Vectors

1. Unit Vector

9. Vector equation of a line

Vector AB
Unit vector AB =
Magnitude AB r =a + p parallel vector

2. Position vector / Coordinate vector

Any coordinate along the line.
AB = B − A
** If given two position vectors, A and B
3. Perpendicular Vectors
Then , r = A +  AB
a •b = 0
Cartesian equation
4. Parallel Vectors
a  m
i) a • b = a b OR  
Let r =  b  +   n  . then
ii) a  b = 0 c  q 
   

x −a y −b z −c
5. Normal Vector = =
m n q
n = ab
10. Vectors in a triangle
6. Area of a triangle C

1
 ab
2
A
7. Area of a parallelogram θ
B

ab
i) Find vectors BC and BA
8. Angle between two lines
BC • BA
ii) cos  =
a •b BC BA
cos  =
a b
 11. Equation of a plane
(Vector equation)
Normal vector.(*Refer note 5)
r n=a n
Any coordinate on the plane.
** If given 3 points
14. Point of intersection between two lines
P(1, 2,3) Q(2, 4,5) R(−1, 4, −6)
Sketch the diagram
x−2 y −1
Q L1 : = = z −3
3 2
x+3 z
L2 : = y −1 =
4 2
Re write in vector form
R
 2 3
P    
L1 : r = 1  +   2 
3 1 
   
i) Find PQ and PR
 −3   4
ii) Find n = PQ  PR    
L2 : r = 1  +  1 
0   2
   
Cartesian Equation of a plane
ax + by + cz = d (where d = a n) Solve simultaneous equation to find
the values of  and .
(Refer note 11) i : 2 + 3 = −3 + 4 
12. Angle between a line and a plane j :1 + 2 = 1 + 

pn Subs the values of  and . into L1 or

S in  =
p n L2.

13. Angle between two planes 15. Point of intersection between a line
and a plane.
n1 n2
Cos  = x z + 5
 =  (equateto  )
n1 n2 L1 : = y −1 =
2 2 
3x − 2 y + z = 5

x = 2 , y =  + 1, z = 2 − 5  sub into plane

3(2 ) − 2( + 1) + 2 − 5 = 5
 = 2,
Hence, the point is (4,3, −1)
 16. Line of intersection between two Eg : Intersection between two
planes. planes.34

a. First find n - multiply n1  n2 P1 = r.(4i − 3 j + 2k ) = 7

(vector of both planes) P2 = r.(3i − 5 j − k ) = 5

b. Solve simultaneous equation of both 4 −3 2

planes to x , y and z. ( This is your n1  n2 =
3 − 5 −1
coordinate)
= 13i + 10 j − 11k
c. Rewrite your andwer in the form of
r = a+p b. Solve simultanous equations.

4x − 3 y + 2z = 7
 E lim inate y or z
3x − 5 y − z = 5 
17. To show a line lies on a plane
−−−−−−−−−
10 x − 13 y = 17
4   −1
    Let y = 1, (take this value so that there's no fractions)
L1 =  −3  +   2  and  :3x + 2 y − z = −1
7  1  x = 3, then y = −1.
   
The po int, a = (3,1, −1)
From L1 x = 4 −  , y = −3 + 2 , z = 7 + 
p = 13i + 10 j − 11k
Sub into the π
3(4 −  ) + 2(−3 + 2 ) − (7 +  ) r = a+p
= −1 same as the RHS value (−1).
3  13 
Hence, the line is on the plane. Hence,    
r = 1  +  10 
 −1  −11
   