Sheet 1 Solution

1. If 𝑎⃑ = 2 𝐢 − 3 𝐣 + 4 𝐤, 𝑏⃑⃑ = 𝐢 + 2 𝐣 − 3 𝐤 and 𝑐⃑ = 3 𝐢 + 4 𝐣 − 𝐤, find

(i) ‖𝑎⃑ − 2𝑏⃑⃑‖ (ii) 𝑐⃑ + 𝑏⃑⃑ − 5𝑎⃑ (iii) 𝑐⃑ ∙ 𝑏⃑⃑ (iv) 𝑎⃑ × 𝑏⃑⃑ (v) 𝑏⃑⃑ ∙ (𝑐⃑ × 𝑎⃑)

(vi) 𝑏⃑⃑ × (𝑐⃑ × 𝑎⃑) (vii) ‖𝑐⃑‖ 𝑎⃑ (viii) 𝑏̂ × 𝑏⃑⃑ (ix) (𝑏⃑⃑ ∙ 𝑎⃑)𝑐⃑ (x) ‖𝑎⃑ × 𝑐⃑‖

(i) 𝑎⃑ − 2𝑏⃑⃑ = 〈2, −3, 4〉 − 2 〈1, 2, −3〉 = 〈0, −7, 10〉

‖𝑎⃑ − 2𝑏⃑⃑‖ = √02 + (−7)2 + 102 = √149.

(ii) 𝑐⃑ + 𝑏⃑⃑ − 5𝑎⃑ = 〈3, 4, −1〉 + 〈1, 2, −3〉 − 5 〈2, −3, 4〉 = 〈−6, 21, −24〉.
(iii) 𝑐⃑ ∙ 𝑏⃑⃑ = 〈3, 4, −1〉 ∙ 〈1, 2, −3〉 = 3 + 8 + 3 = 14.
i j k
(iv) 𝑎⃑ × 𝑏⃑⃑ = 2 3 4 = 𝐢 + 10 𝐣 + 7 𝐤.
1 2 3
i j k
(v) 𝑏⃑⃑ ∙ (𝑐⃑ × 𝑎⃑) = 〈1, 2, −3〉 ∙ 3 4 1 = 〈1, 2, −3〉 ∙ 〈13, −14, −17〉 = 13 − 28 + 51 = 36.
2 3 4
i j k i j k
(vi) 𝑏⃑⃑ × (𝑐⃑ × 𝑎⃑) = 〈1, 2, −3〉 × 3 4 1 = 〈1, 2, −3〉 × 〈13, −14, −17〉 = 1 2 3
2 3 4 13 14  17
= −76𝐢 − 22 𝐣 − 40 𝐤.
(vii) ‖𝑐⃑‖ 𝑎⃑ = (√32 + 42 + (−1)2 ) 〈2, −3, 4〉 = √26 〈2, −3, 4〉 = 〈2√26, −3√26, 4√26〉.

(viii) 𝑏̂ × 𝑏⃑⃑ = 0.
(ix) (𝑏⃑⃑ ∙ 𝑎⃑)𝑐⃑ = (〈2, −3, 4〉 ∙ 〈1, 2, −3〉)〈3, 4, −1〉 = −12 〈3, 4, −1〉 = 〈−36, −48, 12〉.
i j k
(x) 𝑎⃑ × 𝑐⃑ = 2 3 4 = 〈−13, 14, 17〉 ⇒ ‖𝑎⃑ × 𝑐⃑‖ = √(−13)2 + 142 + 172 .
3 4 1

2. Determine whether the following points are collinear (on the same line)
(i) 𝑃(2, 3, 1), 𝑄(4, 2, 2) and 𝑅(8, 0, 4).
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑃𝑄 = 2𝐢 − 𝐣 + 𝐤, ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑃𝑅 = 6𝐢 − 3 𝐣 + 3 𝐤
2 −1 1
∵ The two vectors start from the same point 𝑃 and ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑃𝑄 is parallel to ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑃𝑅 (6 = −3 = 3).
∴ The two vectors are collinear.

(ii) 𝑃(2, 3, 1), 𝑄(0, 4, 2) and 𝑅(4, 1, 4).

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑃𝑄 = −2𝐢 + 𝐣 + 𝐤, ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑃𝑅 = 2𝐢 − 2 𝐣 + 3 𝐤
−2 1 1
∵ The two vectors start from the same point 𝑃 but ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑃𝑄 is not parallel to ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑃𝑅 ( 2 = −2 = 3).
∴ The two vectors are not collinear.

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3. Use vectors to determine whether the following points form an equilateral triangle
(i) A(0, 1, 1), B(2, 4, 2) and C(3, 1, 4).
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 2𝐢 + 3 𝐣 + 𝐤,
𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 3𝐢 + 0 𝐣 + 3 𝐤 and
𝐴𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 𝐢 − 3 𝐣 + 2 𝐤
𝐵𝐶
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √4 + 9 + 1 = √14 ,
‖𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √9 + 0 + 9 = √18 , ‖𝐵𝐶
‖𝐴𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √1 + 9 + 4 = √14

∴ The triangle ABC is not an equilateral triangle.

(ii) A(2, 1, 0), B(4, 1, 2) and C(4, 3, 0).

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 2𝐢 + 0 𝐣 + 2 𝐤,
𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 2𝐢 + 2 𝐣 + 0 𝐤 and
𝐴𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 0 𝐢 + 2 𝐣 − 2 𝐤
𝐵𝐶
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √4 + 0 + 4 = √8 ,
‖𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √4 + 4 + 0 = √8 , ‖𝐵𝐶
‖𝐴𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √0 + 4 + 4 = √8

∴ The triangle ABC is an equilateral triangle

4. Use vectors and the Pythagorean Theorem to determine whether the following points form a right triangle
(i) A(3, 1,−2), B(1, 0, 1) and C(4, 2, −1).
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐵 = −2𝐢 − 𝐣 + 3 𝐤, ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐶 = 𝐢 + 𝐣 + 𝐤 and ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 3 𝐢 + 2 𝐣 − 2 𝐤
𝐵𝐶
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √4 + 1 + 9 = √14 ,
‖𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √1 + 1 + 1 = √3 , ‖𝐵𝐶
‖𝐴𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √9 + 4 + 4 = √17
2 2 2
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = ‖𝐴𝐵
‖𝐵𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ + ‖𝐴𝐶
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ ⇒ 17 = 14 + 3
∴ The triangle ABC is a right triangle.

(ii) A(1, −2, 1), B(4, 3, 2) and C(7, 1, 3).

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 3𝐢 + 5 𝐣 + 𝐤,
𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 6 𝐢 + 3 𝐣 + 2 𝐤 and
𝐴𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 3 𝐢 − 2 𝐣 + 𝐤
𝐵𝐶
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √9 + 25 + 1 = √35 ,
‖𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √36 + 9 + 4 = √49 , ‖𝐵𝐶
‖𝐴𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = √9 + 4 + 1 = √14
2 2 2
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = ‖𝐴𝐵
‖𝐴𝐶 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ + ‖𝐵𝐶
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ ⇒ 49 = 35 + 14
∴ The triangle ABC is a right triangle

5. In the accompanying figure, two ropes are attached to a 500-pound crate.

Rope A exerts a force of 〈10, −130, 200〉 pounds on the crate, and rope B
exerts a force of 〈−20, 180, 160〉 pounds on the crate. If no further ropes are
added, find the net force on the crate and the direction it will move. If a third
rope 𝐶 is added to balance the crate, what force must this rope exert on the
crate? Find the tension (magnitude of force) in each rope.

𝐴⃑ = 〈10, −130, 200〉 , 𝐵

⃑⃑ = 〈−20, 180, 160〉, 𝑤
⃑⃑⃑ = 〈0, 0, −500〉
The net force on the crate is
𝐹⃑ = 𝐴⃑ + 𝐵
⃑⃑ + 𝑤
⃑⃑⃑ = 〈−10, 50, −140〉
and its direction is

𝐹⃑ 〈−10, 50, −140〉 〈−10, 50, −140〉 1 5 14

𝐹̂ = = = = 〈− , ,− 〉
‖𝐹⃑ ‖ √102 + 502 + 1402 10√222 √222 √222 √222

and 𝐶⃑ = 〈10, −50, 140〉.

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6. Find the angles in the quadrilateral 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 with vertices 𝐴(2, 0, 1), 𝐵(2, 1, 4), 𝐶(4, −2, 5) and 𝐷(4, 0, 2).

To get 𝜃1 , we need ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑

𝐴𝐵 = 〈0, 1, 3〉, ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐷 = 〈2, 0, 1〉

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐵 ∙ ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐷 0+0+3 3
cos 𝜃1 = = ⇒ 𝜃1 = cos−1 ( )
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ ‖𝐴𝐷
‖𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑‖ √10√5 √10√5

𝜃1 = 64. 89°

To get 𝜃2 , we need ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 〈2, 3, −1〉

𝐴𝐵 = 〈0, 1, 3〉, 𝐶𝐵

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐵 ∙ 𝐶𝐵⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ 0+3−3
cos 𝜃2 = = = 0 ⇒ 𝜃2 = 90°
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
‖𝐴𝐵 ‖ ‖𝐶𝐵 ‖ ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ √10√14

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 〈0, 2, −3〉, 𝐶𝐵

To get 𝜃3 , we need 𝐶𝐷 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = 〈2, 3, −1〉

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ∙ 𝐶𝐵
𝐶𝐷 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ 0+6+3 9
cos 𝜃3 = = ⇒ 𝜃3 = cos−1 ( ) ⇒ 𝜃3 = 48.15°
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ ‖𝐶𝐵
‖𝐶𝐷 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ √13√14 √13√14

To get 𝜃4 , we need ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑

𝐶𝐷 = 〈0, 2, −3〉, ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐷 = 〈2, 0, 1〉

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐶𝐷 ∙ ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐷 0+0−3 −3
cos 𝜃3 = = ⇒ 𝜃3 = cos −1 ( ) ⇒ 𝜃3 = 111.84°
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
‖𝐶𝐷‖ ‖𝐴𝐷‖ ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ √13√5 √13√5

Note that the sum of all angles is not equal to 360° . Due to the quadrilateral ABCD does not lie in the same
plane.

7. A weight of 500 pounds is supported by two ropes that exert forces of 𝑎 = 〈−100, 200〉 pounds and 𝑏⃑⃑ =
〈100, 300〉 pounds. Find the angles 𝛼, 𝛽 and 𝜃 between the ropes.

To get 𝜃, we need 𝑎⃑ = 〈−100, 200〉, 𝑏⃑⃑ = 〈100, 300〉

𝑎⃑ ∙ 𝑏⃑⃑ −10000 + 60000

cos 𝜃 = = ⇒
‖𝑎⃑‖ ‖𝑏⃑⃑‖ √50000√100000

50000
𝜃 = cos−1 ( ) = 45°
√50000√100000

To get 𝛼, we need −𝑎⃑ = 〈100, −200〉, 𝐢 = 〈1, 0〉

−𝑎⃑ ∙ 𝐢 100
cos 𝛼 = = ⇒ 𝛼 = 63.43°
‖−𝑎⃑‖ ‖𝐢‖ √50000

To get 𝛽, we need 𝑏⃑⃑ = 〈100, 300〉, 𝐢 = 〈1, 0〉

𝑏⃑⃑ ∙ 𝐢 100
cos 𝛽 = = ⇒ 𝛼 = 71.56°
⃑
⃑
‖𝑏‖ ‖𝐢‖ √100000

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8. Find the work done by a force 𝐹⃑ = 8 𝐢 − 6 𝐣 + 9 𝐤 that moves an object from the point (0, 10, 8) to the
point (6, 12, 20) along a straight line. Note: The distance is measured in meters and the force in Newton.

𝑑⃑ = ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐵 = 𝐵 ⃑⃑ − 𝐴⃑ = 6 𝐢 + 2 𝐣 + 12 𝐤, 𝐹⃑ = 8 𝐢 − 6 𝐣 + 9 𝐤,
𝑊 = 𝐹⃑ ∙ 𝑑⃑ = 48 − 12 + 108 = 144 J.

𝜋 𝜋
9. Find the unit vector of 𝑎⃑ makes angles 3 with 𝐢, 4 with 𝐣 and an acute angle with 𝐤.

Assume the unit vector 𝑎̂ = 〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 〉, then √𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 𝑎32 = 1 or 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 𝑎32 = 1.
𝜋
∵ 𝑎⃑ makes angles 3 with 𝐢
𝜋 1
∴ 𝑎̂ ∙ 𝐢 = ‖𝑎̂‖‖𝐢‖ cos 3 ⇒ 𝑎1 = 2 .
𝜋
∵ 𝑎⃑ makes angles 4 with 𝐣
𝜋 1
∴ 𝑎̂ ∙ 𝐣 = ‖𝑎̂‖‖𝐣‖ cos 4 ⇒ 𝑎2 = .
√2

∵ 𝑎⃑ makes an acute angle with 𝐤

∴ 𝑎̂ ∙ 𝐤 > 0 ⇒ 𝑎3 > 0 .
1 2 1 2 1 1
∵ 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 𝑎32 = 1 ⇒ (2) + ( ) + 𝑎32 = 1 ⇒ 𝑎32 = 4 ⇒ 𝑎3 = 2 .
√2
1 1 1
∴ 𝑎̂ = 〈2 , , 〉
√2 2

10. Find 𝜆 and 𝜇 if (2 𝐢 + 6 𝐣 + 27 𝐤) × (𝐢 + 𝜆 𝐣 + 𝜇 𝐤) = ⃑⃑

0
i j k
(2 𝐢 + 6 𝐣 + 27 𝐤) × (𝐢 + 𝜆 𝐣 + 𝜇 𝐤) = 2 6 ⃑⃑
27 = (6𝜇 − 27𝜆)𝐢 − (2𝜇 − 27) 𝐣 + (2𝜆 − 6) 𝐤 = 𝟎
1  
27
∴ 2𝜇 − 27 = 0 ⇒ 𝜇= and 2𝜆 − 6 = 0 ⇒ 𝜆 = 3
2

11. Find the area of the triangle with vertices 𝐴(0, 0, 0), 𝐵(0, 2, 1) and 𝐶(1, 3, 0).
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑂𝐵⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ − ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑂𝐴 = 〈0, 2, 1〉, ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐴𝐶 = 𝐶⃑ − 𝐴⃑ = 〈1, 3, 0〉
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ × 𝐴𝐶
𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = |0 2 1| = −3 𝐢 − 𝐣 − 2 𝐤
1 3 0
1
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ‖ = 1 √(9)2 + (1)2 + (4)2 = 1 √14.
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ × 𝐴𝐶
The area of the triangle = 2 ‖𝐴𝐵 2 2

12. Find the area of the parallelogram with vertices 𝐾(3, 3, 3), 𝐿(3, 6, 4), 𝑀(6, 12, 4), and 𝑁(6, 9, 3).
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐾𝐿 = 〈0, 3, 1〉, ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐾𝑀 = 〈3,9, 1〉
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ × 𝐴𝐶
𝐴𝐵 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ = |0 3 1 | = −6 𝐢 + 3 𝐣 − 9 𝐤
3 9 1

⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ × 𝐾𝑀
The area of the parallelogram = ‖𝐾𝐿 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑‖ = √(6)2 + (3)2 + (9)2 = 3√14.

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13. Find two unit vectors orthogonal to the two given vectors 𝑎⃑ = 〈2, −1, 0〉 and 𝑏⃑⃑ = 〈1, 0, 3〉 using (i) dot
product. (ii) cross product.

(i) dot product.

⃑⃑ = 〈𝑛1 , 𝑛2 , 𝑛3 〉
Assume the normal vector is 𝑁

⃑⃑ ∙ 𝑎⃑ = 0
𝑁 ⇒ 2𝑛1 − 𝑛2 = 0 ⇒ 𝑛2 = 2𝑛1

1
⃑⃑ ∙ 𝑏⃑⃑ = 0
𝑁 ⇒ 𝑛1 + 3𝑛3 = 0 ⇒ 𝑛3 = − 3 𝑛1

⃑⃑ = 〈𝑛1 , 𝑛2 , 𝑛3 〉 = 〈𝑛1 , 2𝑛2 , − 1 𝑛3 〉

𝑁 3

1
⃑⃑ = 〈1, 2, − 1〉, ‖𝑁
Assume 𝑛1 = 1, 𝑛2 = 2 and 𝑛3 = − 3, then 𝑁 ⃑⃑ ‖ = √1 + 4 + 1 = √46
3 9 3

The two unit normal are

1 1
〈1, 2, − 〉 〈1, 2, − 〉
̂1 =
𝑁 3 =3𝐢+6𝐣− 𝐤 , ̂2 = −
𝑁 3 = −3 𝐢 − 6 𝐣 + 𝐤
√46 √46 √46 √46
3 3

(ii) cross product.

𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
⃑⃑ = 𝑎⃑ × 𝑏⃑⃑ = |2 −1 0| = −3 𝐢 − 6 𝐣 + 𝐤
𝑁
1 0 3

The two unit normal are

−3 𝐢 − 6 𝐣 + 𝐤 3𝐢+6𝐣− 𝐤
̂1 =
𝑁 , ̂2 =
𝑁
√46 √46

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