PRODUCT

VECTOR OR CROSS
REVISION OF KEY CONCEPTS AND FORMULAE

0. then x h l bsin 9n, where n1s a

If a,b are two vectors inclined at an angle right handed
and b such that a,b,n form a
unit vector perpendicular to the plane of a
system.
xb= 0 iff a and b are parallel.
a and b.
adjacent sides as a
3. a x gives the vector area of the parallelogram having two
axb
plane of a and b are t
, The unit vectors perpendicular to the

5 dxb=-(ox ß)
0 m(a x b) =max b= ax mb, for any scalar m
= mnaxb=ax mn b for scalars m, 1.
(i1) maxnb =mn(ax b) =n ax mb

i +b, j +bgk
7. axb=la ag ag,where a =a,i +a, itagk and b =b,
b3

vectors a and b :ax b|+(a.b) =2|B2

8. For any two
vector a; | ax i +| axjP+|axk=2|7|2
9, For any
10. (i) Area of AABC =
is |ACx BD|, where AC and BD are
aplane convex quadrilateral ABCD
(i) Area of
diagonal.
vertices A, B, C of AABC, then
11. If are the position vectors of the
Area of A ABC |7xi+bx+xdl
AB =
Length of the perpendicular from C on
21.2

lxB+bxd+dxa
MATHEMATICS-XIH
Length of the perpendicular from A
on BC =

Length of the perpendicular from Bon AC =

SOLVED EXAMPLES

(MCQs)
MULTIPLE CHOICEQUESTIONS
is
EXAMPLE 1 The value of i.(jx k) +.(îx ) +k.(ix j) (d) 3
(a) 0 (b) -1 (c) 1
[NCERT)
Ans. (c)
SOLUTION We know that ixj=k, jxk=iand i xk=-‘
h+j.(ixi)+k.x)=f.f+j.-)+k.k=i.i-j.j+k.k=1 -1+1=1
i.Gx
between any two vectors a and b, then| a. b|=| ax bl when eis
EXAMPLE2 If 0 is the angle
equal to (d) T
(a) 0 (b) 4
(),
[NCERT]
Ans. (b)
SOLUTION We have, T 3
4 4
b|YThen a x b is a unit vector, if
EXAMPLE 3 Let the vectors a and b be such that| a =3 and| 3
the angle between a and b is
(a) (b) ()
4
[NCERT]
Ans. (b)
SOLUTION Let be the angle between a and b.If ax b is a unit vector. then
1
|ax b|=1 |a|b| sin 0=1 3x 3
sin =1 sin 0=
4

EXAMPLE 4 Area of the rectangle having vertices A, B, CandDwith position vectors

AA1A 4 14
i+j+4k, i-j+4k
2 and-i-j+4k, respectitely is
1 (b) 1
(a) (c) 2 (d) 4
2
Ans. (c) NCERTJ
SOLUTION We find that
AR=P.V. of B- P.V. of A =2i and AD =P.V. of D-P.V. of A=-j
|AB| =2 and |AD| =1
 CROSsPRODUCT 21.3
rOROR

Are ofrNtangle ABCD= AB x AD =2x1=2Sq. units.

area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are =itkandb=2i+f+k,is
(b) V3 a
(c) 3 (d) 4 [NCERT EXEMPLAR]

QUTON We have, a =i+0)+ kand b =2i +j +k.

xb=1 0 1=-i+j+k|axb|=+12+12 -N3
2 1 1

’’
Area of paralelogram with adjacent sides a and bis |ax b|=V3.
RAMPLE6 The vectors from the origin to the; points Aand Bare a - 2i-3i+2kand b =2A.3i+k
i+ 3
nsutiely,then area of AOAB is
la)340 (b) V25 (c) V229 (a)229
2
Ans.(d)
[NCERT EXEMPLARI

enUTION We have, OA = a =2i-3 j+ 2k and OB= b =2i+3j+k.

OA xOB =2 -3 2=-9i +2j+12k » |OÀ× OB=-9?+2² +12 =29

2 3 1

1
Area ofa0AB=io4 xOB|=29
’ ’
EXAMPLE 7 Ifla =10,|b| =2and a.b =12, then the value of | a xb| is
(a) 5 (b) 10 (c) 14 (d) 16
Ans. (d)
[NCERT EXEMPLAR]
’ ’’
sOLUTION We knowthat| ax b|+(a.b) =| a|b.Here, | a =10,|b|=2 and a .b =12
|axb|+12 =10x22|axb|'=400 144 =256 =’ |a xb|=16
EXAMPLE 8 If l a xb| +(a .b =144 and| a< =4, then|b|=
(a) 9 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 16
Ans. (b)
SOLUTION We know that|axb|? +(a.b' =|a |b 2.
is given that|a xb|'+ (a.b)' =144 and | a| =4.
144 =4' x|bP» b=9 »b|=3
EAMPLE 9 If uand vare unit vectors and Ois the acute angle between them, then 2 u x 30 is a unit
Dector for (b) exactly one value of 0
a) no value of
() exactly two values of 0 (d) more than two values of 0
 thati ullrl1and 0is the acute angle between and e.
ATRYN t i given
| x | sin
Now. 2x3 will lbe aunit vector, if
6l=1 6sin 0=1 > sin 0 6
|2ux3p|=1
x 3 u is a unit vector.
only one value of 0for which 2 u
As eis an acute angle. So, there is triangle
vectors a andb isandthe area of the with adjacent
EXAMPLE10 1f the angle between the 3

sides rrallel to aand b is 3, then a b is (d)v 3

() 4/3 2
(a) 3 (b) 2/3

Ans. (b)
triangle with adjacernt sides a and b is 3.
SOLUTION It isgiven that the area of the
=6 |a |b|=4/3
|axb|=3 > |ax b| =6 > | || b| sin 3

Hence, a b | | a|| b| cos=4/3x-2/3

2
3

EXAMPLE 11 (a.) (ax i)+(a.) x(axf) +(a.) (ax )is equal to

(c) 0 (d) 2 a
(a) 3 a (b) a
Ans. (c)
SOLUTION Let a = a, i t a, j t azk. Then,
=-4,ta i
a.i=a, a .j =&, , a .k=az, axi =-a, k+ agj, axj =a,k-agi, axk
A’

xi)+(a.)(axj)+(a.k) (ax )
-4(-azk+as)+a, (a,k-ag )+ag(-h,j+ag î) =0
’
EXAMPLE 12 Let u =i+j, v= i-j and w=i+2j+ 3k. If nis aunit vector such that u n=0 and
Dn=0, then| w n|is equal to
(a) 3 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 2
Ans, (a)
SOLUTION We have,

un=0 and n=0 >n1 u andnlu n= t

|ux v|
Now. x-i+)xi-j) =-2k. Therefore, n=tk.
Hence, jw nj-l0+2j+ 3k) (1 k)|=|* 3|=3
 VECTOR OR CROSS PRODUCT 21.6

RAMPLE 13 let a2ij

x cl=3 andthe angle etven cand a
xb be 30. Then, a- c is equal to
(b) 2
(c) 5 (d)
Ans.(b)

TON We have, a 2i+j-2kand b =i

al-3,1b|=N2, axb =2i-2j+kand |ax b|=3
i sgiventhat

I(axb)x c|=3 = |(axb||c| sin 30°=3 c=3»|(=2

le-al=3 l(²+a?-2(ac) =9 4+9-2(4: c) =9> ac =2
AMPLE1 J the diagOnals of a parallelogram are represented by the vectors 3i +j -2k and
3-4k, then its area in square units, is
(a)53 (b) 6/3 () V42 (d) /28
Ans. (c)
SOLUTION Let a =3i+j-2k and b =i +3j-4k.Then,
k
a xb=|3 1 -2=2i +10j+8k axb|=,4+ 100 +64 =V168 = 2N42
|1 3 -4

1
Required area =|ax
2 b| =\42 sq. units
EXAMPLE15 Vectors a and b are inclined at an angle =60°.If a|=1,| b|=2,then
(la +3b) x(3 a - b) is equal to
(a) 225 (b) 275 (c) 325 (d) 300
Ans. (d)
SOLUTION We have,
’

’’
=100 (4 -2 cos 60) = 300. ::ab =2 cos 60°= 1]

EXAMPLE 16 Ifvector a+b bisects the angle between non-collinear vectors a and b, then
’

(a) |al =|b| (b) |a|=| a+ b| (c) |b| =|a+ b| (d) none of these
Ans. (a)
SOLUTION If a+ b bisects the angle between a and b, then

(Angle between a and a + b) =(Angle between b and a+ b)

 21.6 MATHEMATICS-XH

a.(a+b) b.(a+b) a.a+ a.b

-’

|a| |a+ b| |b||a+ b| a|

MCQs
ASSERTION -REASON BASED
STATEMENT-1 (Assertion) and STATEMENT-2
Each the following examples contains
of
and (d), only one of whichis the correct answer.
(Reason) has following four choices (a),(b),(c)
Mark the correct answer.
true; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for
(a) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is
Statement-1. explanation for
Statement-1 is true, Statement-) is true: Statement-2 is not a correct
(0)
Statement-1.
(c) Statement-1is true, Statement-2 is false.
(d) Statement-1 is false, Statement-2 is true.
sides of theregular hexagon
EXAMPLE 17 Let the vectors PÒ. O. RS. S.Tæ and íÁ represent the
PORSTU.
Statement-1 (A): PÒx (RS+ St) ß
Statement-2 (R): PÒ x RS-ß and PÒx Sd ß
Ans. (c)
0.
SOLUTION Clearly, Rs+ St - Rt. Also, RT isnot parallel to PO. Therefore, PQx RÍ =
So, statement-1 is true.

We observe that PO is not parallel to RS,but P is parallel to S. R

So,statement-2 is not true. Fig. 21.1

EXAMPLE 18 Statement-1 (A): Let a, b, c be the position vectors of three non-collinear points A, B
and Crespectively in aplane.
Area of a ABC-xb+bxd+dxa
2

Statement-2 (R): Length of the perpendicular from vertex A on BC is

axb+bxx c+ x a|

Ans. (b)
IECTORORCROSS PRODUCT
21.7

Clearly,
A-Area of AABC =|AB xAI
A-)x(i-)|=-ixi-ixdeixil
2 ..)
S), statement-1 is true
nbe
letpbethe length of perpendicular from vertex Aon BC.Then,
...i)
From (i) and (1), we get
’
ax-x.txa=-ß|*p=p: axb+ bxc+cxa =

So,statement-2 is true.

PRACTICE EXERCISES
MULTIPLE CHOICEQUESTIONS (MCas)
1. Tisany vector, then(T' xi)' +(*x)' +(ï x$? =
(a) 2 (b) 2a2 (c) 3a2 (d) 4 a2
[NCERT EXEMPLAR.

2 f2.b =?.and axb =ïx,+0, thern

(a) b= (b) b-ß () b+=Þ (d) none of these

3. The vector b = 3i +4k is to be written as the sum of avector a parallel to a=i+jand a

vector ß perpendicular to a. Then =

2
b) (i+)
A
2k),Q (2i k)
4. The unit vector perpendicular to the plane passing through points P(i -j+
and R(2+) is
(a) 2i +j +k (6) Vo(2î+j +h (o(2i+j+) (a) 2i+j+*)
6

rhombus, then
5. Ifa, b represent the diagonals of a
(a) xb=Þ (b) a.b =0 () ab=1
6. Vectors a and are inclined at angle 0-120°. If |a-1,| |=2, then

I(ã+3 b) x(3 d - b is equal to

(b) 325 (c) 275 (d) 225
(a) 300
21.8 MATHEMATICS-XI1

ii*)-i.i2)s2h and de-i+2)-, then aunit vetor normal to the

vetors +b and b-cis
(b) (c) k (d) none of these

S. Aunit vector perpendicular to both i +j and j +k is

1 A
(b) i+j+k (c)
9, If d
=2i-3j-kandb=i+4-2k, then d xbis
(a) 10i+ 2jA +11k (b) 10i+3+11k(e 10-3+1Ik (d) 10i-2j- 10k
10. If i, i, k are unit vectors, then
(a) ij=1 (b) i-1 (0) ixj=1 (d) ix(j xk) =1
A
11. Ifeis the angle between the vectors 2 -2i+4kand 3i+j+2k, then sin =
(b)
2 V2
(c) (d)
7

12. If|ax b|=4,|7-b|-2, then| | | B|2=

(a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 20 (d) 8
13. The value of (a x b)² is

()1P+|BP -2(7-b)
14. The number of vectors of unit length perpendicular to the vectors a =2i+j+2kand
b=j+kis
(a) one (b) two (c) three (d) infinite [NCERT EXEMPLAR.

15. If|a| =8,| b|=3 and |ax b| =12, then the value of a-b is
(a) 6/3 (b) 8V3 (c) 12/3 (d) none of these
[CBSE 2020, NCERT EXEMPLARJ
16. If i, j, kare unit vectors along three mutually perpendicular directions, then
(a) î.j =1 (b) îx=1 (c) i.k =0 (d) ixk=0 [CBSE 2020]

17. The area of the triangle formed by vertices O, A and B, where OA =i+2+3k and
OB =-3i-2j+kis
(a) 3/5 sq. units (b) 5/5 sq. units (c) 6V5 sq. units (d) 4sq. units [CBSE 2020]
 ECTORORCROSSSPRODUCT
21.9

pe ahie of (ox).x).
J8 The
(a)2 (b) 0 ICBSE 20231
() 1 (d) 1
0, what are the
(b) A5
values of 2. and o?
,o=0
(c) A=3,=0
() tbe
cannot found as there are two
unknowns and only one equation
ASSERTION -REASON
Eahofthe following questions contains BASED MCQs
STATEMENT-1 (Assertion) and STATEMENT-2
Reason)and has following four choices (a), (b), (c) and (d), only one of which is the correct
answer. Markthe correct choice.
(a) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is true: Statement-2 is a correct explanation for
statement-1.
(b) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is true: Statement-2 is not a correct explanation for
statement-1.
iA Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is false.
Statement-1 is false, Statement-2 is true.
’
20.Statement-1 (A): Ihe sine of the angle between the vectors a =3i+ j+ 2k and
2
b=2i-2j+ 4k is
Statement-2 (R): The angle between vectors a and b is given by sin =

21. Statement-1 (A): Vectors perpendicular to the vectors a =2i-j+ 2k and

b =4i-j+3k are given by a(-i+ 2j+2k), where A. is a scalar.
Statement-2 (R): ax b is a vector perpendicular to vectors a and b.

22. Statement-1 (A): Iía-3i-4j+5k, then| 7xi +2xj+|axk?=100

Statement-2 (R): For any vector,

23. Statement-1 (A): The area of the parallelogram ABCD is|AC ×BDI.
The are of quadrilateral ABCD is
Statement-2 (R): 9b 6159 1Ax BD|.

24. Statement-1 (A): a b,c be three vectors such that a+ b+c=0.

Letta,
.b+6.+.i-a+1öP +1)
Statement-2 (R): xb=bx c=x a.
 21.10 MATHEMATICS-X
ANSWERS

6. (a) 7. (a) 8. (c) 9, (b)

4. (c) 5. (b) 16. (c) 17. (a) 18. (d,
1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (a) 14. (b) 15. (c)
10. (b) 11. (b) 12, (c) 13. (b) 24. (b)
22. (c) 23. (a)
19. (a) 20. (a) 21. (a)
ACTIVITY

=axb+ax c for any threevectors a, b, c.

OBJECTIVE To verifyax(b+ c) drawing sheet / chart paper, pencil, ruler
MATERIALS REQUIRED Drawing board / cardboard,
pen,adhesive etc.
STEPS OF CONSTRUCTION paper on the cardboard
chart paper. Fix chart
Step I Take a cardboard and a
a, OB = b and BC = c as shown in Fig. 21.2.
Step I Draw OA =
and BN.
Step II Draw perpendiculars BL, CM OAQB and BQPC as shown in Fig. 21.2.
Step IV Complete parallelograms OAPC,
P

L M
Fig. 21.2

STEPS OF DEMONSTRATION
’ ’
b+ c=0C
Step I In triangle OBC, OB +BC =0C
...1)
Step II lax(b +c =|04xOC|-Area of parallelogram OAPC
...(ü)
Step II ax b|=|04xOB| = Area of parallelogram 0AQB.
...(ü)
laxc|=(0A × BC|=|BØ x BC|=Areaof parallelogramBQPC
Now, Area of parallelogram 0APC
=OAx CM
=0A x (CN + NM)
=0A x (CN + BL)
=0Ax CN +OAx BL
= BQx CN+OAx BL
=Area of parallelogram BQPC +Area of parallelogram OAQB
[Using (ü) and (i))