CLASS 11th

Basic
Mathematics
 Basic Mathematics

Mathematics is the supporting tool of Physics. The elementary knowledge of basic

mathematics is useful in problem solving in Physics. In the chapter we study Elementary
Algebra, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry and Calculus (differentiation and integration).

01. Trigonometry

Angle
Consider a revolving line OP.
Suppose that it revolves in anticlockwise direction starting from it s intial position OX.
The angle is defined as the amount of revolution that the revolving line makes with its initial
position.
From figure the angle covered by the revolving line OP is θ = ∠POX
P

θ
O X
The angle
is taken positive if it is traced by the revolving line in anticlockwise direction and
is taken negative if it is covered in clockwise direction.
1° = 60' (minute)
1' = 60" (second)

1 right angle = 90° (degrees) also 1 right angle =  rad (radian)

One radian is the angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc of the circle whose
length is equal to the radius of the circle.

1 rad =  ≈


=r
θ = 1 rad


To convert an angle from degree to radian multiply it by 


To convert an angle from radian to degree multiply it by 


Trigonometrical Ratios (Or T Ratios)

Let two fixed line XOX' and YOY' intersecting at right angles to each other at point O.
Then,
(i) Point O is called origin.
(ii) XOX' known as X-axis and YOY' are Y-axis.

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 Basic Mathematics

(iii) Point O is called origin.

(iv) XOX' known as X-axis and YOY' are Y-axis.
(v) Portions XOY, YOX', XOY' and YOX are called I, II, III and IV quadrant respectively.

Consider that the revolving line OP has traced out angle θ (in I quadrant) in anticlockwise
direction. Form P, draw perpendicular PM on OX. Then, side OP (in front of right angle) is
called hypotenuse, side MP (in front of angle θ) is called opposite side or perpendicular and
side OM (making angle θ with hypotenuse) is called adjacent side or base.
Y
P

90°
X' θ X
O M

Y'
The three sides of a right angled triangle are connected to each other through six different
rations, called trigonometric ratios or simply T-ratios :
perpendicular MP base OM
sin      cos     
hypotenuse OP hypotenuse OP
perpendicular MP base OM
tan      cot     
base OM perpendicular MP
hypotenuse OP hypotenuse OP
sec      cosec     
base OM perpendicular MP
It can be easily proved that :
  
cosec    sec    cot   
sin  cos  tan 

sin   cos     tan   sec   cot   cosec 

The T-ratios of a few standard angles ranging from 0° to 180°

Angle (θ)         
     
sin          
     

     
cos          
     
 
tan     
 ∞  
   
 

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 Basic Mathematics

Four Quadrants and ASTC Rule*

90°

IIst quadrant Ist quadrant

Sin All 0°
180° 360°
Tan Cos
st st
III quadrant IV quadrant

270°
In first quadrant, all trigonometric ratios are positive.
In second quadrant, only sinθ and cosecθ are positive.
In third quadrant, only tanθ and cotθ are positive.
In fourth quadrant, only cosθ and secθ are positive.

* Remember as Add Sugar To Coffee or After School To College.

Trigonometrical Ratios of General Angles (Reduction formula)

(i) Trigonometric function of an angle n   where n=0, 1, 2, 3,..... will be remain same.

sinn    sin cosn    cos tann    tan

n
 
(ii) Trigonometric function of an angle    will remain same if n is even and sign of

trigonometric function will be according to value of that function in quadrant.
sin     sin cos     cos tan     tan
sin     sin cos    cos tan     tan
sin    sin cos    cos tan     tan
n
 
(iii) Trigonometric function of an angle    will be changed into co-function if n is odd

and sign of trigonometric function will be according to value of that function in
quadrant.

 

sin      cos 
  

cos      sin 
  

tan      cot 


sin      cos  cos      sin  tan      cot 

  
  
(iv) Trigonometric function of an angle −θ (negative angles)

sin  sin cos  cos tan  tan

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 Basic Mathematics

Example Find the value of

(i) cos (−60°)
(ii) tan 210°
(iii) sin 300°
(iv) cos 120°
Solution 
(i) cos (−60°) = cos 60° = 


(ii) tan 210° = tan (180° + 30°) = tan 30° = 


(iii) sin 300° = sin (270° + 30°) = − cos 30° =  


(iv) cos 120° = cos (180° − 60°) = − cos 60° =  


A few Important Trigonometric Formula

sin A  B  sin A cos B cos A sin B cos A  B  cos A cos B sin A sin B
sin A  B  sin A cos B cos A sin B cos A  B  cos A cos B sin A sin B
tan A  tan B tan A  tan B
tan A  B   tan A  B  
  tan A tanB   tan A tanB
sin  A   sin A cos A cos  A  cos A  sin A


 tan A cos  A   cos A       sin A

tan  A  
  tan A

02. Differentiation

Function
Constant: A quantity, whose value remains unchanged during mathematical operations, is
called a constant quantity. The integers, fractions like π, e etc are all constants.
Variable: A quantity, which can take different values, is called a variable quantity. A variable
is usually represented as x, y, z, etc.
Function: A quantity y is called a function of a variable x, if corresponding to any given
value of x, there exists a single definite value of y. The phrase 'y is function x' is
represented as y = f (x)
For example, consider that y is a function of the variable x which is given by
y  x  x  
If x = 1, then y = 3 (1)2 + 7(1) + 2 = 12 and when x = 2, y = 3 (2)2 + 7(2) + 2 = 28
Therefore, when the value of variable x is changed, the value of the function y also change
but corresponding to each value of x, we get a single definite value of y. Hence, y = 3x2 +
7x + 2 represents a function of x.

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 Basic Mathematics

dy
Physical Meaning of 
dx
(i) The ratio of small change in the function y and the variable x is called the average rate
of change of y w.r.t. x.
For example, if a body covers a small distance ∆s in small time ∆ t, then
∆s
average velocity of the body, vav  
∆t
Also, if the velocity of a body changes by a small mount ∆v in small time ∆t, then
∆v
average acceleration of the body, aav  
∆t

∆y ∆y dy
(ii) When ∆ x → 0 The limiting value of  is
x
Lim  
∆ ∆x→ ∆x dx
It is called the instantaneous rate of change of y w.r.t. x.
The differentiation of function w.r.t. a variable implies the instantaneous rate of change
of the function w.r.t. that variable.
∆s ds
Like wise, instantaneous velocity of the body, (v)  Lim   
∆t→ ∆t dt
∆v dv
and instantaneous acceleration of the body (a)  Lim   
∆t→ ∆t dt

Theorems of Differentiation
d
(i) If c = constant,  c  
dx
(ii) y = c u, where c is a constant and u is a function of x,
dy d du
   cu  c 
dx dx dx
(iii) y = u ± v ± w, where, u, v and w are functions of x,
dy d du dv dw
  u ± v ± w   ±  ± 
dx  dx dx dx dx
(iv) y = u v where u and v are functions of x,
dy d dv du
  uv  u   v 
dx  dx dx dx
u
(v) y    where u and v are functions of x,
v
du dv
vu
dy d u dx dx
 
dx  dx v  
 
v 
n
(vi) y = x , n real number,
dy d
   xn  nxn  
dx dx

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 Basic Mathematics

Example dy
Find   when
dx
(i) y   x
(ii) y  x  x  


 

(iii) y  x  x  x 
Solution (i) y   x ⇒
dy d d   
    x    x   x     x   
dx dx dx   x

dy d d d d
(ii) y  x  x   ⇒    x  x     x   x   
dx dx dx dx dx
   
 x  x    x  x

(iii) y  x  x   x 

dy d d d d
⇒    x  x   x    x   x    x 
dx dx dx dx dx
d  d d
dx dx dx   
  x     x     x   x     x    x 

  
 x  x  x

Formula For Differential Coefficients of Trigonometric,

Logarithmic and Exponential Functions
d
l  sin x  cos x
dx
d
l  cos x   sin x
dx
d
l  tan x  sec x
dx
d
l  cot x   cosec x
dx
d
l  sec x  sec x tan x
dx
d
l  cosec x   cosec x cot x
dx
d 
log x 
dx  e  

l
x
d
l  ex  ex
dx
Maximum and Minimum Value of a Function
Higher order derivatives are used to find the maximum and minimum values of a function.
dy
At the points of maxima and minima, first derivative (i.e.  ) becomes zero.
dx

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 Basic Mathematics

y
B
Maxima

A
x
At point ‘A’ (minima) : As we see in figure, in the neighborhood of A, slope is increases
d y
so   
dx
dy d y
  and  
Condition for minima : 
dx dx
At point ‘B’ (maxima) : As we see in figure, in the neighborhood of B, slope is decreases
d y
so  
dx
dy d y
  and  
Condition for maxima : 
dx dx

Example The minimum value of y = 5x2 − 2x + 1 is


(i) 


(ii) 


(iii) 


(iv) 

Solution dy 
For maximum/minimum value    ⇒ x     ⇒ ×  
dx 

 dy 
Now at x     
  which is positive so minima at x  
 dx 
 
     
Therefore ymin          
  

03. Integration
In integral calculus, the differential coefficient of a function is given. We are required to find
the function. Integration is basically used for summation ∑ is used for summation of discrete
values, while ∫ sign is used for continuos function.

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 Basic Mathematics

dI
If I is integration of f(x) with respect to x then I = ∫ f(x) dx [we can check  = f(x)]
dx
therefore ∫ f(x) dx = f(x) + c
where c = an arbitrary constant
Let us proceed to obtain intergral of xn w.r.t. x.
d n 
 x   n  xn
dx
Since the process of integration is the reverse process of differentiation,
xn  
 n  xndx  xn   
or n   xndx  xn   or xndx  
n  
The above formula holds for all values of n, except n = −1.

It is because, for n = −1,  
xndx  x dx  x
dx 
d  
∵ 
dx loge x  
x
∴ 
x 
dx  loge x

Similarly, the formulae for integration of some other functions can be obtained if we know
the differential coefficients of various functions.

Few Basic Formula of Integration

Following are a few basic formulae of integration :
xn  
(i)  xndx    c Provided n ≠ 
n
d
(ii)  sinx dx   cosx  c 
∵  cos x   sin x
dx 
d
(iii) cosx dx  sin x  c 
∵  sin x  cosx
dx 
d
(iv)  

x
dx  loge x  c 
∵  loge x 
dx

x 
d
(v)  ex dx  ex  c ∵   ex ex
dx  
Definite Integrals
When a function is integrated between a lower limit and an upper limit, it is called a definite
integral.
d
If 
dx
fx  f′x then 
f′ x dx is called indefinite integral
b
and  a
f′ x dx is called definite integral

Here, a and b are called lower and upper limits of the variable x.
After carrying out integration, the result is evaluated between upper and lower limits as
explained below :
b
 a
f′ x dx  fxba  fb  fa

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 Basic Mathematics

Area Under a Curve and Definite Integration

y

y = F
(x)

x = x
x=b
xa
dx
Are of small shown element = ydx = f(x) dx
b
If we sum up all areas between x=a and x=b then  a
f′ x dx  shaded area between curve

and x-axis.

Example 
The integral  
x dx is equal to


(i) 


(ii) 


(iii) 

(iv) 
Solution   x        
 x dx               
         
Example The velocity-time graph of a car moving along a straight road is shown in figure.
The average velocity of the car is first 25 seconds is
Velocity(m/
s)

20

0 T i me(
10 20 25
s)
(i) 20 m/s
(ii) 14 m/s
(iii) 10 m/s
(iv) 17.5 m/s

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 Basic Mathematics

Solution 
 vdt
Area of v  t graph between t   to t   s

Average velocity   
   


     
     14 m/s
    
04. Some Standard Graphs and their Equations

y y A
Straight line

y = mx − c
θ y = mx
O x

c Straight line

θ x
O

m=tanθ
y
θ<90°
y
m=tanθ m=−ve
θ<90° y = mx + c
y = mx + c
m=+ve

Straight line Straight line

c
θ x θ
x
O O

y y

x = ky2 x = − ky2 x
x
O O
Parabola Parabola

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 Basic Mathematics

y y
O
x
Parabola

y = kx2 y = −kx2

Parabola
x
O
Hyperbola y
y 
x∞ 
 x 2 + y 2 = a2

O a
x
xy = constant
Circle

x
O

Ellipse y x y y
   
a 
b Exponential Decay
1
b y = e−kx
x
O

a a = semi major axis

x
b = semi minor axis O

05. Algebra
Quadratic Equation and its Solution
An algebraic equation of second order (highest power of the variable is equal to 2) is called
a quadratic equation. Equation ax  bx c   is the general quadratic equation.

The general solution of the above quadratic equation or value of variable x is

 b ±  b  ac  b  b  ac  b   b  ac
x   ⇒ x   and x  
a a a
b c
Sum of roots  x  x    and product of roots  xx  
a a
 
For real roots b  ac ≥  and for imaginary roots b  ac  

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 Basic Mathematics

Example Solve the equation x  x    

Solution By comparison with the standard quadratic equation a   b   and
c   
  ±    ×  ×     ±    ±    
x           or
×    

x   

Example The speed (v) of a particle moving along a straight line is given by
v  t  t   where v is in m/s and t in seconds. Find time t at which the
particle will momentarily come to rest.
Solution When particle comes to rest, v = 0.
  ±    
So t  t     ⇒ t   ⇒ t   or  

Neglect negative value of t, Hence t   s
Example The speed (v) and time (t) for an object moving along straight line are related as
t    vt where v is in meter/second and t is in second. Find the possible
positive values of v.
Solution For possible values of v, time t must be real so from b  ac ≥ 
we have  v  ≥ 
⇒ v   ≥  ⇒ v   ≥ 
⇒ v  v  ≥  ⇒ v ≥  and v ≤  
Hence possible positive values of v are v ≥ 10 m/s.

Binomial Expression
An algebraic expression containing two terms is called a binomial expression.

 

For example a  b a  b x y  x   etc. are binomial expressions.
y

Binomial Theorem
nn   nn  
a  bn  an  nan  b   an  b      xn    nx   x  
× ×

Binomial Approximation
If x is very small, then terms containing higher posers of x can be neglected so
  xn ≈   nx

Example Calculate 

Solution 

     ≈    ≈   ≈


Logarithm
Common formulae :
l log mn  log m  log n

m
l log  log m  log n

n

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 Basic Mathematics

l log mn  n log m
l loge m   log m

Componendo and Dividendo Rule

p a p q ab
If    then   
q b pq ab

Arithmetic Progression (AP)

General form : a, a + d, a +2d, ..., a + (n+1)d
Here a = first term, d = common difference
n n
Sum of n terms Sn    a  a  n  d    [Ist term + nth term]
 

Example Find the sum of given Arithmetic Progression 4 + 8 + 12 + ........+ 64

(i) 464
(ii) 540
(iii)544
(iv) 646
Solution Hence a = 4, d = 4, n = 16 So,
n 
sum   [First term + last term]           
 

NOTE ☞ (i) Sum of first n natural numbers

n  nn   
Sn          n      n     
   
(ii) Sum of first n squared natural numbers
 nn  n   
Sn          n    
  

Geometric Progression (GP)

n
General form a ar ar  ar   Hence a = first term, r = common ratio
a  rn a
Sum of n terms Sn   Sum of ∞ term S∞   ∵ r   ∴ r∞ →
r r

06. Vectors
Scalar Quantities
A physical quantity which can be described completely by its magnitude only and does not
require a direction is known as a scalar quantity.
It obey the ordinary rules of algebra.
Ex. Distance, mass, time, speed density, volume, temperature, current etc.

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 Basic Mathematics

Vector Quantities
A physical quantity which requires magnitude and a particular direction, when it is expressed.
Ex. Displacement, velocity, acceleration, force etc.
Vector quantities must obey the rules of vector algebra.
A vector is represented by a line headed with an arrow. Its length is proportional to its
magnitude.

A is a vector.

A  PQ is a vector.
Q

A

P
Magnitude of 
A  
A or A

Types of Vector
Ÿ Polar Vector
Vectors which have initial point or a point of application are called polar vectors.
Ex. : Displacement, force etc.
Q
displacement
S

P intial point
Ÿ Axial Vector
These vectors are used in rotational motion to define rotational effects. Direction of these
vectors is always along the axis of rotation in accordance with right hand screw rule or
right hand thumb rule.
Ex. : Infinitesimal angular displacement  d Angular velocity  Angular momentum
J Angular acceleration  and Torque 
Axis

C
Ÿ Equal Vectors
Vectors which have equal magnitude and same direction are called equal vectors.
 
A B

A


B

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 Basic Mathematics

Ÿ Opposite (or Negative) Vectors

Vectors which have equal magnitude but opposite direction are called opposite vectors.

AB and BA are opposite vectors
  
AB BA
A B

A B
Ÿ Parallel Vectors :-
These vectors which have same direction are called parallel vectors. Angle between two
parallel vectors is always 0°

A


B
Ÿ Anti-Parallel Vectors :
Those vectors which have opposite direction are called anti-parallel vector.
Angle between two anti-parallel vectors is always 180°

A


B
Ÿ Collinear Vectors :
The vectors lying in the same line are known as collinear vectors.
Angle between collinear vectors is either 0° or 180°.

Example.
(i) ← ← (θ = 0°)
(ii) → → (θ = 0°)
(iii) ← → (θ = 180°)
(iv) → ← (θ = 180°)
Ÿ Coplanar Vectors
Vectors located in the same plane are called coplanar vectors.

NOTE ☞ Two vectors are always coplanar.

Ÿ Null or Zero Vector

A vector having zero magnitude is called null vector.

NOTE ☞ Sum of two vectors is always a vector so, 

A 
 A    is a zero vector or null
vector

17
 Basic Mathematics

Ÿ Unit Vector
A vector having unit magnitude is called unit vector. It is used to specify direction. A
unit vector is represented by 
a (a cap or a hat or a caret).

A
Unit vector in the direction of 
A is 
a  (unit vector =

A
Vector

Magnitude of the vector


A  A a or 
A  
A
a
Ÿ Co-initial vector
Co-initial vectors are those vectors which have the same initial point.

a
 b and c are co-initial vectors.
c


b

a

Ÿ Base Vectors
In an XYZ co-ordinate frame there are three unit vectors i  j and 
k  these are used to
indicate X, Y and Z directions respectively. These three unit vectors are mutually
perpendicular to each other.
Y

j
i
X

k

Z
Addition of Two Vectors
Vector addition can be performed by using following methods
(i) Graphical methods
(ii) Analytical methods
Addition of two vectors is quite different from simple algebraic sum of two numbers.
Ÿ Triangle Law of Addition of Two Vectors
If two vectors are represented by two sides of a triangle in same order then their sum or
'resultant vector' is given by the third side of the triangle taken in opposite order of the
first two vectors.

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 Basic Mathematics


B vector addition  
R  
A B

B

B
0 α
 
A

A A
step (i) step (ii)

Shift one vector 

B without changing its direction, such that its tail coincide with head of
the vector 
A

Now complete the triangle by drawing third side, directed from tail of A to head of  B (it is
in opposite order of 
A and 
B vectors).
Sum of two vectors is also called resultant vector of these two vectors. Resultant 
R    B
A
Length of 
R is the magnitude of vector sum i.e.  
A B
∴ R   
A B 
A  Bcos   Bsin   
A   B   ABcos 
Let direction of 
R makes angle α with 
A
B sin 
tan   
A  Bcos 


R

B
Bsin θ

α θ

A Bcos θ

Ÿ Parallelogram Law of Addition of Two Vectors

If two vectors are represented by two adjacent sides of a parallelogram which are directed
away from their common point then their sum (i.e. resultant vector) is given by the
diagonal of the parallelogram passing away through that common point.
D C

 
R  
A B

B
β
α
A θ

A B

AB   
AD  
AC R or  
A  
B R ⇒ R 
A   B   ABcos 
Bsin  A sin 
tan   and tan  
A  Bcos  B A cos 

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 Basic Mathematics

Example Two forces of magnitudes 3N and 4N respectively are acting on a body. Calculate
the resultant force if the angle between them is :
(i) 0°
(ii) 180°
(iii) 90°
Solution (i) θ = 0°, both the forces are parallel, R = A + B
∴ Net force or resultant force R = 3 + 4 = 7N
Direction of resultant is along both the forces
3N

4N
θ = 180°, both the forces are antiparallel, R = A − B
∴ Net force or resultant force R = 4 − 3 = 1N
Direction of net force is along bigger force means along 4N.
3N 4N

(ii) θ = 90°, both the forces are perpendicular

then R  A   B   ABcos 
  A   B   
    N

 

tan    or tan    
 
Magnitude of resultant is 5N which is acting at an angle of 37° from 4N
force.
R 3N
α 4N

IMPORTANT POINTS
Ÿ Vector addition is commutative A 
B    
B A
Ÿ Vector addition is associative  
A  
B C   
A B 
C
Addition of More than Two Vectors (Law of Polygon)
If some vectors are represented by sides of a polygon in same order, then their resultant
vector is represented by the closing side of polygon in the opposite order.
 
R A   
B  
C D
 
D
C

C

B

A 
R

A

D 
B

20
 Basic Mathematics

Ÿ In a polygon if all the vectors are in same order then their resultant is a null vector.

A   
B  
C  
D E  

C

D

 
B
E 
A
Ÿ If n vectors of equal magnitude are arranged at equal angles of separation then their
resultant is always zero.
Subtraction of Two Vectors
Let A and B are two vectors. Their difference i.e. 
A  
B can be treated as sum of the
vector A and vector  
B

A  B    
A B
To subtract B from  A , invert the direction of B and add to vector 
A according to law of
triangle.
So   
A B A   B   ABcos  where θ is the angle between  A and 
B
Bsin 
Let angle of difference vector from vector  A is α then tanα 
A  Bcos 

B

θ 
A
α

 
B
A 
B


B

IMPORTANT POINTS
Ÿ The vector subtraction doesn’t follow commutative law i.e. A  
B ≠ 
B  
A
Ÿ The vector subtraction doesn’t follow associative law i.e.

A  
B  
C≠ 
A   
B C

Resolution of Vectors into Rectangular Components

When a vector is splitted into components which are at right angle to each other then the
components are called rectangular or orthogonal components of that vector.
(i) Let vector a  
OA in X – Y plane, makes α angle from X-axis. Draw perpendiculars AB
and AC from A on the X-axis and Y-axis respectively.

21
 Basic Mathematics

(ii) The length OB is called projection of 

OA on X-axis or component of  OA along X-axis
and is represented by ax. Similarly OC is the projection of 
OA on Y-axis and is
represented by ay. According to law of vector addition.
a
   
OA OB 
OC
Thus a has been resolved into two parts, one along OX and the other along OY, which
are mutually perpendicular.
OB
In ∆OAB   cos  or OB = OA cos α or ax = a cos α
OA
AB
and   sin  or AB = OA sin α = OC or ay = a sin α
OA
∴ ax = a cos α and ay = a sin α
If i and 
j denote unit vectors along OX and OY respectively then

OB  acos  i and 
 OC  a sin  j
So that according to rule of vector addition
  
OA  
OB OC or a  ax i ayj or a  a cos  i asin  j

Rectangular Components of a Vector in Three Dimensions

(i) Consider a vector a represented by OA as shown in figure. Consider O as origin and
draw a rectangular parallelepiped with its three edge along the X, Y and Z axes.
(ii) Vector a is the diagonal of the parallelepiped its projections on x, y and z axis are
 x a
a  y and a
 z respectively.
These are the three rectangular components of 
A
Using triangle law of vector addition   
OA  
OE EA
Using parallelogram law of vector addition   
OE  
OB OD
∴   
OA  
OB OD 
EA
∵  
EA OC ∴   
OA  
OB  
OD OC
  a
  a i   a     a  a i a j a 
Now OA OB x OC y j and OD a z k ∴ x y zk

C
ay
A

a

ax B
O
X

D az
E
Z

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 Basic Mathematics

Also OA  OE  EA But OE  OB  OD

and EA  OC ∴ OA  OB  OD  OC

a  ax  ay  az ⇒ a  ax  ay  az
  
or ...(i)

Directional Cosines
Let a makes angle : α with x axis, β with y axis and γ with z axis
ax
cos    ax  acos 
a
ay
cos    ay  acos 
a
az
cos    az  a cos 
a
cos  cos  and cos  are directional cosines of the vector.
Putting the value of ax ay and az in eq. (i) we get
a  a cos   a cos   a cos 
  
or cos   cos   cos    or   sin     sin     sin   
or   sin   sin   sin   or sin   sin   sin   
Y
a

β
α ax
γ X

Example A force is inclined at an angle of 60° from the horizontal. If the horizontal
component of the force is 40N, calculate the vertical component.
Solution Ax = 40N, Ay = ?, θ = 60°
∵ Ax = A cosθ
A
∴ 40 = A cos 60° =  or A = 80N

A  
Now Ay = A sin 60° =      N
 
Y
Vertical

θ = 60°
Horizontal

23
 Basic Mathematics

Multiplication and Division of a Vector by a Scalar


A
It there is a vector A and a scalar K and if B  KA and  C   where K > 0 then
K
(a) In multiplication of a vector by a scalar the magnitude becomes K times while the
direction remains same.
So that angle between  A and B is zero.
(b) In division of a vector by a scalar, the magnitude becomes (1/K) times and the direction
remains same. So that angle between  A and C is zero.

Scalar Product of Two Vectors

Definition
The scalar product (or dot product) of two vectors is defined as the product of their
magnitudes with cosine of the angle between them.
Thus if there are two vectors 
A and B having angle θ between them then their scalar
product is written as

A  ABcos 
B
IMPORTANT POINTS
Ÿ It is always a scalar, which is positive if angle between the vectors is acute (i.e.θ < 90°)
and negative if angle between them is obtuse (i.e. 90° < θ < 180°).
Ÿ It is commutative  A  
B 
B A
Ÿ It is distributive  
A  
B C 
A 
B 
A C
Ÿ According to definition 
A  ABcos 
B
B
The angle between the vectors   cos  
A
AB  
Ÿ Scalar product of two vectors will be maximum when cos θ = max =1, i.e. θ =0°,
i.e, vectors are parallel. 
A Bmax  AB
Ÿ Scalar product of two vectors will be zero when cos θ = 0, i.e. θ = 90°

A
B  
if the scalar product of two nonzero vectors is zero then vectors are orthogonal or
perpendicular to each other.
Ÿ In case of orthogonal unit vectors i j and  k
  
i  j jk  ki  ×  × cos   
Ÿ The scalar product of a vector by itself is termed as self dot product and is given by

A AA cos   A  ⇒ 
A A  
A A
Ÿ In case of unit vector 
n
 
nn   ×  × cos    So  n  ii jj 
n k
k 
Ÿ In terms of components
   A i A j A  
A B  x y z kBx i  By j  Bz k  AxBx  AyBy  Az Bz 
 

Projection of 
A on 
B
(i) In scalar form : Projection of 
A on 
B
B  
B
 
A
 A cos   A     
AB
A
B

A B

24
 Basic Mathematics

B
(ii) In vector form : Projection of 
A on 
B  A cos  
A
B 
B  

A

θ

B
A cosθ
Vector Project of Two Vectors
Definition
The vector product or cross product of two vectors is defined as a vector having magnitude
equal to the product of their magnitudes with the sine of angle between them, and its
direction is perpendicular to the plane containing both the vectors according to right hand
screw rule or right hand thumb rule. If  A and  B are two vectors, then their vector product
i.e. 
A × 
B is a vector 
C defined by  
C A ×   ABsin  
B n

Right Hand Thumb Rule

Place the vector 
A and 
B tail to tail.
Now place stretched figures and thumb of right hand perpendicular to the plane of  A and 
B
such that the fingers are along the vector  If the fingers are now closed through smaller
A
angle so as to go towards   then the thumb gives the direction of 
B A × 
B i.e. 
C

C  
A × 
B


n 
n

C
θ

A 
B

Example If   i  j and r

F   i  j then calculate torque    × 
F
Solution Here r
 i  j   k and  F  i  j k
i j 

 
k
∴   r × F       i   j    k      k

  

25
 Basic Mathematics

JEE Main Pattern

Exercise (1)
1. Find the minimum and maximum values of the function y = x3 − 3x2 + 6

2. A metallic disc is being heated. Its area A (in m2) at any time t(in sec) in given by
A = 5t2 − 4t + 8. Calculate the rate of increase of area at t = 3s.


3. If       find the time when velocity becomes zero.


4. A particle is moving along x-axis and velocity of particle is given by v = 2x + 1, the find the
acceleration of particle at x = 1m.

5. A particle is moving along x-axis and position of particle is given by

x = t2 + t + 1, then find the velocity and acceleration of particle at t = 1s.

6. A particle is moving along x-axis and the velocity of particle at any instant t is given by v = 2t
– 6 (v in m/s and t in s) find the acceleration of particle at t = 2s.

7. Find sin 


8. Find the values of cos  


9. Solve the following :       

10.The acceleration due to gravity g` at height h from the surface of radius R is given by
 
′  
  
where g is the acceleration due to gravity on th earth`s surface. Find out the value of g` using the
binomial theorem, if h<<R.

ANSWER
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5
2
y = +6 (maximum)  t = 2 sec a = 6 m/s v = 3 m/s , a = 2 m/s2
  26 m2/s
y = +2 (minimum) 
Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10
2 o
a = 2 m/s Sin 270 = – 1 
cos 22  o =

either x = 1 or
x = – 5
′     



  


   




26