STUDYORB

EXERCISE - 2
→ →
1. Find a × b when
→ → → →
^ ^
(i) a = 3 i^ − j^ + k , b = 2 i^ + j^ − k . (ii) a = 2 i^ − 3 j^ − k^, b = i^ + 4 j^ − 2 k^
→ → → →
(iii) In (ii), verify that a × b ≠ b × a
→ → → → → →
^ ^
(iv) a = 2 i^ − j^ + k , b = 3 i^ + 4 j^ − k , verify that a × b is perpendicular to both a and b
→ → → → → → → →
[Hint. Find ( a × b ) and show that ( a × b ) ⋅ a = 0 and ( a × b ) ⋅ b = 0. ]
→ → → → → →
(v) Compute a × ( b + c ) if a = 7 i^ − 2 j^ + 3 k^, b = 2 i^ + 8 k^ , c = i^ + j^ + k^ .
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2. Find a × b when
→ →
(i) a = i^ + 3 j^ − 2 k^ and b = − i^ + 3 k^ (CBSE 1993)
→ →
(ii) a = 2 i^ + k^, b = i^ + j^ + k^ (CBSE 1994)
→ →
^ ^
(iii) a = 3 i^ + 4 j, b = i^ + j^ + k (CBSE 1992 C)
→ → →
3. If a = 2 i^ + 3 j^, b = − i^ + 3 j^ + k^ and c = i^ + 2 j^ + 5 k^ be three vectors, find
→ → → → → → → →
(i) a × b (ii) b × c (iii) ( a − b ) × ( c − b )
→ → → → → →
4. If | a | = 26, | b | = 7 and | a × b | = 35, find a ⋅ b . (AICBSE 2002)
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^
5. If a = 4 i^ + 3 j^ + k^ and b = i^ − 2 k , then find 2 b × a . (CBSE 1993 C)
→ → → → → →
^ ^ ^
6. If a = 3 i^ − j^ − 2 k and b = 2 i^ + 3 j + k , find ( a + 2 b ) × (2 a − b ) .
→ → → → → → → → →
7. If a = 2 i^ + 5 j^ − 7 k , b = − 3 i^ + 4 j + k , and c = i^ − 2 j − 3 k, compute ( a × b ) × c and a × ( b × c ) and
^ ^ ^ ^ ^

verify that these are not equal. (CBSE)

8. Evaluate 2 j^ × (3 i^ − 4 k^ ) + (i^ + 2 j^ ) × k^
→ → → → →
^ ^
9. If a = 3 i^ + j^ + 2 k and b = 2 i^ − 2 j^ + 4 k , verify that a × b is a vector which is perpendicular to both a
→
and b .
Find a unit vector perpendicular to the plane of the vectors.
^ ^
10. 4 i^ − j^ + 3 k and − 2 i^ + j^ − 2 k . (CBSE 1992 C)
^
11. 2 i^ − k and i^ + j^ (CBSE)
12. − 3 j^ + 4 k^ and 4 i^ + 3 j^ (CBSE)
→ →
^ ^
13. a = 2 i^ + j^ + k and b = i^ + 2 j^ + k (CBSE 1996)
^
14. (i) Find the vector of magnitude 9, which is perpendicular to both the vectors 4 i^ − j^ + 3 k and
→ → 
a×b
− 2 i^ + j^ − 2 k . [Hint. Reqd. vector = 9  
^
→ → ]
 a×b 
 
→
(ii) Find a vector whose length is 3 and which is perpendicular to both the vectors a = 3 i^ + j^ − 4 k^
→
^
and b = 6 i^ + 4 j^ − 2 k . (Pb 1993)
^
15. If the position vectors of the three points A, B, C are respectively i^ + j^ + k^ , 2 i^ + 3 j^ − 4 k and
^
7 i^ + 4 j^ + 9 k , find the unit vector perpendicular to the plane of the triangle ABC.
[Hint. Let O be the origin of reference, then
→ → → → → →
^ ^
BC = OC − OB = 5 i^ + j^ + 13 k , BA = OA − OB = − i^ − 2 j^ + 5 k
→ → → →
∴ BC × BA will be a vector perpendicular to both BC and BA , i.e., plane of ∆ ABC
 → → 
∴ Reqd. unit vector =  BC × BA 
 → → 
 BC × BA 
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16. Find the unit vectors perpendicular to the plane ABC when the position vectors of A, B and C are
^ ^ ^
2 i^ − j^ + k , i^ + j^ + 2 k and 2 i^ + 3 k respectively. [CBSE (S.P.) 2003]
17. Find a unit vector perpendicular to the plane determined by the points, P (1, − 1, 2), Q (2, 0, − 1) and R
(0, 2, 1). (I.I.T.)
→ → → → → → → → →
18. If a , b , c are the position vectors of the points A, B, C respectively show that a × b + b × c + c × a
is perpendicular to the plane ABC.
→ → →
[Hint. Since a , b , c are the p.v’s of the points A, B, C respectively in space w.r.t. origin O (say),
therefore
→ → → → → →
BC = p.v. of C − p.v. of B = c − b , BA = p.v. of A − p.v. of B = a − b
→ → → → → → → → → → → → → →
∴ BC × BA = (c − b) × (a − b) = c × a − c × b − b × a + b × b
→ → → → → → → → → → → → → → → →
= c × a + b × c + a × b [∵ − c × b = b × c , − b × a = a × b , b × b = 0]
Since cross product of two non-collinear vectors is always perpendicular to the plane containing
→ → → → → →
them, therefore a × b + b × c + c × a is perpendicular to the plane ABC.]
19. Find the sine of the angle between the vectors.
→ →
(i) a = 3 i^ − 4 j^ + 5 k^, b = i^ − j^ + k^
(ii) i^ + j^ and j^ + k^
(iii) i^ + 3 j^ + 2 k^ and 2 i^ − 4 j^ + k^
→ → → → → →
20. Find the angle between two vectors a and b if a × b = a ⋅ b .
→ → → → → → → → π
[Hint. a×b =a⋅b ⇒ a b sin θ = a b cos θ ⇒ sin θ = cos θ ⇒ tan θ = 1 ⇒ θ = ]
4
→ → → → → →
21. If a = 2, b = 7 and a × b = 3 i^ + 2 j^ + 6 k^, find the angle between a and b .
→ →
→ → a×b
22. If θ is the angle between a and b . then prove that tan θ = → →
. (CBSE 1998)
a⋅b
→ → → → → → → → → →
^ ^ ^
23. If a = 4 i^ − j^ + k , b = i^ + j^ + k and c = i^ − j^ + k , verify that, a × ( b + c ) = ( a × b + a × c ).
24. Find the area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are
^ ^
(i) i − 3 j + k and i + j + k (CBSE 2002 C) (ii) i^ + 2 j^ + 3 k^ and 3 i^ − 2 j^ + k^
^ ^ ^ ^
(CBSE 1991)
^
(iii) 2 i^ + j^ + 3 k and i^ − j^
(H.B. 1991) (iv) 2 i^ and 3 j^ (H.B. 1991 C)
25. Find the area of a parallelogram whose diagonals are
^ ^
(i) i + j − k and i − j + k
^ ^ ^ ^

^
(ii) 3 i^ + 4 j^ and i^ + j^ + k
→ → → → →
^ ^
26. If a = 2 i^ − 3 j^ + k , b = − i^ + k , c = 2 j − k , find the area of the parallelogram having diagonals
→ → → →
a + b and b + c .
→ → → → →
27. If p and q are unit vectors forming an angle of 30º; find the area of the parallelogram having a = p + 2 q
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and b = 2 p + q as its diagonals.
28. Find the area of the triangle whose adjacent sides are determined by the vectors
→ →
^ ^
(i) OA = 3 i^ + 2 j^ − k , OB = i^ + 3 j^ + k (CBSE 2002 C)
→ →
^ ^
(ii) 3 i^ + 4 j^ and − 5 i^ + 7 j^ (iii) a = − 2 i^ − 5 k and b = i^ − 2 j^ − k
29. Find by vector method, the area of triangle ABC whose vertices are
(i) A (1, 3, 2), B (2, − 1, 1) and C (− 1, 2, 3) (CBSE 1992)
(ii) A (1, 2, 3), B (2, 5, − 1) and C (− 1, 1, 2).
30. Show that the points whose position vectors are given below, are collinear,
→ → → → → → → →
(i) a − 2 b + 3 c , 2 a + 3 b − 4 c and − 7 b + 10 c
→ → → → → → → → → → →
[Hint. Let α = a − 2 b + 3 c , β = 2 a + 3 b − 4 c , γ = − 7 b + 10 c Now prove
 STUDYORB

→ → → → → →
( α × β ) + ( β × γ ) + ( γ × α ) = 0 which is the required condition for collinearity]

→ → → → → → → →
(ii) − 2 a + 3 b + 5 c , a + 2 b + 3 c and 7 a − c
^ ^ ^
(iii) 5 i^ + 6 j^ + 7 k , 7 i^ − 8 j^ + 9 k and 3 i^ + 20 j^ + 5 k
→ →
31. Find λ such that a = i^ + λ j^ + 3 k and b = 3 i^ + 2 j^ + 9 k are parallel.
^ ^

→ → → →
[Hint. a and b are parallel if a × b = 0]
^ ^
32. Find the values of a for which the vectors 3 i^ + 2 j^ + 9 k and i^ + a j^ + 3 k are (i) perpendicular (ii) parallel.
(CBSE, H.B.)
→ → → → → → → → → →
^
33. Let a = 3 i^ − j^ and b = 2 i^ + j^ − 3 k . Express b in the form b = b1 + b2 where b1 || a and b2 ⊥ a .
→ → → → →
^ ^
[Hint. Let b1 = λ1 i^ + λ 2 j^ + λ 3 k and b2 = µ1 i^ + µ 2 j^ + µ3 k then, b = b1 + b2

⇒ (2 i^ + j^ − 3 k ) = (λ1 + µ1) i^ + (λ 2 + µ 2 ) j^ + (λ3 + µ3) k ⇒ λ1 + µ1 = 2, λ2 + µ2 = 1 and λ3 + µ3 = − 3.

^ ^

→ → → → → → → → →
Also b1 || a ⇒ b1 × a = 0 , b2 ⊥ a ⇒ b2 . a = 0. Using all these find λ1, λ2, λ3 and µ1, µ2, µ3]
^
34. Find a unit vector parallel to the xy plane and perpendicular to the vector 4 i^ − 3 j^ + k .
^
[Hint : Vector || xy plane will be of the form a i^ + b j^. If this is perp. to 4 i^ − 3 j^ + k then
^
(4 i^ − 3 j^ + k ) ⋅ (a i^ + b j^ ) = 0 ⇒ 4a − 3b = 0. Hence the vector is a i^ + 4a j^ = a (3 i^ + 4 j^ )
3 3
a (3 i^ + 4 j^ )
∴ unit vector = 3 = ± 1 (3 i^ + 4 j^ ) ].
a 32 + 42 5
3
35. Show that the plane through the points (1, 1, 1), (1, − 1, 1), (− 7, − 3, − 5) is parallel to y-axis.
36. By vector method obtain the perpendicular distance of the point (6, − 4, 4) from the line passing
through the points (2, 1, 2) and (3, − 1, 4).
→ → →
37. Given A = i^ + 2 j^ + 3 k^, B = − i^ + 2 j^ + k^ and C = 3 i^ + j^, find a unit vector in the direction of the resultant
→ → →
of these vectors. Also find a vector D which is normal to both A and B . What is the inclination of
→ →
D with C ? (Roorkee)
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38. Prove, using vectors that if a , b , c are the lengths of the sides of a triangle, its area is ∆ =
s (s − a) (s − b) ( s − c) where
1 A
s = (a + b + c).
2
→ → → → →
c →
[Hint. Area of ∆ ABC = 1 BC × BA = 1 BC BA sin B b
2 2
= 1 ac sin B = 1 ac 2 sin B cos B
2 2 2 2 ( ) B →
a C
 
= 1 ac  2 (s − a) (s − c) ⋅ s (s − b)  = s (s − a) (s − b) (s − c). ]
2  ac ac  D
→ →
39. Show that 1 AC × BD represents the vector area of the plane quadrilateral C
2
ABCD.
[Hint. Vector area of quad. ABCD
= vector area of ∆ ABC + vector area of ∆ ACD
A B
→ → → → → → → → → →
= 1 AB × AC + 1 AC × AD = − 1 AC × AB + 1 AC × AD = 1 AC ( AD −
2 2 2 2 2
→ → → → → → → →
= 1 AC × ( AD + BA ) = 1 AC × ( BA + AD ) = 1 AC × BD ]
2 2 2
→ → →
40. Given a = 1 (2 i^ + 3 j^ + 6 k ), b = 1 (3 i^ − 6 j^ + 2 k ), c = 1 (6 i^ + 2 j^ − 3 k^), i^, j^ , k^ being a right handed
^ ^
7 7 7
→ →→
orthogonal system of unit vectors in space, show that a , b , c is also another system of unit vectors
mutually perpendicular.
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→ →→ → → → → → → → → → → → →
[Hint. Show that a , b , c satisfy a = b = c = 1, a ⋅ b = b ⋅ c = c ⋅ a = 0 and a × b = c ,
→ → → → → →
b × c = a and c × a = b ].

41. Find unit vector c^ which is perpendicular to each of the unit vectors a^ = 1 (i^ + 2 j^ + k^ ) and
6
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
b = 1 ⋅ (i^ − 2 j^ + 3 k ) and verify that b × c = a, c × b = a .
^ ^
14
→ →→ → → → → → →
42. a , b , c represent three sides BC , CA and AB of a ∆ ABC such that a = 13, b = 14, c = 15. Find
∠ C.
→ →→ → → → → → → → → → → →
43. a , b , c are three vectors such that a ⋅ b = a ⋅ c ; a × b = a × c , a ≠ 0 prove that b = c .

( r× i) ( r × i ) ⋅ ( r × j ) + xy = 0.
2
^ → ^ → ^ → ^
44. If r = x i^ + y j^ + z k then show that (i) = y2 + z2 and (ii)
45. Prove by vector method that sin (α + β) = sin α cos β + cos α sin β. (CBSE Sample Paper 1999)
Problems on vector moment
→ →
46. A force F = 3 i^ + 2 j^ − 4 k is acting at the point (1, − 1, 2). Find the moment of F about the point
^

(2, − 1, 3).
47. Find the moment about the point P (− 2, 4, − 6) of the force represented in magnitude and position by
→
AB , where the points A and B have the coordinates (1, 2, − 3) and (3, − 4, 2) respectively. Find its
magnitude also.
→ → → →
[Hint. Moment of AB about P is M = PA × AB ]
^ ^
48. Force is 2 i^ + 7 j^, 2 i^ − 5 j^ + 6 k , − i^ + 2 j^ − k act on a point P whose position vector is 4 i^ − 3 j^ − 2 k^ .
Find the vector moment of the resultant of the three forces acting at P about the point Q whose
^
position vector is 6 i^ + j^ − 3 k . (6 ^i + ^j – 3 ^k)
Q
→ → →
[Hint. Let r = Q P F3
→
Then, r = p.v. of P − p.v. of Q →
→ →
F2
P
and moment (M ) of the resultant force F (of given forces (4 ^i – 3 ^j – 2 ^k)
→ → → → → →
F1, F2 and F3 ) about Q is given by M = r × F ] →
F1
49. (i) Find the moment about the point i^ + 2 j^ − k^ of a force
^
represented by i^ + 2 j^ + k^ acting through the point 2 i^ + 3 j^ + k . (CBSE 2000)

(ii) Find the moment of a force, represented by 3 i^ + k^ acting through the point B with position vector
^
2 i^ − j^ + 3 k , about the point A with position vector i + 2 j − k .
^ ^ ^

→
50. A force F = 4 i^ − 3 k^ passes through the point A whose position vector is 2 i^ − 2 j^ + 5 k^ . Find the
→
moment of F about the point B whose position vector is i^ − 3 j^ + k^ .
^ ^
51. A force of 15 units acts parallel to the line i^ − 2 j^ + 2 k and passes through the point 2 i^ − 2 j^ − k .
^
Using vector method find the magnitude of the moment of the force about the point i^ + j^ − k .
^ ^
^ i^ − 2 j^ + 2 k i^ − 2 j^ + 2 k
[Hint. The unit vector in the direction of i^ − 2 j^ + 2 k = =
(12 + 22 + 22 ) 3

→ i^ − 2 j^ + 2 k
^
^ ^
∴ The given force F = 15 × = 5 ( i^ − 2 j^ + 2 k ) = 5 i^ − 10 j^ + 10 k . ]
3
Let i^ + j^ − k^, 2 i^ − 2 j^ − k^ be the position vectors of the points O and P respectively.
→ →
^ ^
r = OP = (2 i^ − 2 j^ − k ) − (i^ + j^ − k ) = i^ − 3 j^
The vector moment of F about O
^
→ → i^ j^ k
= r × F = (i^ − 3 j^) × (5 i^ − 10 j^ + 10 k^) = 1 ^
− 3 0 = − 30 i^ − 10 j^ + 5 k
5 −10 10
→ →
∴ Magnitude = r × F = (− 30)2 + (− 10)2 + 52 = 900 + 100 + 25 = 1025 = 25 × 41 = 5 4 ]
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ANSWERS
1. (i) − i^ + 7 j^ + 5 k^ (ii) 10 i^ + 3 j^ + 11 k^ (v) − 21 i^ − 54 j^ + 13 k^
2. (i) 91 (ii) 6 (iii) 26

3. (i) 3 i^ − 2 j^ + 9 k^ (ii) 13 i^ + 6 j^ − 5 k^ (iii) − i^ − 14 j^ − 3 k^

4. 7 5. 504 6. − 25 i^ + 35 j^ − 55 k^
→ → → → → →
7. ( a × b ) × c = − 11 i^ + 122 j^ − 85 k^, a × ( b × c ) = − 46 i^ + 66 j^ + 34 k^ .

8. − 6 i^ − j^ − 6 k^ 10. 1 ( − i^ + 2 j^ + 2 k^ ) 11. 1 ( i^ − j^ + 2 k^ )
3 6
12. − 3 i^ + 4 j^ + 3 k 13. − 1 (i^ + j^ − 3 k )
^ ^
34 34 34 11
^
15. 31 i − 38 j − 9 k
^ ^
14. (i) − 3 i^ + 6 j^ + 6 k^ (ii) 2 i^ − 2 j^ + k^
2486
^
17. (2 i + j + k )
^ ^
16. ± 1 (3 i^ + 2 j^ − k^)
14 6

19. (i) sin −1 1 (5) (ii) sin θ = 3

4
(iii) sin θ =
115
147
21. π 24. (i) 4 2 sq units (ii) 8 3 sq units
6
(iii) 3 3 sq uni (iv) 6 sq units 25. (i) 2 sq uni
(ii) 74 sq units 26. 1 21 sq units 27. 3 sq unit
2 2 4
28. (i) 3 10 sq units (ii) 41 sq units (iii) 1 165 sq units
2 2 2
2
29. (i) 1 107 sq units (ii) 1 155 sq units 31. λ =
2 2 3
2
32. (i) a = − 15 (ii) a = 36. 3
3
→ →
3 i^ + 5 j^ + 4 k → → →
^
D⋅C
⇒ θ = cos −1  −
^
37. Unit vector = , D = A × B = − 4(i^ − j^ − k ), cos θ =
→ →
5 2 
D C

(13 )
^
41. 4 i − j − 2 k
^ ^
42. cos −1 5 46. 2 i^ − 7 j^ − 2 k^
21

47. 8 i^ − 9 j^ − 14 k^ , magnitude = 341 48. − 24 i^ + 13 j^ + 4 k^

49. (i) − 3i^ + j^ + k^ (ii) − 3 i^ + 11 j^ + 9 k^

^
50. 3 i^ − 19 j^ + 4 k , magnitude = 386