Concept of vectors for IIT JEE!

Willard Gibbs was basically a mathematical physicist whose contribution in statistical

mechanics paved the way for physical
chemistry as a science. Einstein regarded
Gibbs as the greatest mind in American
history. Gibbs is also popularly known as the
father of vector analysis or the proper study
of vectors in math. The topic of vectors is an
extremely important topic of IIT JEE
Mathematics syllabus. The topic is not very
tough and can be easily mastered with a bit of
practice. Here, we shall discuss vectors in detail and throw some light on various
interesting facts including its sub-topics. Besides, we shall also illustrate some
important tips to master the topic in addition to its practical applications in real life.

Various sub-topics of vectors include:
Introduction to vectors
Basic Vector Operations
Non-Coplanar Vectors
Resolution of a Vector
Dot Product
Cross Product
Scalar Triple Product
Vector Triple Product
Geometrical Interpretations

Those willing to study these topics in detail are advised to refer the study material
section of vectors.



Vectors
All measurable quantities are termed as physical
quantities and the physical quantities can be
categorized as: The quantities which can be described
only by specifying their magnitude are termed as
scalars. Some common examples include: mass, work,
distance, speed etc. Those physical quantities that
require both magnitude and direction to describe them
completely are called as vectors. Some examples of
vector quantities include velocity, displacement,
acceleration, momentum and force. A vector can hence be assumed to be a directed
line segment which has a certain magnitude and points in a certain direction.

Some Interesting Results and Formulae
The magnitude of a vector is a scalar and scalars are denoted by normal letters.
Vertical bars enclosing a boldface letter denote the magnitude of a vector. Since
the magnitude is a scalar, it can also be denoted by a normal letter, |w| = w denotes
the magnitude of a vector.
The vectors are denoted by either drawing an arrow above the letters or by
boldfaced letters.
Vectors can be multiplied by a scalar and the result is again a vector.
A vector divided by its magnitude is a unit vector, i.e. =
Two vectors and are said to be equal if they have the same magnitude and the
same direction.
Suppose c is a scalar and = (a, b) is a vector, then the scalar multiplication is
defined by c = c (a,b)= (ca, cb). Hence each component of a vector is multiplied
by the scalar.
If two vectors are of the same dimension then they can be added or subtracted
from each other. The result is again a vector. In such a case, the sum of these
vectors is defined by + = (a + e, b + f), where = (a, b) and = (e, f).

We can also subtract two vectors of the same direction. The result is again a
vector. As in the previous case subtracting vector from yields - = (a -
e, b f). The difference of these vectors is actually the vector - = +(-1)
Dot Product of Two Vectors a and b where a = [a1, a2, ..., an] and b = [b1, b2, ..., bn] is
given by a1b1 + a2b2 + ..., + anbn .
Some basic rules
If , and are three vectors and a, b are scalars then the following results hold
true:
Commutative law of addition: + = +
Existence of additive inverse: +(- ) =
+ =
a(b ) = (ab)
(a+b) = a + b
a( + ) = a + a
1. =
Associative law of addition: +( + ) = ( + )+
Triangle Law of Vector Addition:
Given two vectors and , their sum or resultant written as ( + ) is also a
vector obtained by first bringing the initial point of b to the terminal point of a and
then joining the initial point of a to the terminal point of b giving a uniform direction
by completing the triangle OAB.



Parallelogram Law of Vector Addition
If two adjacent sides of a parallelogram are represented by two vectors, then the
diagonal of the parallelogram is represented by the resultant of both the vectors.


Section Formula
If there is a line segment AB with coordinates A(x1, y1) and B (x2, y2) and P is a point
that divides it in the ratio m:n, then by Section Formula we have ((m1x2 + m2x1)/(m1 +
m2), (m1y2 + m2y1)/(m1 + m2))


What is the importance of this topic for an IIT JEE aspirant?
Vectors occupy an extremely important place in IIT JEE preparation. It accounts for
5% of the JEE screening. For majority of students, vector is the most interesting

topic encountered by them in JEE Mathematics. The best part is that it also fetches
good number of questions in JEE.
What are the Best Books for the Preparation of Vectors?
Students are advised not to miss the NCERTs as they help in laying good foundation.
Besides NCERTS, several other books which are considered to be excellent for JEE
preparations, especially for vectors include:
Arihant Publication
R.D.Sharma
IIT Maths by M.L. Khanna
These books not only explain the concepts in detail but also contain various solved and
unsolved examples. Various JEE level questions are also included in them. Arihant
Calculus is excellent in every respect except that students need to select the
problems carefully as the ones designed for Olympiads are not very useful for JEE
aspirants. R.D.Sharma offers plenty of solved examples which help in clearing the
concepts of students.
Illustrations
Illustration 1:
If =( + + ), . = 1 and x = - , then is (IIT JEE 2003)
A. - + C.
B. - D. 2
Solution: We know that x ( x ) = ( . ) ( . )
Hence, ( + + ) x ( - )= ( + + ) (3)
2

This gives, -2 + + = + + 3
Hence, 3 = 3
And this yields =


Illustration 2:
If the vector = + + , the vector = + + and = + + are
linearly dependent vectors and | | = 3 then,
A. = 1, = -1 B. = 1, = 1
C. = -1, = 1 D. = 1, = 1
Solution: Since , and are given to be linearly dependent vectors, so this also
implies that the vectors are coplanar.
So, . ( x ) = 0
Solving this with the help of determinants, and applying the column operation
C3 C1, we get,(-1) (3-4) = 0.This gives = 1.Also, | | = 3
1+
2
+
2
= 3, 1+
2
+1 = 3

2
+ 2 = 3,
2
+ 2 = 3 so = 1.
Some Interesting Facts
Vectors which are in the same direction can be added by simply adding their
magnitudes, while to add two vectors pointing in opposite directions their
magnitudes are subtracted and not added.
Column vectors can be added by simply adding the values in each row.
You can find the magnitude of a vector in three dimensions by using the
formula a
2
=b
2
+c
2
+d
2
, where a is the magnitude of the vector, and b, c, and d are the
components in each direction.
If l1 + m1 = l2 + m2 then l1 = l2 and m1 = m2
Cross product of vectors is not commutative.
Collinear Vectors are also parallel vectors except that they lie on the same line.
Three vectors are linearly dependent if they are coplanar which implies that any
one of them can be represented as a linear combination of other two.
The dot product of two parallel vectors is 1 and their cross product is 0.

Two collinear vectors are always linearly dependent but two non-collinear non-zero
vectors are always linearly independent.
Three coplanar vectors are always linearly dependent.
Three non-coplanar non-zero vectors are always linearly independent.
More than 3 vectors are always linearly dependent.
Minimum number of coplanar vectors for zero resultant is 2(for equal magnitude)
and 3 (for unequal magnitude).
DCs of a vector are unique and satisfy the relation l
2
+ m
2
+ n
2
= 1, where l, m and n
are the three DCs.
DRs are proportional to DCs and are not unique.
Tips to Master Vectors for IIT JEE
Vector is a simple topic but it demands conceptual clarity and
consistent practice. Due to lack of conceptual clarity, students
often end up committing silly mistakes which results in loss of
some easy scores. Listed below are some of the tips which can help you fetch perfect
scores in this simple topic:
Consulting too many books can lead to confusion and hence students must refer
just one or two books after they are done with the NCERTs.
Vectors are more of a geometrical concept rather than algebraic. Hence, when we
talk of (say) addition of two vectors, rather than assuming it to be simple addition
students are advised to visualize the concepts.
Vectors are free entities and hence one can move around a vector in the plane and
it will remain the same vector as long as its direction and magnitude are preserved.
Consistent practice is a must to excel in this topic.
Various results and formulae should be on fingertips.
While attempting a question on vectors, students are advised to visualize the
concept and draw a diagram for the same so that chances of committing mistakes
are minimized.

The concepts of dot product and cross product including their nature must be very
clear.
Suppose we have three non-zero vectors , & , then if their scalar triple
product is zero, then the three vectors are coplanar.
Practice sufficient number of previous year papers to get acquainted with the kind
of questions asked in exam.
Do not read the questions; try to depict them by figures to reach at the solution
easily.
Practical Applications of Vectors for IIT JEE
Vector is a comparatively new topic in the history of
mathematics but it has gained immense popularity in this short
span of time. It has wide range of applications in solving
geometric problems especially in the area of computer graphics. Some of the practical
applications include:
The concepts of vector dot and cross products are used to estimate the capability
of solar panels to produce the electrical power.
The concept of unit vectors is used in determining the directions like eats, north
etc. Whenever and wherever direction is to be determined in real life, unit vectors
play a vital role.
Flying planes are based on the concept of vector mathematics. The motion of the
plane is along the vector sum of wind and propeller velocity.
Driving and sailing also use the vector principles, although we dont really realize it.
If one needs to cross a flowing river, the concept of vectors is used in order to
determine the point where he will land on the side.
A bicycler tilts his umbrella forward while riding on a bicycle because the relative
velocity of the rain is slant and hits his face. The more the speed of the cycle, the
more he should tilt forward.
Controlling and tracing the movement of cars, ships and planes moving in space
involve the use of unit vectors.

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