MATHEMATICS II

VECTORS
MUHAMMAD ASIM ALI
MPHIL MATHEMATICS
LECTURER
PUNJAB GROUP OF COLLGES, LAHORE

2018

MASIMALI99@GMAIL.COM
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VECTORS
Physical Quantity Description
Scalar Quantity The physical quantities, which have magnitude, only are
/Scalar called scalars.
Distance, speed, mass, length, time, volume,
temperature and energy
Vector The physical quantities that have magnitude and
Quantity/Vector direction are called vectors.
Displacement,
velocity, acceleration, weight, force, momentum,
electric and magnetic fields

Geometrical Interpretation of Vector

(a) Geometrically, a vector is represented by a directed line segment AB with A as its
initial point and B as its terminal point.
(b) Usually a vector is denoted by an arrow written as AB .
(c) A vector can also be represented by a bold face symbol like v or in underline form
as v .
Some Important Terms Related To Vectors
Magnitude/Length/Norm The magnitude/length/norm of a vector AB or
v ,is its absolute value and is denoted as AB
or AB or v .

Types of Vectors

Name Definition Representation

Zero Vector/Null A vector whose initial and terminal A zero vector is represented by o .
Vector points coincide.
Proper Vector A non zero vector is called proper a is proper vector iff a  0 .
vector.
Unit Vector A vector whose magnitude is 1 is A unit vector in the direction of a is
called unit vector.
a
denoted by â and is given as aˆ = .
a

Fundamental The unit vectors along x-, y- and z- i = 1,0,0 , j = 0,1,0 & k = 0,0,1
unit vectors axes are called fundamental unit
are unit vectors along x-, y- and z-axes
vectors.
respectively.
Co-Initial Two (more than two) vectors are AC , AB , AD are co-initial vectors.
Vectors called co-initial if they have the same
initial point.
Negative of A The vector which has the same The negative of a is denoted by − a .
Vector magnitude as the vector a but has the
direction opposite to that of a .
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Position Vector The vector, whose initial point O is the origin and whose
terminal point is P , is called position vector of OP .
Co-Planar Vectors Two or more vectors are called co-planar if either they lie in
the same plane or parallel to the same plane.

Equal Vectors Two vectors are said to be equal if they have,

Collinear or Parallel Vectors
Free Vector
(i).The same length
(ii).Same or parallel support
(iii).The same sense
Two or more vectors are said to be collinear if they have
either the same or parallel supports.
A vector, in which the initial point is not specified i.e. there is
no restriction to choose its origin, is called a free vector.

Addition of Vectors
Addition of vectors can be explained by the following laws;
Triangle Law of Vectors If two vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by
the two sides of a triangle, taken in order then their sum
(resultant) is represented in magnitude and direction by the
third side of the triangle taken in opposite order.
Parallelogram Law of Vectors If two vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by
two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then their sum
(resultant) is represented in magnitude and direction by the
diagonal of the parallelogram with initial point of intersection
of the two sides.
Polygon Law of Vectors If a finite number of vectors are represented in magnitude and
direction by the sides of an open polygon, taken in order, then
their resultant is represented in magnitude and direction by the
closing side of polygon, taken in the opposite order.

Multiplication of a Vector by a Scalar

Let a be a vector and k a real number.
▪ i). If k is a positive real number, then k a is defined to be a vector whose magnitude is
k time that of a and direction is the same as that of a .
▪ ii). If k is a negative real number, then k a is defined to be a vector whose magnitude
is k time the magnitude of a and direction opposite to that of a .
▪ iii). If k = 0, then k a is zero vector.

Properties of Vector Addition

Commutative a +b = b+a
Associative ( ) ( )
a+ b+c = a+b +c
Difference of Two Vectors a − b = a + ( −b )
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Distributive Laws (a) If k is any real number and a , b are any

( )
two vectors, then k a + b = ka + kb .
(b) If a is any vector and m ,n are real
numbers, then ( m + n ) a = ma + na
(c) ( ) ( )
m na = n ma

Direction Ratios, Direction Angles and Direction Cosines of a Vector:

Let r = OP = xi + y j + zk be a non-zero vector, then any triplet of numbers proportional to x, y and

z are called direction ratios of r .

Let  ,  ,  are angles formed by Note that;

r = OP = xi + y j + zk with x-,y- and z-axes x y
• cos  = , cos  = and
r r
respectively such that 0     , 0     &
0     ,are called direction angles of r . z
cos  = .
r
• cos2  + cos2  + cos2  = 1
i.e. l 2 + m 2 + n 2 = 1
• sin 2  + sin 2  + sin 2  = 2

The numbers cos  , cos  and cos  are called

direction cosines of the vector r . cos  , cos  and
cos  are also denoted by l, m and n respectively.

The ratio formula

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Scalar Product of Two Vectors

Scalar Product/Dot For any two vectors a and b

Product/Inner Product
a.b = a b cos  ,where  is the angle
between the vectors a and b .
Scalar Product in Terms of if a = a1iˆ + a2 ˆj + a3kˆ &
Components
b = b1iˆ + b2 ˆj + b3kˆ , then
a.b = a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3
Special Cases (i). iˆ.iˆ = ˆj. ˆj = kˆ.kˆ = 1
(ii). iˆ. ˆj = ˆj.kˆ = kˆ.iˆ = 0
(iii).If a.b = 0 ,then either a = 0 or b = 0 or

=
2
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Properties of Scalar Product

Orthogonal Vectors Two vectors a & b are called orthogonal iff their dot
product is zero.i.e. a.b = 0 Iff a ⊥ b .
Parallel vectors If two vectors a & b are parallel then
 = 0 ,thus a.b = a b .

Angle Between Vectors The angle between the vectors a & b can be
determined by using the definition of the scalar product;
a.b
cos  = ,0   
a b
Commutative Property Scalar product is commutative i.e. a.b = b.a
Associative Property The scalar product is associative with respect to a scalar
k.
( ) ( ) ( )
ka .b = k a.b = a. kb
Distributive Property Scalar product is distributive over addition, i.e.
( )
a. b + c = a.b + a.c

Applications of Scalar Product

Projection of one Let a & b are any two vectors then ,

Vector upon another (i).The projection of a
Vector
along b = a.bˆ
(ii).The projection of b
along a = b.aˆ

Work done by a force The work done by a force F when its points of application
undergoes a displacement d is given by; w = F.d
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Vector Product of Two Vectors

Vector Product/Cross The vector or cross product of two vectors a &

Product
b is defined as, a  b = a b sin  nˆ ,where  is the
angle between a & b and n̂ is the unit vector
perpendicular to both a & b
Vector Product In Terms of if a = a1iˆ + a2 ˆj + a3kˆ &
Components
b = b1iˆ + b2 ˆj + b3kˆ , then
iˆ ˆj kˆ
a  b = a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3
Special Cases (i).If a  b = 0 then either a = 0 or b = 0 or a b
(ii). iˆ  iˆ = ˆj  ˆj = kˆ  kˆ = 0
(iii). iˆ  ˆj = kˆ , ˆj  kˆ = iˆ , kˆ  iˆ = ˆj .
(iv). ˆj  iˆ = −kˆ , kˆ  ˆj = −iˆ , iˆ  kˆ = − ˆj
Properties of Vector Product
Parallel vectors If two vectors a & b are parallel then
 = 0 ,thus a  b = 0 .
Angle Between Vectors The angle between the vectors a & b can
be determined by using the definition of
the vector product;
ab
sin  = ,0   
a b

Commutative Property Cross product is not commutative

Associative Property
Distributive Property
i.e. a  b  b  a but a  b = −b  a
The cross product is associative with
respect to scalar m.
( ) ( )
m a  b = ma  b = a  mb = a  b m ( ) ( )
Vector product is distributive with respect
to vector addition.
( )
(i). a  b + c = a  b + a  c

( )
(ii). b  c + a = b  a + c  a
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Applications of Vector Product

Geometrical Geometrically a  b represents the area of a parallelogram whose

Meaning
adjacent sides are represented by the vectors a & b

Unit vector ⊥ to ab

both a & b gives a unit vector ⊥ to both a & b
ab
Area of a 1
The area of triangle having two sides a & b is equal to ab .
Triangle 2

Moment of a Moment of a force F acting at a point A about any other point B is given
Force by BA  F .
Scalar Triple Product
Scalar triple product/box let a, b, c be three vectors, then
product
a.b  c is called scalar triple product.
It is denoted by  a, b, c  .
Scalar Triple Product in Terms If
of Components a = a1iˆ + a2 ˆj + a3kˆ , b = b1iˆ + b2 ˆj + b3kˆ
& c = c1iˆ + c2 ˆj + c3kˆ ,then
a1 a2 a3
a.b  c = b1 b2 b3
c1 c2 c3
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Applications of scalar triple product

Geometrical Geometrically a.b  c represents the volume of parallelopiped having

meaning

a, b, c as its adjacent sides.

Volume of a If a, b, c are the coterminous edges of a tetrahedron then ,
Tetrahedron 1
volume of tetrahedron = a.b  c
6

Coplanar If a, b, c are coplanar then a.b  c = 0 .

vectors

Properties of scalar triple product

(i).in scalar triple product the dot and cross product are
interchange able.i.e
a.b  c = b.c  a = c.a  b
( ) ( ) ( )
 a. b  c + b. c  a + c. a  b = 3a. b  c ( )
(ii).If any two vectors are same in scalar triple product then the
( )
product is zero. a. b  a = 0
(iii).For the fundamental unit vectors iˆ. ˆj  kˆ = 1 , iˆ. ˆj  iˆ = 0 .
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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1. Direction cosine of vector u along z-axis is:

u u.k
(a) (b) u^ (c) u.k (d)
|u| |u|

2. Negative of a unit vector is a:

(a) Scalar (b) Null vector (c) Unit vector (d) Position
vector

3. Sum of two unit vectors is:

(a) Unit vector (b) Null vector (c) Scalar (d) None of
these

4. Magnitude of a vector obtained by adding three equal unit vectors is:

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 3

→
5. |AB| 

→ → → →
(a) |BA| (b) |−AB| (c) |−BA| (d) −|BA|

→ →
6. If AB = k(AC), where k < 0, then u, v are:

(a) Collinear (b) Parallel (c) Anti-parallel (d) None

7. Vector addition is:

(a) Commutative (b) Associative (c) Closed (d) All of

these

→ →
8. Main diagonal of the parallelogram with sides AB and −AC is:

→ → → → → → →
(a) AB + AC (b) AC − AB (c) AB − AC (d) BC

→
9. If PO = 4i + 3 j , then position vector of P lies in qudrant:
−

(a) I (b) II (c) III (d) IV

10. Additive inverse of a unit vector is:

(a) Position vector (b) Unit vector (c) Null vector (d) None

11. If u is additive inverse of v, then:

(a) u+v=0 (b) u−v=0 (c) v+u=0 (d) u+v=0

12. If 3u + v = 0, then for which value of , v is additive inverse of u:

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1
(a) 3 (b) 0 (c) −3 (d)
3

13. For a vector v and a scalar c, which one is not true:

(a) |v|0 (b) | v | = 0 iff v = 0 (c) | cv | = c | v | (d) | cv | = |

c||v|

14. If v = a + b, then | v | = 0 if and only if:

(a) ab (b) a  −b (c) ba (d) None of

these

15.  1 v =
| v | 
^
(a) |v| (b) v (c) 1 (d) v

16. If u is a unit vector along v, then:

u v
(a) v=|v|u (b) v= (c) v= u (d) None
|u| |v|

17. If 2i + 4 j = −xi − (2 − y) j , then (x, y) =

− −

(a) (−2, −6) (b) (2, 6) (c) (−2, 6) (d) (−2, 2)

→
18. If position vectors of A and B are a and 2b − a respectively, then position vector of mid point of AB is:

a+b
(a) 2b − 2a (b) (c) b (d) a
2

19. Unit vector in space along x-axis is:

(a) [1, 0] (b) [1, 0, 0] (c) [0, 1] (d) [0, 1, 0]

20. 2[0, 1, 0] − 3[0, 0, 1] + 4[−1, 0, 0] =

(a) 2i − 3 j − 4k (b) −3i − 2 j − 4k (c) −4i + 2 j − 3k (d) −4i + 3 j

− − − −
+ 2k

⎯
21. If position vectors of A and B are u and v respectively then the distance AB =

(a) |v|−|u| (b) |v−u| (c) |u+v| (d) |u|+|v

|

22. If r = xi + y j + zk, then which one is not direction cosine of r:

−

x y z
(a) (b) (c) (d)
r x2 + y2 + z2 r
x
x2 + y2 + z2

23. If cos  is direction cosine of u, then:


(a) 0 (b) 0 (c) −     (d) 0
2

24. If a, b, c are direction cosines of u, then [a, b, −c] is:

(a) Null vector (b) Unit vector (c) Parallel to u (d) None
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25. A vector having norm 4 and lies along horizontal line is:

(a) 4i (b) −4i (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None

26. If vector ai − j is a unit vector, then a =

−

(a) 1 (b) −1 (c) 0 (d) All of

these

27. If v = −3u, then u, v are:

(a) Inverse of each other (b) Parallel (c) Anti-parallel (d) All of
these

28. If |i −  j − k| = 3, then  

−

(a) −1 (b) 3 (c) 1 (d) All of

these

29. If product of two vectors is a scalar, then it is called:

(a) Scalar product (b) Inner product (c) Dot product (d) All of
these

30. Angle, that vector 3i + j makes with positive x-axis is:

−

(a) 30 (b) 45 (c) 60 (d) 90


31. If a, b are inclined at an angle  where 0    , then:
2

(a) a . b  ab (b) a . b  ab (c) a.bb.a (d) All of

these

32. If u . v = uv cos , then:


(a) 0 (b) 0 (c) −     (d) None
2

33. Dot product of vectors is:

(a) Distributive (b) Associative (c) Closed (d) None

34. Two vectors u and v are perpendicular if:

(a) u.v=0 (b) u=0 (c) v=0 (d) All of

these

35. For vectors u, v and scalar c, (cu) . v 

(a) c(u . v) (b) u . cv (c) cu . cv (d) All of

these

36. If u is a unit vector, then u2 =

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) −1 (d) None

37. i . ( j − i + 2i) =
−

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) −1 (d) 0

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38. Vectors ai + b j and ai − b j are perpendicular if:

− −

(a) a+b=0 (b) a−b=0 (c) |a|=|b| (d) All of

these

39. Cosine of angle between two collinear vectors is:

(a) 1 (b) −1 (c) 1 or −1 (d) 1 or 0

40. Vectors u = 2i − 4 j + 5k and v = i + 2 j − k are:

− −

(a) Parallel (b) Collinear (c) Orthogonal (d) None

41. If vector u is three times v, then projection of v along u is:

v
(a) 3v (b) v (c) 3u (d)
3

v
42. If projection of v along u is , then they are inclined at:
2

(a) 0 (b) 30 (c) 60 (d) 90

43. A unit vector making an angle  with positive x-axis in xy-plane is:

(a) cos i + sin  j (b) sin i + cos  j (c) cos i − sin  j (d) All of
− − −
these

44. In xy-plane, if a ⊥ b and b ⊥ c then a . c =

(a) 0 (b) 0 (c) ac (d) ab + bc

45. If u . i = 1, u . j = −2, u . k = 3, then u =

−

(a) i + j + 3k (b) i − 2 j + 3k (c) i + 2 j − 3k (d) −2i + j

− − − −
+ 3k

46. If u = j − 2k, v = 4 j + k, then u  v is parallel to:

− −

(a) x-axis (b) y-axis (c) z-axis (d) None

1
47. If u = − v, then u  v =
3

(a) u2 (b) 3uv sin  (c) 0 (d) 3u2

48. If a + b = 0, then a  b =

(a) ab sin  (b) 0 (c) Null vector (d) None of

these

49. u  (v . w) =

(a) (u  v) . w (b) v . (w  u) (c) w . (u  v) (d) None

50. If u, v, w are co-planer, then u . (v  w) =

(a) Volume of tetrahedran (b) Area of triangle (c) Null vector (d) Zero
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