Vectors and Vector Geometry

Notation and Representation of vectors:

In general vectors are denoted by a letter or
combination of two letters giving arrow over it such as
, b⃗ , ⃗
a⃗ AB … … … etc. or bold faced type of letters without

arrow such as a, b , AB etc.

The geometrical representation of a vector is the directed
line segment ⃗
AB , A is called starting or initial point and B is

known as ending or terminal point.

If p(x, y) be any point on the rectangular coordinate axes
then the directed line segment OP is called the position
vector of the point p, denoted by ⃗ op .

Modulus of a vector: The modulus of a

vector is a non-negative quantity which measures the
length of a line segment representing that vector. So,
the modulus measure the distance between two points
(i.e its initial and terminal points).
i.e if a⃗ = ( x , y ) be any plane vector, then the modulus of a⃗ is
denoted by |a⃗ | or a and defined by
|a⃗| = a = √ x + y . 2 2

Similarly, if a⃗ = ( x , y , z) be any space vector, then

|a⃗| = a = √ x + y + z .2 2 2

Types of vector:
i) Unit vector: A vector whose magnitude is unity or one
known as unit vector. If a⃗ is a non-zero vector then the unit
vector of a⃗ is denoted by a^ (read as a cap) and is defined by
⃗a
a^ =
¿ ⃗a∨¿ ¿
in the direction of a⃗.

So, if a⃗ = ( x , y , z) be any vector then unit vector of a⃗ is

a
⃗
a^ =
¿ ⃗a∨¿ ¿
(x , y , z)
= √ x2 + y2 + z2
x y z
= ( √ x + y +z , √ x + y +z
2 2 2 2 2 2
,
√ x + y2 + z2
2 )
ii) Null or Zero vector: A vector is said to be zero or null
vector if when its magnitude is zero, denoted by 0⃗ and
given by 0=(0,0)
⃗
. In a zero vector the initial and terminal
point are coincide.
iii) Negative vector: A vector having the same magnitude
and but opposite in the direction known as negative vector
of the given vector. So, the negative vector of ⃗
PQ is ⃗
QP or

PQ .
−⃗

iv) Like vector: Two vectors are said to be like if they have
the same direction whatever may be the magnitude.
v) Unlike vector: Two vectors are said to be unlike if they
have the opposite direction whatever may be the magnitude.
vi) Equal vector: Two vectors are said to be equal if they
have the same magnitude and the same direction.
vii) Localised vector: A vector which passes through a
given point and parallel to the given vector.

Exercise

Q.N 2
Determine a⃗ + 2 b⃗ and 2 a⃗ – 3 b⃗ and magnitude of each of
the followings
i) a⃗ =(1,3) and b⃗ = (-2, 3)
ii) a⃗ = ( 4 , 3 ) and b⃗ = (-2, -3).
Solution: (ii) Given, a⃗ = ( 4 , 3 ) and b⃗ = (-2, -3).
i.e. a⃗ = (4, 3) = 4 i⃗ +3 ⃗j and b⃗ = (-2, -3) = - 2i⃗ - 3⃗j
2a⃗ - 3b⃗ = 2 (4i⃗ + 3 ⃗j ) – 3 (-2i⃗ - 3⃗j )
= 8 i⃗ + 6 ⃗j + 6 i⃗ + 9⃗j = 14i⃗ + 15⃗j = (14, 15)
 And
|2a⃗ - 3b⃗ | = √ 14 +15 = √ 421
2 2

Also,
Unit vector in the direction of 2 a⃗ - 3 b⃗ is
2 ⃗a −3 ⃗b 14 ⃗ 15 ⃗
|2 ⃗a −3 ⃗b| = √ 421
i + √ 421
j

Q.N 3 Find a⃗ or b⃗ as the case may be when

i) a⃗ = (3, 4) and 3a⃗ + 2b⃗ = (5, 6)
Solution:
Here,
a⃗ = (3, 4) … (i)
3a⃗ + 2b⃗ = (5, 6)… (ii)
From (i) and (ii)
3(3, 4) + 2b⃗ = (5, 6)
or, 2b⃗ = (5, 6) – (9, 12)
or, 2b⃗ = (5 – 9, 6 – 12)
1
or, b⃗ = 2 (-4, -6)
  b⃗ = (-2, -3)
Example: If a⃗ + ⃗b = (5, 6) and a⃗ −⃗b = (3, 2), find a⃗ and b⃗.
Solution:
Here, a⃗ + b⃗ = (5, 6) … (i)
a⃗ - b⃗ = (3, 2) … (ii)
Adding (i) and (ii)
2 a⃗ = (8, 8)
 a⃗ = (4, 4)
Putting the value of a⃗ in (i)
(4, 4) + b⃗ = (5, 6)
or, b⃗ = (5, 6) – (4, 4) = (1, 2)
 b⃗ = (1, 2)

The unit vectors i, j, k:

 The unit vectors along two mutually perpendicular
coordinate axes ox and oy denoted by i⃗ and ⃗j are defined
by i⃗ =(1,0) and ⃗j =(0,1) respectively.
Similarly, the unit vectors along three mutually
perpendicular coordinate axes ox, oy and oz denoted by i⃗
⃗j
and k⃗are defined by i⃗ =(1,0,0) , ⃗j =(0,1,0) and k⃗ =(0,0,1)
respectively.
Note:1 Every plane vector is of the form a1i⃗ + a2 ⃗j and
conversely.
Proof: Let, (a1, a2) be a plane vector.
Then, (a1, a2) = (a1 + 0, 0 + a2)
= (a1, 0) + (0, a2)
= a1(1, 0) + a2 (0, 1)
= a1i⃗ + a2 ⃗j
Conversely, a1i⃗ + a2⃗j = a1 (1, 0) + a2 (0, 1)
= (a1, 0) + (0, a2)
= (a1+0, 0+a2)
= (a1, a2)
Therefore, (a1, a2) = a1i⃗ + a2 ⃗j .
Similarly, (a1, a2, a3) = a1i⃗ + a2⃗j + a3k⃗.
Collinear vectors: Two or more vectors lying on
the same line or all of them are parallel to the same
line whatever be the magnitude. Otherwise they are
said to be non-colinear.
i.e. if any vector a⃗ is collinear with a given vector b⃗,
then a⃗ =k b⃗, where k is any non-zero scalar.

Coplanar vectors: Vectors are said to be coplanar if

they lie on the same plane or a plane can be drawn parallel to
all of them. Otherwise they are said to be non-coplanar.

Modulus and direction cosines of a line:

If ⃗
op = ( x , y , z) = xi⃗ + y ⃗j + zk⃗ then the modulus of ⃗
op
 is |⃗
op | = op = √ x + y + z . 2 2 2

Also, unit vector along ⃗

op is defined by
o⃗p
o^p=
op∨¿¿
¿⃗
x i⃗ + y ⃗j+ z k⃗
= √ x 2+ y 2+ z 2
x y z
= √ x + y + z ⃗i+ √ x + y + z ⃗j + √ x + y + z
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
⃗k

Direction cosine of a line:

Let ⃗
op = ( x , y , z) = xi⃗ + y ⃗j + zk⃗ be a vector which makes

an angles α , β∧γ angles with the coordinate axes ox, oy,

and oz resp. then the cosine angles made by the vector
op with the coordinate axes ox , oy and oz are known as
⃗

direction cosines of the vector ⃗ op . i.e cosα , cos β and cosγ

are the direction cosines of the vector ⃗ op along x-,y- and

z-axes resp. They are denoted by l, m, n resp.

i.e l = cosα m = cos β and n = cosγ .

From figure,
oc z
cosγ =¿ op = √x 2
+ y2 + z2
z
∴ n= √x 2
+ y2 + z2
x
Similarly, l = √ x + y + z 2 2 2

y
and m = √x 2
+ y2 + z2

op are
So, the direction cosines of the vector ⃗
x
l = cos α =¿
√x 2
+ y2 + z2
 y
m = cos β = √ x + y + z 2 2 2

z
and n = cosγ = √ x + y + z .2 2 2

Note: i) The direction cosines of a vector ⃗ op are the coefficient

of the unit vector i⃗ , ⃗j and k⃗ .

ii) l +m + n =1
2 2 2

i.e cos α +cos β +cos γ=1

2 2 2

Linear and non-linear vectors:

Coplanar and non-coplanar vectors:
Linear combination of vectors:
Linearly dependents and independents of vectors:

Exercise 7.2
Q.N: 1 i)
If D is the middle point of BC of the triangle ABC show
that AB + AC = 2 AD.
Solution:
Given, D be the middle point of BC of the triangle ABC.
From ABD, AB
⃗
+⃗
BD = ⃗
AD …(i)

From ACD, ⃗
AC + ⃗
CD = ⃗
AD …(ii)
Adding (i) and (ii)
AB
⃗ +⃗
AC + ⃗
BD + ⃗
CD = 2⃗
AD
 or, ⃗
AB + ⃗
AC + ⃗
BD - ⃗
BD = 2 ⃗
AD

( D is the midpoint of BC)

⃗
AB + ⃗
AC = 2⃗
AD

Q.N 3 ii)
ABCD is a parallelogram. G is the point of intersection of its
diagonals and if O is any point show that:
OA + ⃗
⃗ OB +⃗ OD = 4⃗
OC +⃗ OG

Solution:
Given, ABCD is a parallelogram. Also G is the point of
intersection of its diagonals and O is any point. A D

Now, G

B C
OA + ⃗
⃗ OB +⃗
OC +⃗
OD
O

= (⃗
OG + ⃗
GA ) + (⃗
OG + ⃗
GB ) + (⃗
OG + ⃗
GC ) + (⃗
OG + ⃗
GD )

= 4⃗
OG + (⃗
GA + ⃗
GC ) + (⃗
GD + ⃗
GB )

= 4⃗
OG + (⃗
GA - ⃗
GA ) + (⃗
GD - ⃗
GD ) (∵ The diagonals of parallelogram bisects each other)

=4⃗
OG .

Q.N:4 i)
The vertices A, B, C of a triangle are (2, -1, - 3), (4, 2,3)
and(6, 3, 4) respectively. Show that ⃗ AB = (2, 3, 6), ⃗
AC =

(4, 4, 7), ⃗
BC = (2, 1, 1) and AB = 7, AC = 9 and

BC =√ 6 .
Solution:
Given, A (2, -1, -3), B (4, 2, 3) and C (6, 3, 4) be the given
vertices of ABC. Let O be the origin. Then,
OA
⃗
= (2, -1, -3),
OB
⃗
= (4, 2, 3), and
OC
⃗
= (6, 3, 4)
Now,
AB
⃗
=⃗
OB−⃗
OA

= (4, 2, 3) – (2, -1, -3)

= (4 - 2, 2 + 1, 3 + 3)
= (2, 3, 6)
AC
⃗
=⃗
OC - ⃗
OA

= (6, 3, 4) – (2, -1, -3) = (4, 4, 7)

AC = | ⃗
AC | = √ 4 + 4 +7 = √ 81 = 9
2 2 2

Similar for other…..

 Q.N 4 ii)
Show that the three points whose position vectors are
7 ⃗j + 10k⃗, - i⃗ + 6 ⃗j + 6k⃗ and -4i⃗ + 9 ⃗j + 6k⃗ form an isosceles
triangle.
Solution:
Let A, B and C be the three points with position vectors 7 ⃗j + 10
k⃗ , - i⃗ + 6 ⃗j + 6k⃗ and -4i⃗ + 9 ⃗j + 6k⃗ respectively. Let O be the origin.
A
Then,

OA
⃗ = 7 ⃗j + 10k⃗ B C

OB
⃗ = - i⃗ + 6 ⃗j + 6 k⃗
OC
⃗ = -4 i⃗ + 9 ⃗j + 6 k⃗
Now,
AB
⃗ =⃗
OB - ⃗
OA = - i⃗ - ⃗j - 4k⃗

BC
⃗ =⃗
OC - ⃗
OB = - 3i⃗ + 3 ⃗j

AC
⃗ =⃗
OC - ⃗
OA = - 4i⃗ + 2 ⃗j - 4 k⃗

AB = | ⃗
AB | = √ (−1) +(−1) +(−4) = √ 18 = 3√ 2
2 2 2

BC = | ⃗
BC | = √ (−3) +3 = √ 18 = 3√ 2
2 2

AC = | ⃗
AC | = √ (−4) +2 +(−4) = 6
2 2 2

Here, AB = BC
 So, A, B and C are vertices of an isosceles triangle.

Q.N 5 a)
If ⃗
OP = i⃗ + 3 ⃗j - 7 k⃗ and ⃗
OQ = 5 i⃗ - 2 ⃗j + 4k⃗ , find ⃗
PQ and

its direction cosines.

Solution:
Here, ⃗
OP = i⃗ + 3 ⃗j - 7 k⃗ and ⃗
OQ = 5 i⃗ - 2 ⃗j + 4 k⃗

PQ
⃗ =⃗
OQ - ⃗
OP

= (5 i⃗ - 2 ⃗j + 4 k⃗ ) – (i⃗ + 3 ⃗j - 7 k⃗ )
= 4 i⃗ - 5 ⃗j + 11 k⃗
|⃗
PQ| = √ 4 +(−5) +11 = 9√ 2
2 2 2

PQ
⃗
Unit vector in the direction of ⃗
PQ is ⃗
|PQ|

4 i⃗ −5 ⃗j+ 11 ⃗k
= 9 √2

4 −5 11
Required d.c's are , ,
9 √2 9 √ 2 9 √2 .

Q.N 5 b)
If a⃗ = (3, -1, -4), b⃗ = (-2, 4, -3) and c⃗ = (-5, 7, -1) find
i) a⃗ - 2b⃗ + c⃗ ii) | a⃗ - 2b⃗ + c⃗ |
iii) Unit vector along the direction of a⃗ - 2b⃗ + c⃗
iv) The direction cosines represented by the vector
(a⃗ - 2b⃗ + c⃗ ).
Solution:
Here, a⃗ = (3, -1, -4), b⃗ = (-2, 4, -3) and c⃗ (-5, 7, -1)
i) a⃗ −2 ⃗b +c⃗ = (3, -1, -4) – 2 (-2, 4, -3) + (-5, 7, -1)
= (3 + 4 – 5, -1 – 8 + 7, -4 + 6 -1)
= (2, -2, 1)
ii)|a⃗ - 2b⃗ + c⃗| = √ 2 +(−2) + 1 = √ 9 = 3
2 2 2

iii) the unit vector along the direction a⃗ - 2b⃗ + c⃗ is

a⃗ −2 ⃗b + c⃗ 2 ,−2 , 1
|a⃗ −2 ⃗b + c⃗| =( 3 ) = ( 23 , −23 , 31 )
iv) The required direction cosines of the line represented
2 −2 1
by the vector a⃗ - 2b⃗ + c⃗ are 3 , 3 , 3 .

Q.N 6: OB and OC are two straight lines and D is a

point on BC such that BD : DC = m : n, show that
n⃗
OB+m ⃗OC
OD =
⃗
.
m+ n

Solution:
 Suppose OB and OC are two straight lines and D is a
point on BC such that BD: DC = m : n.
BD m
So, =
DC n B
m
BD m
⃗
or, =
DC n
⃗
D
O
n
or, n⃗
BD = m⃗
DC

C
or, n ( OD
⃗
- ) = m(
OB
⃗ OC
⃗
- OD
⃗
)
or, n⃗
OD - n⃗
OB = m⃗
OC - m⃗
OD

or, n⃗
OD + m⃗
OD = n⃗
OB + m⃗
OC

or, (n + m)⃗
OD = n⃗
OB + m⃗
OC

n⃗
OB+m ⃗OC
 OD
⃗
= m+ n

Q.N 7 a. ii) Show that the vectors i⃗ +2 ⃗j+ 4 ⃗k ,

and 3 i⃗ + 8 ⃗j−6 ⃗k are collinear.
2 ⃗i +5 ⃗j−k⃗

Solution:
Let A, B and C be three points with position vectors
i⃗ +2 ⃗j+4 ⃗k ,2 i⃗ + 5 ⃗j− ⃗k and 3 i⃗ + 8 ⃗j−6 ⃗k respectively. Let O be the origin.
Then
OA
⃗
= i⃗ +2 ⃗j+4 ⃗k
 OB
⃗
= 2i⃗ + 5 ⃗j - k⃗
OC
⃗
= 3i⃗ + 8 ⃗j – 6 k⃗
AB
⃗
=⃗
OB - ⃗
OA = i⃗ + 3 ⃗j - 5k⃗

AC
⃗
=⃗
OC - ⃗
OA = 2i⃗ + 6 ⃗j - 10k⃗

= 2 (i⃗ + 3 ⃗j - 5k⃗) = 2⃗
AB

This shows that AB an AC are parallel and starting from

the same point A. So, A, B and C are collinear points.
Q.N 7 b) If 3 i⃗ + ⃗j - k⃗ and  i⃗ - 4 ⃗j + 4k⃗ are collinear vectors,
find the value of .
Solution:
Since the vectors 3i⃗ + ⃗j - k⃗ and  i⃗ - 4 ⃗j + 4k⃗ are collinear, so
m (3i⃗ +⃗j - k⃗) =  i⃗ – 4 ⃗j + 4 k⃗ for some scalar m.
or, 3m i⃗ + m ⃗j - mk⃗ =  i⃗ - 4 ⃗j + 4k⃗
Equating the coefficient of i⃗, ⃗j and k⃗ , we get
=3m … (i)
m = -4 … (ii)
From (i) and (ii)
= 3 × (-4) = -12.
 Q.N 8 i)
Prove that the following vectors are coplanar:
i) a⃗ - 2b⃗ + 3c⃗, -2a⃗ + 3b⃗ - 4c⃗ and -b⃗ + 2c⃗
Solution:
Let r 1=⃗a
⃗ - 2b⃗ + 3 c⃗
r2
⃗ = -2 a⃗ + 3b⃗ - 4 c⃗
r3
⃗ = -b⃗ + 2c⃗
If three vectors are coplanar then one vector can be
written as the sum of the scalars multiples of other two
vectors,
So, let
r3
⃗ = x⃗r + y⃗r … (i)
1 2

where x and y are scalars to be determined.

or, -b⃗ + 2 ⃗c = x (a⃗ - 2b⃗ + 3c⃗) + y (-2a⃗ + 3b⃗ - 4c⃗ )
or, 0a⃗-b⃗ + 2c⃗ = (x – 2y) a⃗ + (-2x + 3y) b⃗ + (3x – 4y) c⃗
Equating, we have
x – 2y = 0 … (ii)
-2x + 3y = -1 … (iii)
 3x – 4y = 2 … (iv)
Solving (ii) and (iii), we get x = 2, y = 1.
Substituting the value of x and y in (iv)
3 × 2 – 4 × 1 = 2 (true
 Form (i)
r3
⃗ = 2 ⃗r + ⃗r
1 2

Hence the given vectors are coplanar.

ii) and iii) try yourself

Q.N (similar as 10)

Show that the following vectors are linearly dependent
5i⃗ + 6 ⃗j + 7k⃗, 7i⃗ - 8 ⃗j + 9k⃗ and 3i⃗ + 20 ⃗j + 5k⃗.
Solution:
Given vectors are 5i⃗ + 6 ⃗j + 7k⃗, 7i⃗ - 8 ⃗j + 9k⃗ and 3i⃗ + 20 ⃗j + 5k⃗
567
Now, | |
7−8 9
3 20 5

9 −6 7 9 +7 7−8
= 5 |−8
20 5 | |3 5| | 3 20 |

= 5 (-40 – 180) – 6 (35 – 27) + 7 (140 +24)

 = -1100 – 48 + 1148 = 0
So the given vectors are linearly dependent.