      
(d) a × b + b × c + c × a =0

         1
( )(
22. If a, b, c and d are the unit vectors such that a × b . c × d = )
1 and a.c = , then
2
(2009)

  
(a) a, b, c are non-coplanar
  
(b) a, b, d are non-coplanar
 
(c) b, d are non-parallel
   
(d) a, d are parallel and b, c are parallel

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 Vectors

23. The edges of a parallelepiped are of unit length and are parallel to non-coplanar unit vector
1
aˆ , bˆ, cˆ such that aˆ=
.bˆ bˆ=
.cˆ cˆ=
.aˆ . Then, the volume of the parallelepiped is (2008)
2
1
(a) cu unit
2
1
(b) cu unit
2 2
3
(c) cu unit
2
1
(d) cu unit
3

24. The number of distinct real values of 𝜆𝜆, for which the vectors −λ 2iˆ + ˆj + kˆ, iˆ − λ 2 ˆj + kˆ and
iˆ + ˆj − λ 2 kˆ are coplanar, is (2007)

(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 2
(d) 3

25. The value of a, so that the volume of parallelepiped formed by iˆ + ajˆ + kˆ, ˆj + akˆ and aiˆ + kˆ
become minimum, is (2003)
(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 2
(d) 3

      
26. If V = 2i + j − k and W = i + 3k is a unit vector, then the maximum value of the scalar triple

product UVW  is (2002)

(a) – 1
(b) 10 + 6
(c) 59
(d) 60

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    
27. If a = iˆ − kˆ, b = xi + ˆj + (1 − x ) kˆ and c = yiˆ + xjˆ + (1 + x − y ) kˆ . Then  a b c  depends on

(2001)
(a) only x
(b) only y
(c) neither x nor y
(d) both x and y

        
28. If a , b and c are unit coplanar vectors, then the scalar triple product  2a − b 2b − c 2c − a  is

(2000)
(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) − 3
(d) 3

  
29. For three vectors u , v, w which of the following expressions is not equal to any of the
remaining three? (1998)
  
(
(a) u. v × w )
  
(
(b) v × w .u )
  
(
(c) v. u × w )
  
(
(d) u × v .w )
 
iˆ α ˆj + β kˆ are linear dependent vectors and
30. If a = iˆ + ˆj + kˆ, b = 4iˆ + 3 ˆj + 4kˆ and c =+

c = 3 , then (1998)

(a) α = 1, β = −1
(b) α = 1, β = ±1
(c) α =
−1, β =
±1
(d) α =
±1, β =
1

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         
(  ) ( ) ( )
31. If a, b and c are three non-coplanar vectors, then a + b + c .  a + b × a + c  equals (1995)

(a) 0

(b) c b c 

(c) 2. c b c 

(d) −  a b c 

        
ˆj kˆ, c =−
iˆ ˆj , b =−
32. Let a =− kˆ iˆ . If d is a unit vector such that a.d= 0= b c d  , then equals

(1995)

iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ
(a) ±
6
iˆ + ˆj − kˆ
(b) ±
3
iˆ + ˆj + kˆ
(c) ±
3
(d) ± k̂

33. Let a, b, c be distinct non-negative numbers. If the vectors aiˆ + ajˆ + ck , iˆ + kˆ and ciˆ + cjˆ + bkˆ
lie in a plane, then c is (1993)
(a) the arithmetic mean of a and b
(b) the geometric mean of a and b
(c) the harmonic mean of a and b
(d) equal to zero

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  
34. Let a = a1iˆ + a2 ˆj + a3 kˆ, a =b1iˆ + b2 ˆj + b3 kˆ and a =c1iˆ + c2 ˆj + c3 kˆ be three non-zero vectors
   
such that c is a unit vector perpendicular to both the vectors c and b . If the angle between a
2
a1 a2 a3
 π
and b is , then b1 b2 b3 is equal to (1986)
6
c1 c2 c3

(a) 0
(b) 1
1 2
(c)
4
( )(
a1 + a22 + a32 b12 + b22 + b32 )
3 2
(d)
4
( )( )(
a1 + a22 + a32 b12 + b22 + b32 c12 + c22 + c32 )

35. The volume of the parallelepiped whose sides are given by

  
OA = 2iˆ − 3 ˆj , OB = iˆ + ˆj − kˆ, OC = 3iˆ − kˆ , is (1983)

4
(a)
13
(b) 4
2
(c)
7
(d) None of these

        
(
36. For non-zero vectors a, b, c , a × b .c = )
| a || b | c | holds, if and only if (1982)
 
a. b
(a) = 0,=b.c 0
 
(b)=b. c 0,=c.a 0
 
(c)=c. a 0,=a.b 0
   
(d) a.=b b=.c c =
.a 0

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     
( ) ( )
37. The scalar A.  B + C × A + B + C  equals
 
(1981)

(a) 0
     
(b)  A B C  +  B C A
  
(c)  A B C 
(d) none of these

3 ˆ
( )
38. Let aˆ , bˆ and ĉ be three unit vectors such that aˆ × bˆ × =
cˆ
2
( )
b + cˆ . If b̂ is not parallel to

ĉ , then the angle between â and b̂ is

(2016)
3π
(a)
4
π
(b)
2
2π
(c)
3
5π
(d)
6

  
39. Let a, b and c be three non-zero vectors such that no two of them are collinear and
   1     
( )
a × b × c = | b || c | a . If 𝜃𝜃 is the angle between vectors b and c , then a value of sin 𝜃𝜃 is
3

2 2
(a)
3
− 2
(b)
3
2
(c)
3
−2 2
(d)
3

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 Vectors

40. The unit vector which is orthogonal to the vector 3iˆ + 2 ˆj + 6kˆ and is coplanar with the
vectors 2iˆ + ˆj + kˆ and iˆ − ˆj + kˆ is (2004)

2iˆ − 6 ˆj + kˆ
(a)
41
2iˆ − 3 ˆj
(b)
13
3 ˆj − kˆ
(c)
10
4iˆ + 3 ˆj − 3kˆ
(d)
34

    
( )
41. If a = iˆ + ˆj + kˆ , a.b = 1 and a × b = ˆj − kˆ , then b is equal to (2003)

(a) iˆ − ˆj + kˆ
(b) 2 ˆj − kˆ
(c) iˆ
(d) 2iˆ

        
( ) ( )
42. Let the vectors a, b, c and d be such that a × b × c × d = 0 . If P1 and P2 are planes
   
determined by the pairs of vectors a, b and c, d respectively, then the angle between P1 and P2 is

(2000)
(a) 0
π
(b)
4
π
(c)
3
π
(d)
2

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      
43. Let a = 2iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ and b= iˆ + ˆj . If c is a vector such that a.=
c | c |,| c − =
a | 2 2 and the
  
( )
angle between and is 30°, then a × b × c is equal to (1999)

2
(a)
3
3
(b)
2
(c) 2
(d) 3

 
      b+c ( )
(
44. If a, b, c are non-coplanar unit vectors such that a × b × c = )2
, then the angle between
 
a and b is (1995)
3π
(a)
4
π
(b)
4
π
(c)
2
(d) π

    
45. Let a = 2iˆ + ˆj + kˆ , b =iˆ + 2 ˆj − kˆ and a unit vector c be coplanar. If c is perpendicular to a ,

then c is equal to (1999)
1
(a)
2
( − ˆj + kˆ )
1
(b)
3
( −iˆ − ˆj − kˆ )
1
(c)
5
( iˆ − 2 ˆj )
1
(d)
5
(iˆ − ˆj − kˆ )

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   
46. Let p, q, r be three mutually perpendicular vectors of the same magnitude. If a vector x
             
 ( ) (
 )  ( )
satisfies the equation p ×  x − q × p  + q ×  x − r × q  + r ×  x × p × r  =

0 , then x is given by

(1997)
1   
(a)
2
( p + q − 2r )
1   
(b)
2
( p + q + r)
1   
(c)
3
( p + q + r)
1   
(d)
3
(2 p + q − r )

 
47. Two vectors a= 3iˆ + 4 ˆj and b = 5iˆ + 2 ˆj − 15kˆ have the same initial point then their angular
7
bisector having magnitude can be:
3
7
(a)
3 6
( 2iˆ + ˆj − kˆ )
7
(b)
3 3
( iˆ + ˆj − kˆ )

7
(c)
3 3
(iˆ − ˆj + kˆ )
7
(d)
3 3
( iˆ − ˆj − kˆ )

48. One of the diagonals of a parallelopiped is 4 ˆj − 8kˆ . If two diagonals of one of its base are
6iˆ + 6kˆ and 4 ˆj − 2kˆ , then its volume is

(a) 60
(b) 80
(c) 100
(d) 120

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         
(  ) ( ) (
 )
49. If a and b unequal unit vectors such that a − b ×  b + a × 2a + b  =a + b , then smaller
 
angle 𝜃𝜃 between a and b is
π
(a)
2
(b) 0
π
(c)
3
π
(d)
4

 
50. The distance between line r= ( 2iˆ − 2 ˆj + 3kˆ ) + λ (iˆ − ˆj + 4kˆ ) and the plane r.(iˆ + 5 ˆj + kˆ ) =
5
is
10
(a)
9
10
(b)
3 3

10
(c)
3
(d) None of these

     
51. Let a, b and c be three non-zero and non coplaner vectors and p, q and r be three vectors
           
given by p = a + b − 2c, q = 3a − 2b + c and r =a − 4b + 2c . If the volume of parallelopiped
     
determined by a, b and c is V1 and volume of tetrahedron formed by p, q and r is V2 then V2 :
V1 =
(a) 5 : 2
(b) 2 : 5
(c) 5 : 3
(d) None of these

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( )
52. Vectors 4 iˆ + ˆj + kˆ , 7iˆ + 6 ˆj − kˆ and 3iˆ + 2 ˆj − 5kˆ form

(a) Right angled triangle

(b) Equilateral triangle
(c) Isosceles triangle
(d) Scalene triangle

 
53. Number of integer values x for which vector a = xiˆ − 3 ˆj + kˆ and b =xiˆ − 3 xjˆ + 2kˆ contain the
obtuse angle between them.
(a) 1
(b) 0
(c) 3
(d) 4

         π
54. A, B, C are unit vectors, suppose A=. B A=.C 0 and angle between B and C is then find
6
  
k is=A k B×C( )
(a) ±2
(b) ±3
1
(c) ±
3
1
(d) ±
2

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       
55. Let A = 2iˆ + kˆ, B = iˆ + ˆj + kˆ and C = 4iˆ − 3 ˆj + 7 kˆ A vector R satisfying R × B = C × B and
 
R. A = 0 would be

(a) −iˆ − 8 ˆj + 2kˆ

(b) iˆ + 8 ˆj − 2kˆ

(c) 2iˆ + 16 ˆj − 4kˆ

(d) −2iˆ + 16 ˆj + 4kˆ

           
56. If a, b, c are three vectors such that a × b= c, b × c= a, c × a= b then
  
(a) a= b= c
  
(b) =
a 2=
b c
  
(c) a ≠ b ≠ c
  
(d) a= b ≠ c

  
57. Vector a = −4iˆ + 3kˆ , b = 14iˆ + 2 ˆj − 5kˆ . The vector d which is bisecting the angle between
 
the vectors a and b and is having magnitude is 6

(a) iˆ + ˆj + 2kˆ

(b) iˆ − ˆj + 2kˆ

(c) iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ

(d) none

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 
58. If P is any point within a ∆ ABC, then PA + CP =
 
(a) AC + CB
 
(b) BC + BA
 
(c) CB + AB
 
(d) CB + BA

     

59. If ABCDEF is a regular hexagon and AB + AC + AD + AE + AF = λ AD then 𝜆𝜆 =
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 6

       
( )
60. If a = iˆ + ˆj + kˆ, b = iˆ + ˆj , c = iˆ and a × b × c = λ a + µ b then λ + µ

(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 2
(d) 3


      b 
( )
61. If three unit vectors a, b, c are such that a × b × c = then vectors a makes angles with
2
 
b & c respectively
(a) 60°, 90°
(b) 45°, 45°
(c) 30°, 60°
(d) 90°, 60°

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       
62. If p & s are not perpendicular to each other and r × p = q × p & r.s = 0 then r =
 
(a) p.s

  q.s  
(b) q −     p
 p.s 
 
  q. p  
(c) q +     p
 p.s 
 
(d) q + µ p for all scalars µ

     
63. If a, b, c are three non-coplanar & p, q, r are reciprocal vectors, then:
     
( )( )
a + mb + nc . p + mq + nr is equal to:

(a)  2 + m 2 + n 2
(b) m + mn + n
(c) 0
(d) none of these


64. If a is vector whose initial point divides the join of 5iˆ and 5 ˆj in the ratio : 1 and terminal

point is origin and a ≤ 17 , then the set of exhaustive values of 𝜆𝜆, is

 1
(a)  −6, − 
 6

 1
(b)  −∞,  ∪ [ 4,8]
 4

1 
(c)  , 4 
4 

 1 
(d)  − , ∞ 
 6 

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
( ) ( )
65. The vector equation of the plane containing the lines r = iˆ + ˆj + λ iˆ + 2 ˆj − kˆ and

( ) ( )
r = iˆ + ˆj + µ −iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ

(
(a) r. iˆ + ˆj + kˆ =0)

(b) r. ( iˆ − ˆj − kˆ ) =0

( )
(c) r. iˆ + ˆj + kˆ =3

(d) none

 
( ) ( ) ( )
66. Angle between line r = iˆ + 2 ˆj − kˆ + λ iˆ − ˆj + kˆ and the normal of plane r. 2iˆ − ˆj + kˆ =4

2 2
(a) sin −1
3

2 2
(b) cos −1 
 3 
 

2 2
(c) tan −1 
 3 
 

2 2
(d) cot −1
3

 
( )
67. The line of intersection of the planes r. iˆ − 3 ˆj + kˆ = ( )
1 and r. 2iˆ + 5 ˆj − 3kˆ =
2 is parallel to
vector

(a) −4iˆ + 5 ˆj + 11kˆ

(b) 4iˆ + 5 ˆj + 11kˆ

(c) 4iˆ − 5 ˆj + 11kˆ

(d) 4iˆ − 5 ˆj − 11kˆ

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  
( a × b ) + ( a.b )
2 2

68. The value of  2 2 =

2a b
1
(a)
2
3
(b)
2
5
(c)
2
4
(d)
3

      
( ) ( ) ( )
0 and at least one of the number α , β and γ is non-zero,
69. If α a × b + β b × c + γ c × a =
  
then vectors a, b, c are

(a) perpendicular
(b) parallel
(c) coplanar
(d) none

   
a.b × c b.a × c
70. If a, b, c are three non-coplanar vector then    +    =
c × a.b c.a × b
(a) 0
(b) 2
(c) – 2
(d) 4

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 
71. If the non-zero vectors a and b are perpendicular to each other, then solution of the
  
equation r × a = b is
  1  
(a) r =
xa +   a × b
a.a
( )
  1  
(b) r =
xb −   a × b
b.b
( )
  
(c) =
r xa × b
  
(d) =
r xb × a

72. Image of the point ‘P’ with position vector 7iˆ + ˆj + 2kˆ in the line whose vector equation is

r= ( )
−3iˆ − 10kˆ + λ 4iˆ + 3 j + 5kˆ has the position vector

(a) −9iˆ + 5 j + 2kˆ

(b) 9iˆ + 5 j − 2kˆ

(c) 9iˆ − 5 j − 2kˆ

(d) 9iˆ + 5 j + 2kˆ

  
73. Let a, b, c are three non-coplanar vector such that
           
r1 = a − b + c, r2 = b + c − a, r3 = c + a + b
       
r = 2a − 3b + 4c, if r = λ1 r1 + λ2 r2 + λ3 r3 then λ1 + λ2 + λ3 =

(a) 4
(b) 5
(c)3
(d) 2

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     
74. Let a = iˆ + ˆj − kˆ , b = iˆ − ˆj − kˆ and c be a unit vector ⊥ to and coplanar with a and b then c
is
1 ˆ
(a) −
6
(
i − 2 ˆj + kˆ )
1 ˆ
(b)
6
(
i − 2 ˆj + kˆ )
1
(c)
6
(
2iˆ − ˆj + kˆ )

(d) −
( 2iˆ + ˆj + kˆ )
6

75. A new tetrahedron is formed by joining the centroids of the faces of a given tetrahedron. The
ratio of the volume of given tetrahedron to that of new tetrahedron is
(a) 3
(b) 9
(c)27
(d) 81

  
76. A, B and C are three non collinear points with position vectors a, b and c respectively and
    
plane ABC is not passing through origin, then vectors a × b, b × c, c × a are

(a) parallel vectors

(b) non coplanar vector
(c) coplanar vector
(d) linearly dependent vectors

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( ( ( ) ))) is equal to
       
77. If a = 2 and b = 3 and a.b = 0 , then a × a × a × a × b (

(a) 48 b

(b) – 48 b

(c) 48 a

(d) – 48 a

78. A rigid body is spinning about a fixed point (3, -2, -1) with angular velocity of 4 rad/s, the
axis of rotation being in the direction of (1, 2, -2), then the velocity of the particle at the point (4,
1, 1) is
4
(a) (1, −4,10 )
3
4
(b) ( 4, −10,1)
3
4
(c) (10, −4,1)
3
4
(d) (10, 4,1)
3

     
79. Let a, b, c be three unit vectors such that 3a + 4b + 5c =
0 . Then which of the following
statements is true?
 
(a) a is parallel to b
 
(b) a is perpendicular to b
 
(c) a is neither parallel nor perpendicular to b
(d) none of the above

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80. The values of x for which the angle between the vectors 2 x 2iˆ + 4 xjˆ + kˆ and 7iˆ − 2 ˆj + xkˆ are
π
obtuse and the angle between the z-axis and 7iˆ − 2 ˆj + xkˆ is acute and less than is given by
6
1
(a) 0 < x <
2
1
(b) x > or x < 0
2
1
(c) < x < 15
2
(d) there is no such value for x

   
81. Let a, b and c be mutually perpendicular vectors of the same magnitude. If a vector x
            
 ( )  ( )  (
 )
satisfies the equation a ×  x − b × a  + b ×  x − c × b  + c ×  x − a × c  =

0 , then x is given by

1   
(a)
2
(
a+b+c )
1   
(b)
3
(
2a + b + c )
1   
(c)
3
(a+b+c )
1   
(d)
2
(
a + b − 2c )

82. A unit tangent vector at t = 2 on the curve x =t 2 + 2, y =4t − 5, z =2t 2 − 6t is

1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
(a)
3
(
i + j+k )
1 ˆ
(b)
3
(2i + 2 ˆj + kˆ )
1
(c)
6
(
2iˆ + ˆj + kˆ )
(d) none of these

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83. When a right handed rectangular Cartesian system oxyz is rotated about the z-axis through an
π 
angle in the counter-clockwise direction it is found that a vector a has the components
4

2 3,3 2 and 4. The components of α in the oxyz coordinate system are

(a) 5, - 1, 4

(b) 5, - 1, 4 2

(c) – 1, - 5, 4 2
(d) none of these

      
84. Given three vectors a = 6iˆ − 3 ˆj , b =2iˆ − 6 ˆj and c =−2iˆ + 21 ˆj such that α = a + b + c . Then
  
the resolution of the vector α into components with respect to a and b is given by
 
(a) 3a − 2b
 
(b) 2a − 3b
 
(c) 3b − 2a
(d) none of these

     

85. For any four points P, Q, R, S, PQ × RS − QR × PS × RP × QS is equal to 4 times the area of
the triangle
(a) PQR
(b) QRS
(c) PRS
(d) PQS

n    
86. If ∑a
i =1
i = 0 where ai = 1∀i , then the value of ∑
1≤i < j ≤ n
Σ ai .a j is

(a) – n/2
(b) – n

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(c) n/2
(d) n

    2  2  2
87. If a, b, c are unit vectors then a − b + b − c + c − a does not exceed

(a) 4
(b) 9
(c) 8
(d) 6

  
88. Let v = 2iˆ + ˆj − kˆ and w= iˆ + 3kˆ . If u is a unit vector, then maximum value of the scalar
  
triple product u v w is

(a) – 1

(b) 10 + 6

(c) 59

(d) 60

     
89. If a × b =c and b × c =a , then
  
(a) =a 1,= b c
 
(b)=
c 1,=
a 1
  
(c)=
b 2,=
b 2a
  
(d) =
b 1,=
c a

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           
90. Let u and v are unit vectors such that u × v + u =w and w × u =v , then the value of u v w
is
(a) 1
(b) – 1
(c) 0
(d) none of these

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Answers

1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (a) 10. (a) 11. (b) 12. (b)
13. (b) 14. (b) 15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (a) 18. (b) 19. (c) 20. (b) 21. (b) 22. (c) 23. (a) 24. (c)
25. (c) 26. (c) 27. (c) 28. (a) 29. (c) 30. (d) 31. (d) 32. (a) 33. (b) 34. (c) 35. (b) 36. (d)
37. (a) 38. (d) 39. (a) 40. (c) 41. (c) 42. (a) 43. (b) 44. (a) 45. (a) 46. (b) 47. (b) 48. (d)
49. (a) 50. (b) 51. (a) 52. (a) 53. (b) 54. (a) 55. (a) 56. (a) 57. (a) 58. (d) 59. (b) 60. (a)
61. (d) 62. (b) 63. (a) 64. (c) 65. (b) 66. (b) 67. (b) 68. (a) 69. (c) 70. (a) 71. (a) 72. (b)
73. (a) 74. (c) 75. (c) 76. (b) 77. (a) 78. (c) 79. (d) 80. (d) 81. (a) 82. (b) 83. (d) 84. (b)
85. (b) 86. (a) 87. (b) 88. (c) 89. (d) 90. (a)

“Detail solutions are mentioned in the content library”

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