Solved Examples
V Example 1 Find component of vector A + B along (i) x-axis, (ii) C .
Given A = $i − 2$j, B = 2$i + 3k$ and C = $i + $j .
Solution A + B = ($i − 2$j) + (2i$ + 3k$ ) = 3$i − 2$j + 3k$
(i) Component of A + B along x-axis is 3.
(ii) Component of A + B = R (say) along C is
R ⋅ C (3i$ − 2$j + 3k$ ) • ($i + $j) 3 − 2 1
R cos θ = = = =
C (1)2 + (1)2 2 2
V Example 2 Find the angle that the vector A = 2$i + 3$j − k$ makes with y-axis.
Ay 3 3
Solution cos θ = = =
A (2) + (3) + (− 1)
2 2 2 14
3
∴ θ = cos −1
14
V Example 3 If a and b are the vectors AB and BC determined by the adjacent
sides of a regular hexagon. What are the vectors determined by the other sides
taken in order?
E D
Solution Given AB = a and BC = b
From the method of vector addition (or subtraction) we can show that,
CD = b − a F
–a
C
Then DE = − AB = − a
b
EF = − BC = − b
A B
and FA = − CD = a − b
V Example 4 If a × b = b × c ≠ 0 with a ≠ − c then show that a + c = kb, where k is
scalar.
Solution a × b = b × c
a× b= − c× b
∴ a× b+ c× b=0
(a + c) × b = 0
∴ a × b ≠ 0, b × c ≠ 0, a , b, c are non-zero vectors. (a + c) ≠ 0
Hence, a + c is parallel to b.
∴ a + c = kb
Chapter 5 Vectors 117
V Example 5 If A = 2$i − 3$j + 7k$ , B = $i + 2$j and C = $j − k.
$ Find A •( B × C).
Solution A •(B × C) = [ABC], volume of parallelopiped
2 −3 7
= 1 2 0 = 2 (− 2 − 0) + 3 (− 1 − 0) + 7 (1 − 0) = − 4 − 3 + 7 = 0
0 1 −1
Therefore A , B and C are coplanar vectors.
V Example 6 Find the resultant of three vectors OA ,OB and OC shown in figure.
Radius of circle is ‘ R ’.
C
B
4 5°
45°
O A
Solution OA = OC
OA + OC is along OB, (bisector) and its magnitude is 2R cos 45° = R 2
(OA + OC) + OB is along OB and its magnitude is R 2 + R = R (1 + 2 )
V Example 7 Prove that|a × b|2 = a 2 b2 − (a ⋅ b)2
Solution Let|a|= a,|b|= b and θ be the angle between them.
|a × b|2 = (ab sin θ )2 = a 2b2 sin 2 θ
= a 2b2 (1 − cos 2 θ ) = a 2b2 − (a ⋅ b cos θ )2
= a 2b2 − (a •b)2 Hence Proved.
V Example 8 Show that the vectors a = 3$i − 2$j + k,
$ b = $i − 3$j + 5k$ and
c = 2 i + j − 4k form a right angled triangle.
$ $ $
Solution We have b + c = (i$ − 3$j + 5k$ ) + (2i$ + $j − 4k$ ) = 3$i − 2$j + k$ = a
Hence, a, b, c are coplanar.
Also, we observe that no two of these vectors are parallel.
Further, a ⋅ c = (3$i − 2$j + k$ ) ⋅ (2i$ + $j − 4k$ ) = 0
Dot product of two non-zero vectors is zero. Hence, they are perpendicular b
c
so they form a right angled triangle.
|a|= 9 + 4 + 1 = 14 ,
|b| = 1 + 9 + 25 = 35 a
and |c|= 4 + 1 + 16 = 21
⇒ a 2 + c2 = b2 Hence Proved.
118 Mechanics - I
V Example 9 Let A , B and C be the unit vectors. Suppose that A ⋅ B = A ⋅ C = 0 and
π
the angle between B and C is then prove that A = ± 2 ( B × C)
6
Solution Since, A ⋅ B = 0, A ⋅ C = 0
Hence, (B + C) ⋅ A = 0
So, A is perpendicular to (B + C). Further, A is a unit vector perpendicular to the plane of
vectors B and C.
B× C
A=±
| B × C|
π 1 1
|B × C|= |B||C|sin = 1 × 1 × =
6 2 2
B× C
∴ A=± = ± 2 (B × C)
|B × C|
V Example 10 A particle moves on a given line with a constant speed v. At a
certain time, it is at a point P on its straight line path. O is a fixed point. Show
that ( OP × v ) is independent of the position P.
Solution Let v = v$i
x P v y
(x, y)
y
x
O
OP = x$i + y$j
Take OP × v = (xi$ + y$j) × vi$
= − yvk$
= constant (because y is constant)
Hence, OP × v, which is independent of position of P.
V Example 11 Prove that the mid-point of the hypotenuse of right angled triangle
is equidistant from its vertices.
Solution Here, ∠CAB = 90°, let D be the mid-point of hypotenuse, we have
BD = DC C
AB = AD + DB
AC = AD + DC = AD + BD D
Since, ∠BAC = 90° AB ⊥ AC
(AD + DB) ⋅ (AD + BD) = 0
(AD − BD) ⋅ (AD + BD) = 0 A B
AD 2 − BD 2 = 0
∴ AD = BD also BD = DC
Q D is mid-point of BC
Thus,| AD| = |BD| = |DC|. Hence, the result.
