Vectors - P1 - 12TH - EN - NOTES 1 1 280 141 210

Product of three or more vectors :
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Scalar) multiply (Vector) ⇒ Possible
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Scalar) dot (Vector) ⇒ Not Possible
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Scalar) cross (Vector) ⇒ Not Possible
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Vector) multiply (Vector) ⇒ Not Possible
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Vector) dot (Vector) Scalar triple Product ⇒ Possible
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ⇒(Vector) cross (Vector) Vector triple Product ⇒ Possible
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Scalar Triple Product :
If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are three vectors, then their scalar triple product (or box product) is defined
Ԧ 𝑏,
as the dot product of two vectors 𝑎Ԧ and (𝑏 × 𝑐) Ԧ i.e. 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ → Scalar 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ .
It is denoted by 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ → Box product
Similarly other scalar triple products can be defined as 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ (𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎)

Ԧ which is 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ
Ԧ
& 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ (𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏)
Note :
Scalar triple product always results in a scalar quantity.
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𝑌
Geometrical Interpretation of Scalar Triple Product 𝑎Ԧ
Absolute value of scalar triple product of three 𝑐Ԧ
vectors is equal to the volume of the
parallelepiped whose three coterminous edges 𝑋
𝑏Ԧ
are represented by the given vectors.
𝑍
Volume of parallelopiped = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
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Geometrical Interpretation of Scalar Triple Product
𝑛ො is the unit vector in the direction of 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑛ො
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ sin 𝜃 𝑛ො
= 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ sin 𝜃 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑛ො
= 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ sin 𝜃 𝑎Ԧ cos 𝛼
= (Area of base) × (Height)
= Volume of parallelepiped
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Formula of Scalar Triple Product :
ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑏1 𝑖ƶ + 𝑏2 𝑗ƶ + 𝑏3 𝑘ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐1 𝑖ƶ + 𝑐2 𝑗ƶ + 𝑐3 𝑘ƶ
If 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎1 𝑖ƶ + 𝑎2 𝑗ƶ + 𝑎3 𝑘,
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3
[𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐]
Ԧ = 𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3
𝑐1 𝑐2 𝑐3
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If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ be three non- zero vectors and
Ԧ 𝑏, 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ , then
A 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 0
B 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 0
C 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 0
D 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 0
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Solution:
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ cos 𝛼 = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
Ԧ and 𝑐)
(where 𝜃 is the angle between (𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏) Ԧ
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ sin 𝜃 cos 𝛼 = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
Ԧ
(where 𝜙 is the angle between 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏)
𝜋
⇒ sin 𝜃 ⋅ cos 𝛼 = 1 ⇒ sin 𝜃 = 1 and cos 𝛼 = 1 ⇒ 𝜃 = and 𝛼 = 0
2
≤1 ≤1
𝑎Ԧ ⊥𝑟 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 0, 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ → vector ⊥𝑟 to 𝑎Ԧ & 𝑏Ԧ
𝑐Ԧ is ⊥𝑟 to 𝑎Ԧ & 𝑏Ԧ ⇒ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 0 ⇒ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 0
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A 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 0
B 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 0
C 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 0
D 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 0
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If 𝑎Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ − 3𝑗,ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 3𝑖ƶ − 𝑘ƶ represent three coterminous
edges of a parallelopiped, then the volume of that parallelopiped is
A 2
B 4
C 6
D 10
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A 2
B 4
C 6
D 10
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Solution:
Volume = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
2 −3 0
= 1 1 −1
3 0 −1
= −2 + 3 × 2
=4
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𝑌
Result :
𝑎Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ sin 𝜃 cos 𝜙 𝜙
𝑐Ԧ
𝜃
𝜙 is the angle between 𝑎Ԧ & 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑋
𝑏Ԧ
𝑍
𝜃 is the angle between 𝑏Ԧ & 𝑐Ԧ
If 𝜃 = 90° and 𝜙 = 0°
Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ are mutually

then 𝑎,
perpendicular vectors.
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Let the volume of a parallelepiped whose coterminous edges are given
ƶ 𝑣Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ and 𝑤 = 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ be 1 cubic unit.
by 𝑢 = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝜆𝑘,
If 𝜃 be the angle between the edges 𝑢 and 𝑤, then cos 𝜃 can be :
JEE MAIN JAN 2020
7 7 5 5
A 3 10 B 6 3 C 3 3
D 7
Solution: 𝑢 𝑣Ԧ 𝑤 = 1 ⇒ 𝑢 𝑣Ԧ 𝑤 = ±1
1 1 𝜆 0 1 𝜆
± 1 1 3 = 1 𝐶1 → 𝐶1 − 𝐶2 ⇒ 0 1 3 = ±1
2 1 1 1 1 1
⇒ −𝜆 + 3 = ±1 ⇒ 𝜆 = 2 or 4
𝑢⋅𝑤 ƶ 𝑗+4
𝑖+ ƶ 𝑘ƶ ⋅ 2𝑖+
ƶ 𝑗+
ƶ 𝑘ƶ
For 𝜆 = 4, cos 𝜃 = =
|𝑢|⋅|𝑤| 12 +12 +4 2 22 +12 +12
2+1+4 7
= =
18 6 6 3
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If the volume of a parallelopiped, whose coterminous edges are given by
ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ − 𝑛𝑘ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑛𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ (𝑛 ≥ 0), is
the vectors 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑛𝑘,
158 cubic units, then :
JEE MAIN SEPT 2020
A 𝑛=7
B 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 10
C 𝑛=9
D 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 17
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JEE MAINS SEPT 2020
Solution:
A 𝑛=7
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 158
1 1 𝑛
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = ±158 ⇒ 2 4 −𝑛 = ±158 B 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 10
1 𝑛 3
⇒ 12 + 𝑛2 − 6 + 𝑛 + 𝑛 2𝑛 − 4 = ±158 C 𝑛=9
D 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 17
3𝑛2 − 5𝑛 − 152 = 0 3𝑛2 − 5𝑛 + 164 = 0
⇒ 3𝑛2 − 24𝑛 + 19𝑛 − 152 = 0 𝐷<0
⇒ 3𝑛 + 19 (𝑛 − 8) = 0
⇒ 𝑛 = 8 (∵ 𝑛 ≥ 0)
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JEE MAINS SEPT 2020
Solution: 𝑛=8
A 𝑛=7
∴ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 8𝑘ƶ , 𝑏Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 4𝑗ƶ − 8𝑘ƶ
and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 8𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ B 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 10
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 1 + 8 + 24 = 33 C 𝑛=9
𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 2 + 32 − 24 = 10 D 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 17
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JEE MAIN SEPT 2020
A 𝑛=7
B 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 10
C 𝑛=9
D 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 17
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Properties of Scalar Triple Product :
The position of (. ) and × can be interchanged i.e. 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
Value of scalar triple product remains unchanged if the same cyclic order
Ԧ b and 𝑐Ԧ is followed i.e. 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ
of 𝑎,
𝑎Ԧ
𝑏Ԧ → 𝑐Ԧ
Sign of the scalar triple product is reversed if the cyclic order of

vectors is changed.
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ (𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐)
Ԧ = −𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ or 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ cԦ = − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ
𝑏Ԧ = − 𝑐Ԧ
𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ
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Proof:
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = −𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ or 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ cԦ = − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖𝑖
From 𝑖 and 𝑖𝑖
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = − 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ
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The scalar triple product of three vectors when

two of them are equal or parallel, is zero.
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ = 0
The scalar triple product of three mutually

perpendicular unit vectors is ±1.
𝑖Ƹ ⋅ 𝑗Ƹ × 𝑘෠ = 𝑖Ƹ × 𝑖Ƹ = 1
𝑖Ƹ 𝑗Ƹ 𝑘෠ = 𝑗Ƹ 𝑘෠ 𝑖Ƹ = 𝑘෠ 𝑖Ƹ 𝑗Ƹ = 1
𝑖ƶ 𝑗ƶ 𝑘ƶ = 1 , 𝑖ƶ 𝑘ƶ 𝑗ƶ = −1
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𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are three coplanar vectors, the necessary
Ԧ 𝑏,
and sufficient condition for three non-zero
𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ
non-collinear vectors to be coplanar is 𝑏Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 0
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For any vectors 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐,

Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ ; 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ = 2 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
⇒ If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are coplanar then, 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏,

Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑎Ԧ are also coplanar.
Note :
Volume of parallelopiped with edges as face diagonals of parallelopiped

with coterminous edges 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ is twice its volume.
Ԧ 𝑏,
𝑎Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ is always zero.
Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ are coplanar.

⇒ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑏,
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ƶ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑏𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ and 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑐 𝑘ƶ 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏 ≠ 𝑐 ≠ 1 are coplanar,
If vectors 𝑎𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘,
1 1 1
then + + equals ______
1−𝑎 1−𝑏 1−𝑐
A 1
B 0
C −1
D None of these
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1 1 1
1−𝑎 1−𝑏 1−𝑐
Solution:
Since vectors are coplanar, ⇒ 𝑆. 𝑇. 𝑃. = 0
𝑎 1 1
∴ 1 𝑏 1 =0 𝐶2 → 𝐶2 − 𝐶1 , 𝐶3 → 𝐶3 − 𝐶1
1 1 𝑐
𝑎 1−𝑎 1−𝑎
⇒ 1 𝑏−1 0 =0
1 0 𝑐−1
⇒ 𝑎 𝑏 − 1 −1 − 1 − 𝑎 𝑐 − 1 + 1 − 𝑎 1 − 𝑏 = 0
⇒ 𝑎−1 +1 𝑏−1 𝑐−1 + 1−𝑎 1−𝑐 1−𝑏 = 0
⇒ 𝑎−1 𝑏−1 𝑐−1 + 1−𝑏 1−𝑐 + 1−𝑐 1−𝑎 + 1−𝑎 1−𝑏 = 0

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1 1 1
1−𝑎 1−𝑏 1−𝑐
Solution:
⇒ 𝑎−1 𝑏−1 𝑐−1 + 1−𝑏 1−𝑐 + 1−𝑐 1−𝑎 + 1−𝑎 1−𝑏 = 0
Divide the equation by 1 − 𝑎 1 − 𝑏 1 − 𝑐
1 1 1
−1 + + + =0
1−𝑎 1−𝑏 1−𝑐
1 1 1
+ + =1
1−𝑎 1−𝑏 1−𝑐
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ƶ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑏𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ and 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑐 𝑘ƶ 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏 ≠ 𝑐 ≠ 1 are
1 1 1
coplanar, then + + equals ______
1−𝑎 1−𝑏 1−𝑐
A 1
B 0
C −1
D None of these
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ƶ 𝑄 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘,
If 𝑃Ԧ = (𝑎 + 1)𝑖ƶ + 𝑎𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘, ƶ 𝑅 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + 𝑎𝑗ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑘ƶ
and 𝑃,
Ԧ 𝑄, 𝑅 are coplanar vectors and 3(𝑃Ԧ ⋅ 𝑄)2 − 𝜆|𝑅 × 𝑄|2 = 0 then
the value of 𝜆 is _____.

JEE MAIN JAN 2020
Solution:
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ƶ 𝑄 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘,
and 𝑃,

JEE MAIN JAN 2020
Solution: 𝑃Ԧ = (𝑎 + 1)𝑖ƶ + 𝑎𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘ƶ Ԧ 𝑄, 𝑅 are coplanar vectors
𝑃,
𝑄 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘ƶ 3(𝑃Ԧ ⋅ 𝑄)2 − 𝜆|𝑅 × 𝑄|2 = 0
𝑅 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + 𝑎𝑗ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑘ƶ 𝜆 =?
As 𝑃,
Ԧ 𝑄, 𝑅 are coplanar vectors, 𝑃Ԧ 𝑄 𝑅
𝑎+1 𝑎 𝑎
𝑎 𝑎+1 𝑎 =0 𝑅2 → 𝑅2 − 𝑅1 , 𝑅3 → 𝑅3 − 𝑅1
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎+1
𝑎+1 𝑎 𝑎
⇒ −1 1 0 =0 ⇒𝑎+1+𝑎+𝑎 =0
−1 0 1 1
Return to Top ⇒𝑎=−
3
ƶ 𝑄 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘,
and 𝑃,

JEE MAIN JAN 2020
𝑃,

1
𝑅 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + 𝑎𝑗ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑘ƶ 𝜆 =? ⇒𝑎=−
3
2 1 1 1 2 1
ƶ
𝑃Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘, ƶ 𝑅 = − 1 𝑖ƶ − 1 𝑗ƶ + 2 𝑘ƶ
𝑄 = − 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘,
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
1 1
𝑃Ԧ ⋅ 𝑄 = (−2 − 2 + 1) = −
9 3
1
𝑖ƶ 𝑗ƶ 𝑘ƶ 1
𝑅×𝑄 = −1 2 −1 = 3𝑖Ƹ + 3𝑗Ƹ + 3𝑘෠
9 9
−1 −1 2
1 ƶ ƶ
𝑖+𝑗+𝑘 ƶ
= 3𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ =
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ƶ 𝑄 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘,
and 𝑃,

JEE MAIN JAN 2020
𝑃,

1
𝑅 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + 𝑎𝑗ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑘ƶ 𝜆 =? ⇒𝑎=−
3
2 1 1 1 2 1
ƶ
𝑃Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘, ƶ 𝑅 = − 1 𝑖ƶ − 1 𝑗ƶ + 2 𝑘ƶ
𝑄 = − 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘,
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
1 3 1
𝑃Ԧ ⋅ 𝑄 = − , 𝑅×𝑄 = 3
=
3
3
2
3 𝑃Ԧ 𝑄 − 𝜆 𝑅 × 𝑄෠ =0
1 1
3× −𝜆× =0 ⇒1−𝜆 =0⇒ 𝜆 =1
9 3
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Session 06
Vector Triple Product
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Properties of Scalar Triple product:
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3 𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3
•
2
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3 𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3
𝑐1 𝑐2 𝑐3 𝑐1 𝑐2 𝑐3
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3 𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1
2
⇒ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3 𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2
𝑐1 𝑐2 𝑐3 𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3
2 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
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The edges of a parallelopiped are of unit length and are parallel to
non-coplanar unit vectors 𝑎, ෠ 𝑐,Ƹ such that 𝑎ො ⋅ 𝑏෠ = 𝑏෠ ⋅ 𝑐Ƹ = 𝑐ƶ ⋅ 𝑎ො = 1 .
ො 𝑏,
2
Then the volume of parallelopiped is _________.
IIT JEE 2008
Solution: 1
1 1
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 2 2 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
2 1 1
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 2
1
2 𝑎ො ⋅ 𝑎ො = 1
𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 1 1
1
2 2
2 3 1 1 1 1
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = − + −
4 2 4 2 4
2 1
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ =
2
1
Volume =
2
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𝑝Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑞Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3 𝑖Ƹ 𝑝1 𝑞1
• 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑝Ԧ × 𝑞Ԧ = 𝑝Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑞Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑏1
𝑐1
𝑏2
𝑐2
𝑏3 × 𝑗Ƹ
𝑐3 𝑘෠
𝑝2
𝑝3
𝑞2
𝑞3
𝑝Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑞Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑚 𝑗Ƹ
𝑙Ԧ 𝑖Ƹ
𝑛 𝑘෠
𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎1 𝑙Ԧ + 𝑎2 𝑚 + 𝑎3 𝑛 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎1 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑎2 𝑗Ƹ + 𝑎3 𝑘෠
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If 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎1 𝑙መ + 𝑎2 𝑚 ො 𝑏 = 𝑏1 𝑙መ + 𝑏2 𝑚
ෝ + 𝑎3 𝑛, ෝ + 𝑏3 𝑛ො and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑐1 𝑙መ + 𝑐2 𝑚 ො then
ෝ + 𝑐3 𝑛,
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3
𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3 𝑙መ 𝑚
ෝ 𝑛ො
𝑐1 𝑐2 𝑐3
ෝ 𝑛ො are three mutually perpendicular triad of axes.

𝑙,መ 𝑚,
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Let 𝑐Ԧ be a vector perpendicular to the vectors 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ and 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝑘.
ƶ
If 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ = 8, then the value of 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ is equal to _________.
Solution:
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Let 𝑐Ԧ be a vector perpendicular to the vectors 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ and 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 𝑘.
ƶ
If 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ = 8, then the value of 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ is equal to _________.
Solution:
𝑐Ԧ = 𝜆 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
𝑖ƶ 𝑗ƶ 𝑘ƶ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 1 1 −1 = 3𝑖ƶ − 2𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ
1 2 1
𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ = 𝜆 3𝑖ƶ − 2𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ
⇒𝜆 4 =8
⇒𝜆=2
⇒ 𝑐Ԧ = 2 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
2
𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 2 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ = 28
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If 𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼𝑖ƶ + 𝛽𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘,
ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = −𝛽𝑖ƶ − 𝛼𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 2𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ such that 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 1 and
1
𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = −3, then 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ is equal to _________.
3
Solution:
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1
3
Solution:
𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼𝑖ƶ + 𝛽𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 1

1
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = ?
3
𝑏Ԧ = −𝛽𝑖ƶ − 𝛼𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = −3
𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ − 2𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 1
⇒ −𝛼𝛽 − 𝛼𝛽 − 3 = 1
⇒ 𝛼𝛽 = −2 ⋯ 𝑖
𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = −3
⇒ −𝛽 + 2𝛼 + 1 = −3 ⋯ 𝑖𝑖
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1
3
Solution:
𝛼𝛽 = −2 ⋯ 𝑖 −𝛽 + 2𝛼 + 1 = −3 ⋯ 𝑖𝑖
Solving 𝑖 & 𝑖𝑖 ,
𝛼, 𝛽 = −1, 2
𝛼 𝛽 3
1 1
3 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 3 −𝛽 −𝛼 −1
1 −2 −1
−1 2 3
1
= −2 1 −1
3
1 −2 −1
1 1
3 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 3 × 6 = 2
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Volume Of Tetrahedron: 𝑂 0
If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are position vectors of vertices 𝐴, 𝐵 and
Ԧ 𝑏,
𝐶 with respect to 𝑂, then volume of tetrahedron 𝑛
𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶 represented by 𝑉 is given by
1
𝑉 = Base Area × Height
3
1 𝑛 𝐴 𝑎Ԧ
Base Area = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝐵 𝑏Ԧ
2 2
Let 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑛 𝐶 𝑐Ԧ
Height = Projection of 𝑎Ԧ on 𝑛 = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑛ො
𝑎 ⋅ 𝑎×𝑏 + 𝑏×𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐×𝑎

Ԧ
=
|𝑛|
𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏×𝑐Ԧ 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
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= =
|𝑛| 𝑛
Volume Of Tetrahedron: 𝑂 0
1
𝑉 = Base Area × Height 𝑛
3
𝑛 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
Base Area = Hight =
2 𝑛
1 1 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐Ԧ
∴ 𝑉 = ⋅ |𝑛|
3 2 |𝑛|
𝐴 𝑎Ԧ
1 𝐵 𝑏Ԧ
⇒𝑉= 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
6
𝐶 𝑐Ԧ
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Note: 𝑂 0
If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ are position vectors of vertices

Ԧ 𝑐,
Ԧ 𝑏, 𝑛
𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷 of a tetrahedron 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷, then:
1
It’s volume = 𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐷
6
𝐴 𝑎Ԧ
1
= 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 𝐵 𝑏Ԧ
6
𝐶 𝑐Ԧ
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If the vertices of any tetrahedron be 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘,
ƶ 𝑏Ԧ = 3𝑖ƶ + 𝑘,
ƶ 𝑐Ԧ = 4𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 6𝑘ƶ
and 𝑑Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ then find its volume.
Solution: 𝐴 𝑎Ԧ
𝐵 𝑏Ԧ
𝐷 𝑑Ԧ
𝐶 𝑐Ԧ
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Solution:
𝐴 𝑎Ԧ
Let the position vectors of the vertices
𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷 with respect to 𝑂 are 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
Ԧ 𝑏,
and 𝑑Ԧ respectively then
𝐴𝐵 = 3𝑖ƶ − 𝑗ƶ − 𝑘ƶ
𝐵 𝑏Ԧ
𝐴𝐶 = 4𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ + 4𝑘ƶ & 𝐷 𝑑Ԧ
𝐴𝐷 = 2𝑖ƶ + 2𝑗ƶ 𝐶 𝑐Ԧ
1
Volume of tetrahedron = 𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐷
6
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Solution:
𝐴 𝑎Ԧ
1
Volume of tetrahedron = 𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐷
6
3 −1 −1
1
= 4 2 4
6
2 2 0
𝐵 𝑏Ԧ
= −6 𝐷 𝑑Ԧ
∴ Required volume = 6 units 𝐶 𝑐Ԧ
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Vector Triple Product:
𝑐Ԧ
The vector triple product of three vectors 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
Ԧ 𝑏,
is defined as the vector product of two vectors
𝑎Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ and (𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐).
Ԧ It is denoted by 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ . 𝑏Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ is a vector which is coplanar with 𝑎Ԧ
and 𝑏Ԧ and perpendicular to 𝑐.
Ԧ
Hence 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑦𝑏Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖
(linear combination of 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏)

Ԧ
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𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑦𝑏Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖
Taking dot with 𝑐Ԧ
𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑦 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
⇒ 0 = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ + 𝑦(𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐)
Ԧ
⇒ 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = −𝑦(𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐)
Ԧ
𝑥 − 𝑏⋅𝑐Ԧ
⇒ = =𝜆
𝑦 𝑎⋅𝑐Ԧ
∴ 𝑥 = 𝜆 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑦 = −𝜆 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
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𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑦𝑏Ԧ ⋯ 𝑖
∴ 𝑥 = 𝜆 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑦 = −𝜆 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ Substituting the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 in 𝑖
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝜆 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝜆 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ This is an identity
Put 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ and 𝑏Ԧ = 𝑗ƶ
𝑖ƶ × 𝑗ƶ × 𝑖ƶ = 𝜆 𝑗ƶ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ 𝑖ƶ − 𝜆 𝑖ƶ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ 𝑗ƶ
𝑗ƶ = −𝜆𝑗ƶ
⇒ 𝜆 = −1
Hence 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ
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Properties of Vector Triple Product:
• 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ
2 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
• [𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎]
Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑢 × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ
𝑢
0
= 𝑢 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑐Ԧ 𝑢 ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ
= 𝑢 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ
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Properties of Vector Triple Product:
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑢 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ
= 𝑢 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
= 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
2
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ
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Note:
If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are non coplanar vectors then 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏,

Ԧ 𝑏, Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ
will also be non coplanar vectors.
Vector triple product is a vector quantity.
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ≠ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ (Does not follow commutative law)
𝑎×𝑏 ×𝑐Ԧ
Unit vector coplanar with 𝑎Ԧ & 𝑏Ԧ and perpendicular to 𝑐Ԧ is ±
Ԧ
| 𝑎×𝑏 ×𝑐|
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ƶ equals ________.
𝑖ƶ × 𝑗ƶ × 𝑘ƶ + 𝑗ƶ × 𝑘ƶ × 𝑖ƶ + 𝑘ƶ × (𝑖ƶ × 𝑗)
A 𝑖ƶ
B 𝑗ƶ
C 𝑘ƶ
D 0
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ƶ equals ________.
A 𝑖ƶ
B 𝑗ƶ
C 𝑘ƶ
D 0
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ƶ equals ________.
Solution:
𝑖ƶ × 𝑗ƶ × 𝑘ƶ + 𝑗ƶ × 𝑘ƶ × 𝑖ƶ + 𝑘ƶ × 𝑖ƶ × 𝑗ƶ
⇒ 𝑖ƶ × 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ × 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ × 𝑘ƶ
=0+0+0
=0
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2 2 2
If 𝑎Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘,
ƶ then the value of 𝑖ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑘ƶ
is equal to _________.
JEE MAINS SEPT 2020
Solution:
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2 2 2
If 𝑎Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘,
ƶ then the value of 𝑖ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑘ƶ
is equal to _________.
JEE MAINS SEPT 2020
Solution:
Let 𝑎Ԧ = 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑦𝑗ƶ + 𝑧𝑘ƶ
Now 𝑖ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑖ƶ = 𝑖ƶ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑖ƶ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑖ƶ = 𝑦𝑗ƶ + 𝑧𝑘ƶ
Similarly,
ƶ = 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑧𝑘ƶ
𝑗ƶ × (𝑎Ԧ × 𝑗)
𝑘ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑘ƶ = 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑦𝑗ƶ
2 2 2
Now 𝑦𝑗ƶ + 𝑧𝑘ƶ + 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑧𝑘ƶ + 𝑥 𝑖ƶ + 𝑦𝑗ƶ
= 2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
= 2 4 + 1 + 4 = 18
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Session 07
Product of four vectors
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Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ be such that 𝑐Ԧ is coplanar with
Let three vectors 𝑎,
Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 7 and 𝑏Ԧ is perpendicular to 𝑐,
𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏, Ԧ where 𝑎Ԧ = −𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ and
𝑏Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘,
ƶ then the value of 2|𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐|
Ԧ 2 is
JEE Main Feb 2021
Solution:
𝑐Ԧ ∥ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
⇒ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝜆 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
⇒ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝜆 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ = 𝜆 5𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ
⇒ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝜆 −3𝑖ƶ + 5𝑗ƶ + 6𝑘ƶ Taking dot with 𝑎Ԧ
𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ = 7
1
⇒𝜆 3+5+6 =7⇒ 𝜆 =
2
1
⇒ 𝑐Ԧ = −3𝑖ƶ + 5𝑗ƶ + 6𝑘ƶ
2
2 3 5 2
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∴ 2 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ = 2 − 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘෠ + 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘෠ + −𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘෠
2 2
Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ be such that 𝑐Ԧ is coplanar with
Let three vectors 𝑎,
Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 7 and 𝑏Ԧ is perpendicular to 𝑐,
𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏, Ԧ where 𝑎Ԧ = −𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ and
𝑏Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘,
ƶ then the value of 2|𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐|
Ԧ 2 is
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Solution:
2 3 5 2
∴ 2 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏Ԧ + 𝑐Ԧ = 2 − 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘෠ + 2𝑖ƶ + 𝑘෠ + −𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 𝑘෠
2 2
1 7 2
= 2 − 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 5𝑘෠
2 2
1 49
=2 + + 25
4 4
25
=2 + 25
2
= 25 + 50
= 75
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If 𝑎Ԧ & 𝑏Ԧ are perpendicular vectors, then 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ is equal to:
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1
A 𝑎Ԧ 4 𝑏Ԧ
2
B 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
C 𝑎Ԧ 4 𝑏Ԧ
D 0
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Solution:
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
= 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 2 𝑏Ԧ
= 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ
= − 𝑎Ԧ 2
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ∵ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 0
= − 𝑎Ԧ 2
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ 2 𝑏Ԧ
= − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ 2
+ 𝑎Ԧ 4 𝑏Ԧ
= 𝑎Ԧ 4 𝑏Ԧ
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C 𝑎Ԧ 4 𝑏Ԧ
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𝜋
Let 𝑎Ԧ = 3, 𝑏Ԧ = 5, 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 10 angle between 𝑏Ԧ & 𝑐Ԧ equal to . If 𝑎Ԧ is
3
perpendicular to 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ then the find the value of 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ .
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Solution:
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𝜋
Let 𝑎Ԧ = 3, 𝑏Ԧ = 5, 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 10 angle between 𝑏Ԧ & 𝑐Ԧ equal to . If 𝑎Ԧ is
3
perpendicular to 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ then the find the value of 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ .
JEE Main Jan 2020
Solution:
𝜋
𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ cos = 10
3
1
⇒ 5 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ = 10
2
⇒ 𝑐Ԧ = 4
𝜋
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ sin
2
𝜋
= 𝑎Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ sin
3
3
= 3×5×4×
2
= 30
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3
ො 𝑏෠ and 𝑐Ƹ be three unit vectors such that 𝑎ො × 𝑏෠ × 𝑐Ƹ =
Let 𝑎, (𝑏෠ + 𝑐).
Ƹ
2
If 𝑏෠ is not parallel to 𝑐Ƹ then the angle between 𝑎ො and 𝑏෠ is ___.
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5𝜋
A
6
3𝜋
B
4
𝜋
C
2
2𝜋
D 3
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3
Let 𝑎, (𝑏෠ + 𝑐).
Ƹ
2
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Solution:
3
𝑎ො × 𝑏෠ × 𝑐Ƹ = (𝑏෠ + 𝑐)Ƹ
2
3
⇒ 𝑎ො ⋅ 𝑐Ƹ 𝑏෠ − 𝑎ො ⋅ 𝑏෠ 𝑐Ƹ = (𝑏෠ + 𝑐)Ƹ
2
3 3
𝑎ො ⋅ 𝑐Ƹ − 𝑏෠ − 𝑎ො ⋅ 𝑏෠ + 𝑐Ƹ = 0
2 2
3
⇒ 𝑎ො ⋅ 𝑏෠ = −
2
3
⇒ cos 𝜃 = −
2
5𝜋
⇒𝜃=
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3
Let 𝑎, (𝑏෠ + 𝑐).
Ƹ
2
JEE Main 2016
5𝜋
A
6
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Scalar Product of Four Vectors:
Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑
𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ
Proof:
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑢 ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑢 × 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ
= 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ − 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ
Ԧ
= 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑
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Scalar Product of Four Vectors:
Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ × 𝑑Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑑
Ԧ ⋅ (𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏)
(𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏) Ԧ 2 = 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ
Ԧ = |𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏| 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ
2
= 𝑎Ԧ 2
𝑏Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ
2
= 𝑎Ԧ 2
𝑏Ԧ Ԧ 2
− (𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏) Lagrange’s identity
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Vectors - P1 - 12TH - EN - NOTES 1 1 280 141 210

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Vectors - P1 - 12TH - EN - NOTES 1 1 280 141 210

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Product of three or more vectors :

𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Scalar) multiply (Vector) ⇒ Possible

𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Scalar) dot (Vector) ⇒ Not Possible

𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Scalar) cross (Vector) ⇒ Not Possible

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Vector) multiply (Vector) ⇒ Not Possible

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ ⇒ (Vector) dot (Vector) Scalar triple Product ⇒ Possible

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ⇒(Vector) cross (Vector) Vector triple Product ⇒ Possible

Similarly other scalar triple products can be defined as 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ (𝑐Ԧ × 𝑎)

Scalar triple product always results in a scalar quantity.

𝑛ො is the unit vector in the direction of 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ 𝑛ො

= (Area of base) × (Height)

Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ are mutually

⇒ 3𝑛2 − 24𝑛 + 19𝑛 − 152 = 0 𝐷<0

and 𝑐Ԧ = 𝑖ƶ + 8𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ B 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ = 10

Sign of the scalar triple product is reversed if the cyclic order of

The scalar triple product of three vectors when

The scalar triple product of three mutually

For any vectors 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐,

⇒ If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are coplanar then, 𝑎Ԧ + 𝑏,

Volume of parallelopiped with edges as face diagonals of parallelopiped

Ԧ 𝑏Ԧ − 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑐Ԧ − 𝑎Ԧ are coplanar.

Since vectors are coplanar, ⇒ 𝑆. 𝑇. 𝑃. = 0

⇒ 𝑎−1 +1 𝑏−1 𝑐−1 + 1−𝑎 1−𝑐 1−𝑏 = 0

⇒ 𝑎−1 𝑏−1 𝑐−1 + 1−𝑏 1−𝑐 + 1−𝑐 1−𝑎 + 1−𝑎 1−𝑏 = 0

⇒ 𝑎−1 𝑏−1 𝑐−1 + 1−𝑏 1−𝑐 + 1−𝑐 1−𝑎 + 1−𝑎 1−𝑏 = 0

Divide the equation by 1 − 𝑎 1 − 𝑏 1 − 𝑐

the value of 𝜆 is _____.

the value of 𝜆 is _____.

𝑄 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘ƶ 3(𝑃Ԧ ⋅ 𝑄)2 − 𝜆|𝑅 × 𝑄|2 = 0

𝑅 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + 𝑎𝑗ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑘ƶ 𝜆 =?

the value of 𝜆 is _____.

𝑄 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘ƶ 3(𝑃Ԧ ⋅ 𝑄)2 − 𝜆|𝑅 × 𝑄|2 = 0

the value of 𝜆 is _____.

𝑄 = 𝑎𝑖ƶ + (𝑎 + 1)𝑗ƶ + 𝑎𝑘ƶ 3(𝑃Ԧ ⋅ 𝑄)2 − 𝜆|𝑅 × 𝑄|2 = 0

ෝ 𝑛ො are three mutually perpendicular triad of axes.

If 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ = 8, then the value of 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ is equal to _________.

If 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ = 8, then the value of 𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ is equal to _________.

𝑐Ԧ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ = 𝜆 3𝑖ƶ − 2𝑗ƶ + 𝑘ƶ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ + 𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ

𝑎Ԧ = 𝛼𝑖ƶ + 𝛽𝑗ƶ + 3𝑘ƶ 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑏Ԧ = 1

𝑎 ⋅ 𝑎×𝑏 + 𝑏×𝑐Ԧ + 𝑐×𝑎

If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑑Ԧ are position vectors of vertices

and 𝑑Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ then find its volume.

and 𝑑Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ then find its volume.

and 𝑑Ԧ = 2𝑖ƶ + 3𝑗ƶ + 2𝑘ƶ then find its volume.

∴ Required volume = 6 units 𝐶 𝑐Ԧ

(linear combination of 𝑎Ԧ and 𝑏)

Taking dot with 𝑐Ԧ

∴ 𝑥 = 𝜆 𝑏Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ and 𝑦 = −𝜆 𝑎Ԧ ⋅ 𝑐Ԧ Substituting the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 in 𝑖

If 𝑎, Ԧ 𝑐Ԧ are non coplanar vectors then 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏,

Vector triple product is a vector quantity.

𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ ≠ 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑏Ԧ × 𝑐Ԧ (Does not follow commutative law)

Now 𝑖ƶ × 𝑎Ԧ × 𝑖ƶ = 𝑖ƶ ⋅ 𝑖ƶ 𝑎Ԧ − 𝑖ƶ ⋅ 𝑎Ԧ 𝑖ƶ = 𝑦𝑗ƶ + 𝑧𝑘ƶ

⇒ 𝑐Ԧ = 𝜆 −3𝑖ƶ + 5𝑗ƶ + 6𝑘ƶ Taking dot with 𝑎Ԧ

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