Exam

Subject
Topic

: EAMCET
: Mathematics
: Vector Algebra

SYNOPSIS
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Scalar: The quantity having only magnitude but no direction is called a scalar.
Vector: The quantity having both magnitude and direction is called a vector.
Representation: Vectors are generally represented by directed line segments. If a vector is
represented by AB then the direction from A to B gives its direction and the distance from
A to B gives its magnitude. A is called the initial point and B is called its terminal point.
Notation: Vectors are generally denoted by letters with a bar over it. i.e., a , b , c .(or) by
bold faced letters a, b, c . and its magnitude by II or simply a.
Unit vector: A vector of unit magnitude is called a unit vector. The unit vector in the
direction of a is denoted by a .
Null vector: Vector of zero magnitude and indefinite direction is called a null vector (i.e.,
direction of a null vector is indeterminate). For this vector, initial and terminal points
coincide.
Negative vector: A vector having same magnitude and opposite direction as that of a is
called negative vector of a and is denoted by a .
Equal vectors: Two vectors are said to be equal if they have same magnitude and same
direction (irrespective of their initial points).
Like and unlike vectors: Vectors having the same direction are called like vectors and
having opposite directions are called unlike vectors.
Addition of vectors: Let AB a and BC b be two vectors. The vector AC is defined as
the sum of a and b i.e., AC AB BC a b . This is called the triangle law of vectors.
If a , b , c are three vectors then
i) a ( b c ) ( a b ) c (vector addition is associative).
ii) a b b a (vector addition is commutative).
iii) a 0 0 a a (null vector is the identity element in the set of vectors under
addition)
iv) a ( a ) ( a ) a 0 ( - a is the additive inverse of a in the set of vectors).

10)
11)
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v) In any triangle ABC, AB BC CA 0 .

Position vector: Let O be the origin of vectors and P be a point in space. Then
the position vector of the point P w.r.t. O.

OP

is called

To find the vector AB , subtract the position vector of A from B. i.e., AB OB OA .

Free vector: A vector which is independent of its (initial point) position is called a free
vector.
Localised vector: If a vector is associated with a given point in space, then it is called a
localized vector.

Exam
Subject
Topic

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: EAMCET
: Chemistry
: Vector Algebra

Scalar multiplication of a vector: The product of a vector a by a scalar k is a vector whose

magnitude is |k| times the magnitude of a and whose direction is same as that of a when k
> 0 and opposite to that of a when k < 0.
If k1, k2 are two scalars and a , b are two vectors then
i) (k 1 k 2 ) a k 1a k 2 a
ii) k( a b ) k 1a k 2 b
iii) (k 1k 2 ) a k 1(k 2 a ) k 2 (k 1a )
Collinear vectors: Vectors which lie on a line or which are parallel are called collinear
vectors (whatever be their magnitudes).
Two vectors a and b are collinear if and only if a = m b or a = n a , where m, n are
scalars (real numbers).
Coplanar vectors: Vectors which lie on a plane or which are parallel to a plane are called
coplanar vectors. The vectors a , b , c are coplanar if
i) x a y b zc = 0 and ii) the scalars x, y, z are not all zero.
The position vector of a point which divides the join of two given points in the ratio m : n is
ma nb
, + ve sign is taken for internal division and ve sign is taken for external division.
mn

20)

Position vector of the midpoint of a and b is

ab
.
2

The centroid of a triangle with vertices a , b , c is

abc
3

21)

If G is the centroid of the triangle ABC, then GA GB GC 0 .

22)

The orthocentre of the triangle is

(a sec A )a (b sec B)b (c sec C)c

where a, b, c are the
a sec A b sec B c sec C

lengths of the sides of the triangle and A, B, C are the angles of the triangle.
a sin 2A b sin 2B c sin 2C
.
sec 2A sec 2B sec 2C

23)

The circumcentre of the triangle is

24)

The position vector of the centroid of a tetrahedron ABCD is

25)

are the position vectors of A, B, C, D respectively.

If OA a and OB b be two non zero vectors, then the value of AOB lies between 0 and
is defined as the angle between a and b and is denoted by (a , b ) .

abcd
where a , b , c, d
4

Exam
Subject
Topic

26)

: EAMCET
: Chemistry
: Vector Algebra

If (a , b ) = , then
i) ( a, - b ) (- b , - a) (xa , y b ) (yb , xa ) for all x, y > 0
ii) ( a, - b ) ( - a, b ) (xa , - yb ) (-xa , y b ) 180 for all x, y > 0.
iii) (a , b ) 0 a and b are like vectors.
iv) ( a , b ) a and b are unlike vectors.

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v) ( a, b) / 2 a and b are orthogonal vectors.

The vectors x 1a1 x 2 a2 x 3 a3 .... x n an is called the linear combination of the system of
vectors a1, a2 , a3 ,..... an where x1, x2, x3, xn are scalars.
A system of vectors a1, a2 , a3 ,.....an is said to be linearly dependent if x1a1 x 2 a2 x 3 a3 ....
x n an 0 at least one of the scalars x1, x2, x3, . xn not equal to zero.
A system of vectors a1, a2, a3 ,.....an is said to be linearly independent if x1a1 x 2 a2 x 3 a3 ...
x n an 0 x1 = x2 = .. = xn = 0.
Any two collinear vectors are linearly dependent vectors.
Any set containing the zero vector is linearly dependent.
Any three coplanar vectors are linearly dependent and any three non coplanar vectors are
linearly independent.
If a , b , c be three non-coplanar vectors then any other vector r can be uniquely expressed as
r xa yb zc , where x, y, z are scalar.
Let a , b , c be three non-coplanar vectors. If the angle measured from a to b in the anticlockwise direction is less than 180o by observing from c , then a , b , c are said to form a
right handed system. Otherwise they are said to form a left handed system.
The system of three mutually perpendicular unit vectors forming a right handed system is
called orthonormal triad of unit vectors. These are generally denoted by i , j, k and are taken
along the three rectangular coordinate axes namely xaxis, yaxis, zaxis respectively.
If , , be the angles made by the line OP with X, Y, Z axes respectively, then cos, cos,
cos are called the direction cosines (d.cs) of the line OP. These are generally denoted by
l, m, n.
If l, m, n are the d.cs of a line, then l2 + m2 + n2 = 1.
If l, m, n are the d.cs of a line, then l, m, n are also the d.cs of same line.
The direction cosines of the vector OP are the components of a unit vector parallel to OP i.e.,
OP .
The direction cosines of the vectors i , j, k respectively are (1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 0), (0, 0, 1).
r x i yj zk ,

then

x2 y2 z2

41)

If

42)

For any two vectors a and b

i) | a | | b | | a b | | a | | b |
ii) | a b | | a | | b |

| r |

Exam
Subject
Topic

43)
44)

Vector equation of a straight line passing through the point a and parallel to the vector b is
r a t b , where t is a scalar.
The Cartesian equation of the straight line passing through the point (a1, a2, a3) and parallel
to the vector

45)
46)

b 1i b 2 j b 3 k

is

x a1 y a 2
z a3

b1
b2
b3

Vector equation of a straight line passing through two points having position vectors a and b
is r (1 t )a t b , where t is a scalar.
The Cartesian equation of the straight line passing through the two given points (a 1, a2, a3)
and (b1, b2, b3) is

47)

: EAMCET
: Chemistry
: Vector Algebra

x a1
y a2
z a3

b 1 a1 b 2 a 2
b 3 a3

Vector equation of a plane:

i) The vector equation of the plane through the points
a , b , c is r (1 s t )a s b tc , where s and t are parameters. In Cartesian form, it is
x a1
y a2
b1 a1 b 2 a 2

z a3
b3 a3

c 1 a1 c 2 a 2

c 3 a3

= 0, where

= (a1, a2, a3);

= (b1, b2, b3) and

= (c1, c2, c3)

ii) The vector equation of the plane through the point whose position vector is a and parallel
to the vectors b and c is r a s b tc , where s and t are parameters. In Cartesian form, it is
x a1
b1

y a2
b2

z a3
b3

c1

c2

c3

= 0.

iii) Vector equation of the plane through the points whose position vectors are
x a1

parallel to vector

is

r (1 s)a s b t c

49)

and

z a3

c2

c3

To show that three points A, B, C is collinear.

1st Method: Find the equation of the line passing through two points and show that it is
satisfied by the third point.
2nd Method: Show that there exist scalars not all zero such that xa y b zc 0 and
x + y + z = 0.
3rd Method: Find AB, AC and express any one of them as a scalar multiple of other.
If the vectors a a1i a 2 j a 3 k , b b1i b 2 j b 3 k and c c 1i c 2 j c 3 k are linearly dependent then
a1 a 2
b1 b 2

a3
b3

c1 c 2

c3

= 0.
a1 a 2

50)

where s and t are parameters b1 a1 b2 a2 b3 a3 0

c1

48)

y a2

a3

If the above three vectors are linearly independent then b1

b2

b3 0 .

c1

c2

c3

Exam
Subject
Topic

51)

: EAMCET
: Chemistry
: Vector Algebra

Bisector of an angle: Let

OA a, OB b be
a
b

| a | | b |
is a b
| a | | b |

the two vectors. Then

i) Internal bisector of AOB is

ii) external bisector of AOB
52)

where is any real.

Let A, B, C be the P.Vs of the vertices of a ABC. Then the internal bisector of the angle A
divides the opposite side in the ratio AB : AC and its P.V is

53)

54)

| AB | C | AC | B
| AB | | AC |

(similarly other

bisectors).
Let OA a and OB b be two vectors, then the point c m a n b lies
i) Inside the OAB if m, n > 0 and m + n < 1.
ii) Outside the OAB but inside the angle AOB if m, n > 0 and m + n > 1.
iii) Outside the OAB but inside the angle OAB if m < 0, n > 0 and m + n < 1.
iv) Outside the OAB but inside the angle OBA if m > 0, n < 0 and m + n < 1.
PRODUCT OF VECTORS:
The scalar product or (dot product): The scalar product of two vectors a and b is a scalar
and is defined as the product of the magnitude of a and b and the cosine of the angle
between them. i.e., a. b | a | . | b | .cos , 0 .

55)

Two non-zero vectors a and b are perpendicular if and only if their dot product is zero.

56)

Projection of

57)

a and b

is

| a .b |
(a. b) b
or ( a .b)b .
the orthogonal projection of a and b is
2
|b|
|b|

(a .b ) b

The component vector of

a along b is

The component vector of

a perpendicular to b

|b|

or ( a .b)b .

is a ( a . b )2b .
|b|

Note: The component vector of a along b is equal to the orthogonal projection of a on b .

If a a1i a2 j a3 k , b b1i b 2 j b 3 k , then
i) a . b a1b1 a 2b 2 a 3 b 3
ii) If is the angle between a and b , then

cos =

a b a 2b 2 a3b 3
a.b
1 1
| a || b |
a12 .
b12

iii) sin = (a 2 b 3 a 3 b 2 )

a b
2
1

iv)
v)
vi)

a .b b. a

2
1

(dot product is commutative)

a .(-b ) ( a ).b -(a . b )

a .b ( a . b ) a . b

Exam
Subject
Topic

58)

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63)

: EAMCET
: Chemistry
: Vector Algebra

vii) a . a | a | 2 a 2
viii) (a b) 2 | a |2 | b |2 2a. b
ix) (a b) 2 ( a b ) 2 2( a 2 b 2 ) and (a b )2 ( a b )2 4a.b
x)
( a b c )2 a 2 b 2 c 2 2( a.b ) 2( b.c ) 2(c.a )
xi) a 2 b 2 ( a b ).( a b )
xii) a.( b c ) a.b a.c , dot product is left distributive over vector addition.
xiii) ( a b ).c a.c b.c , dot product is right distributive over vector addition.
For the unit orthognormal vectors i, j, k
i) i.i j. j k . k 1
ii) i. j j.k k . i 0
For any vector r, r (r.i )i (r. j) j (r.k )k
Work done by a force F in displacing a particle from A to B is given by W F.AB
If the length of the perpendicular from the origin be p(> 0) and n be the unit vector
perpendicular to the plane then the equation of the plane is r.n p .
The vector equation of a plane through a point a and perpendicular to a unit vector n is
(r a ).n 0 .
If 1 and 2 be two planes whose equations are r1.m1 q1, r2 .m2 q 2 , then the angle between
the planes is

m1.m 2
Cos 1
| m1 | . | m 2

.
|

64)

Perpendicular distance from the origin to the plane (r a ).n 0 is a .n , where a is the position
vector of a point in the plane and n is the unit vector perpendicular to the plane.

65)

The cross product of two vectors

a and b

is a vector and is defined as | a | . | b | sin.n , where

n is the unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing a and b such that a , b , n form a

67)

right handed system.

Let F be a force directed along a line. Let O be a point (origin). Let OP r be the position
vector of any point P on the line of action of F . Then r xF gives the moment of the force F
about the point O.
a xb O either a O (or) b O (or) a is parallel to b .

68)

If

66)

a a1i a 2 j a 3 k , b b 1i b 2 j b 3 k ,

then

i
j
a x b a1 a 2

k
a3

b1 b 2

b3

69)
70)

If a x b b x a but a x b - b x a (i.e., cross product is anti-commutative)

If i , j, k is a orthonormal triad of unit vectors forming a right handed system then
j x k - k xj i ; k x i - i xk j and i x i jxj k xk 0 .

71)

Unit vector perpendicular to the both the vectors a and b is

a xb
| a xb |

i xj -jx i ;

Exam
Subject
Topic

: EAMCET
: Chemistry
: Vector Algebra

72)

If

are the adjacent sides of a parallelogram then vector area of the parallelogram is
a xb and area = | a x b | sq. units.

73)

If a and b are two adjacent sides of a triangle then area of the triangle is

74)

If

75)
76)

units.
The points a , b , c are collinear if a x b b xc c xa 0 .
If a , b , c are the position vectors of the points A, B, C then the perpendicular distance from

a and b

a, b , c

are the vertices of a triangle then the area of the triangle

C to the straight line AB is

77)
78)

79)
80)
81)
82)

83)
84)
85)

| b xc cx a ax b |
|ba|

or

| ACx AB |

1
| axb | sq. units.
2
is 1 | bxc cxa axb | sq.
2

| AB |

If l1, m1, n1 and l2, m2, n2 are the direction ratios of a straight line then cos=

(l1l 2 m 1m 2 n1n 2 )
l12 l 22

For every vector

i) a x a 0
ii) | axb || b xa |
iii) ax(b c) axb axc cross product is left distributive over vector addition
iv) ( a b )x c a xc b xc cross product is right distributive over vector addition
For any two vectors a and b , (a x b )2 ( a.b )2 | a |2 | b |2
For any vector a , (a x i) 2 ( a xj) 2 ( a xk ) 2 2 | a |2
a . b xc or a xb . c is called the scalar product of three vectors and is written as [ a b c] .
i) In scalar triple product dot and cross are interchangeable i.e., a . b xc a x b .c
ii) If any two vectors are parallel or equal in scalar triple product its value becomes zero. i.e.,
[ a b b ] [ a a b ] [ a c c] 0 .
iii) The value of scalar triple product remains unaltered unless the cyclic order is not
changed. i.e.,
(a) [ a b c] [ b c a] [c a b] ,
(b) [a c b ] [ b a c] [c b a ] -[a b c]
iv) [a b b c c a] 2[a b c]
v) [ a x b b xc c x a ] [ a b c ] 2
For unit orthonormal vectors i, j, k
i) [ i j k ] [j k i ] [k i j] 1
ii) [ j i k ] [ i k j] [ k j i] 1
Necessary and sufficient condition for the three non-collinear and non-zero vectors
a, b and c to be coplanar is [ a b c ] 0 .
If [ a b c] 0 , then the three vectors are noncoplanar.

Exam
Subject
Topic

86)

Let

a , b and c

: EAMCET
: Chemistry
: Vector Algebra

be any three vectors

i) If [ a b c] > 0, then they form a right handed system.

ii) If [ a b c] < 0, then they form a left handed system.
87)

If a , b , c represent coterminous edges of a prallelopiped then volume of the parallelopiped =

| [ a b c ] |.

88)

The volume of the parallelopiped with vertices A, B, C, D is

89)

If

a, b , c

DA DB DC cu.units.

are concurrent edges of a tetrahedron, then the volume of the tetrahedron is equal to

1
| [a b c] | .
6

90)
91)
92)

The volume of the tetrahedron with vertices A, B, C, D is 1 | [DA DB DC] | .

6

If
If

a a 1i a 2 j a 3 k , b b1i b 2 j b 3 k
p, q , r

and c c 1i c 2 j c 3 k , then

a1 a 2
a.( b xc ) [ a b c] b1 b 2

a3
b3

c1 c 2

c3

are any three noncoplanar vectors and a a1p a 2 q a 3 r ,

a1 a 2

c c 1p c 2 q c 3 r , then [ a b c] b1 b 2
c1 c 2

b b 1p b 2 q b 3 r

b 3 [ p q r] .
c3

[ a b c] [a b c]

94)

i) If a , b , c are any three noncoplanar vectors, then the vectors

b xc
a xb
, b ' c x a c'
are
[ a b c]
[ a b c]
[ a b c]

and

a3

93)

a'

a ' , b ' , c'

defined by

called the reciprocal system to the vectors a , b , c .

ii) a.a' b.b' c.c ' 1

iii) [ a ' b ' c' ]

1
[ a b c]

iv) a . b ' b .c' c. a ' ... 0

v) Any vector r can be expressed as
r (r .a ' )a (r.b ' )b (r .c ' )c

95)

i) The vector equation of the plane containing three non collinear points with position vectors
a , b , c is r .( b x c c x a a x b ) [ a b c ]
ii) Equation of plane passing through a , b and parallel to c is r.( b xc cxa ) [ a b c]
iii) Equation of plane passing through a and parallel to b and c is r.( b xc) [ a b c] .
iv) A unit vector perpendicular to the plane passing through a , b , c is

b xc c xa a x b
| b xc c xa a x b |

Exam
Subject
Topic

v)

: EAMCET
: Chemistry
: Vector Algebra

Length of the perpendicular from the origin to the plane passing through
| [ a b c] |
| b xc cx a a x b |

96)
97)

a. p
[ a b c][ p q r] a . q

b.p
b .q

c. p
c. q

a .r

b .r

c.r

The shortest distance between two nonintersecting lines given by

r a t b and r c s d is

| [a - c b d ] |
| b xd |

98)
99)

Vector product of three vectors a , b and c is a x(b xc) or ( axb )xc .

If a , b and c are three vectors, then
i) a x(b xc) ( a .c) b - ( a. b )c
ii) ( a x b )xc ( a .c) b - ( b .c) a

100)

i) If ax( b xc) ( a xb )xc i.e., vector product is not associative.

ii) a x( b xc) ( a x b )xc then c and a are collinear.

101)

For any three vectors a , b , c a x(b xc) b x( cx a ) cx( a x b ) 0

102)

Scalar product of four vectors is (axb ).(cxd) and is equal to

103)

Vector product of four vectors is ( a x b )x(cx d ) .

104)
105)

( a x b )x(cx d ) [ a b d ]c - [ a b c] d [ a c d ] b - [ b c d ] a

Four points

a , b , c, d

a.c b.c
.
a.d b.d

are coplanar if any only if [ b c d ] [c a d ] [a b d ] [ a b c] .

a, b , c

is