Q.Show that area of the parallelogram whose diagonals are given by a and b is 2∣a×b∣. Also find the area of the parallelogram whose diagonals are 2i^−j^+k^ and i^+3j^−k^.
🔒You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Parallelogram Diagonal Vectors
Parallelogram Diagonal Vectors – From Scratch
A parallelogram is a slanted rectangle: opposite sides are equal and parallel. Draw both diagonals — each runs from one corner to the opposite corner. The question is: how do we describe these diagonals using the two side vectors that start from the same corner?
The Setup
Take a parallelogram with vertices A, B, C, D in order, with A at the origin. From A, two vectors emerge:
- a goes from A to B (one side)
- b goes from A to D (the other side)
Because opposite sides are equal, B to C is also b and D to C is also a, so the fourth vertex C sits at a+b. The two diagonals run from A to C and from B to D.
The Diagonal from the Common Vertex
From A to C you go a then b, ending at the opposite corner:
d1=a+b
That's the vector sum of the two sides — walk along one side then the other and you land on the opposite corner.
The Other Diagonal
B is at a and D is at b. To go from B to D, you travel from a to b:
d2=b−a
The reverse, from D to B, is a−b. Both are correct; they just differ in direction.
The two diagonals are not the same length in general. They are equal only in a rectangle. The sum and difference of the side vectors give the two diagonals.
The Precise Statement
For a parallelogram with adjacent side vectors a and b from a common vertex:
- The diagonal from that common vertex to the opposite vertex is a+b.
- The other diagonal (connecting the other two vertices) is b−a (or a−b, depending on direction).
Why This Matters
- Vector addition — the diagonal from the common vertex is the sum of the sides. This is the parallelogram law of vector addition.
- Finding midpoints — the diagonals bisect each other; both midpoints are the same point, 2a+b.
- Physics — the resultant of two forces acting at a point is the diagonal of the parallelogram formed by the force vectors.
A Quick Check
Take a=(3,0) (horizontal) and b=(1,2) (slanted). Then:
- Diagonal from the common vertex: (3,0)+(1,2)=(4,2) …
If the diagonals of a parallelogram are a and b, its area is 21∣a×b∣.
Let the adjacent sides be p and q, so the diagonals are a=p+q and b=p−q. Then
a×b=(p+q)×(p−q)=−2(p×q),
using p×p=q×q=0 and q×p=−p×q. The parallelogram's area is ∣p×q∣=21∣a×b∣.
For a=2i^−j^+k^ and b=i^+3j^−k^: …
Sides are half the sum/difference of the diagonals, giving a×b=−2(p×q), so area =21∣a×b∣. For the given diagonals ∣a×b∣=62, so the area is 262 square units.
Idea
The diagonals of a parallelogram are the sum and difference of its two adjacent sides. Calling the sides p and q, the diagonals are p+q and p−q. Since the area is ∣p×q∣, we just express that cross product through the diagonals.
Proving the formula
Let a=p+q and b=p−q. Expand distributively:
a×b=p×p−p×q+q×p−q×q.
Now p×p=0, q×q=0, and q×p=−p×q, so
a×b=−p×q−p×q=−2(p×q).
Taking magnitudes,
∣a×b∣=2∣p×q∣⇒Area=∣p×q∣=2∣a×b∣.
Applying to the given diagonals
a=2i^−j^+k^, b=i^+3j^−k^. …
Method: Area of a Parallelogram from Its Diagonals
Apply this when a parallelogram is described through its two diagonals rather than its sides.
Steps
Step 1: Express the sides through the diagonals
If the diagonals are a and b and the sides are p,q, then the diagonals are the sum and difference of the sides: a=p+q, b=p−q. This structural fact is the whole key.
Step 2: Relate the diagonal cross product to the side cross product
Expand a×b=(p+q)×(p−q). The like terms vanish (p×p=q×q=0) and the cross terms combine to −2(p×q). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using ∣a×b∣ instead of 21∣a×b∣
Why it's wrong: here a,b are the diagonals, and a×b=−2(p×q), so its magnitude is twice the area. Correct approach: halve it — the area is 21∣a×b∣.
Mistake 2: Treating a,b as sides rather than diagonals …
Showing the 12 most recent of 20 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.Let a=i^+j^+k^, b=i^+3j^+5k^ and c=7i^+9j^+11k^ then the area of parallelogram having diagonals a+b and b+c is (A) 46 sq. units (B) 26 sq. units (C) 6 sq. units (D) 66 sq. units
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area of a parallelogram from its diagonals d1,d2 is 21∣d1×d2∣; here it comes out to 46.
Concept and Intuition
If a parallelogram has diagonal vectors d1 and d2, its area is 21∣d1×d2∣ — this follows because the diagonals split the parallelogram into triangles whose combined area works out to half the cross-product magnitude of the diagonals.
Step-by-Step Solution
- a+b=(1+1)i^+(1+3)j^+(1+5)k^=2i^+4j^+6k^.
- b+c=(1+7)i^+(3+9)j^+(5+11)k^=8i^+12j^+16k^.
- Compute (a+b)×(b+c) using components (2,4,6) and (8,12,16):
- i-component: 4⋅16−6⋅12=64−72=−8
- j-component: −(2⋅16−6⋅8)=−(32−48)=16
- k-component: 2⋅12−4⋅8=24−32=−8 …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.Let ∣aˉ∣=2,∣bˉ∣=3 and the angle between aˉ and bˉ be 3π. If a parallelogram is constructed with adjacent sides 2aˉ+3bˉ and aˉ−bˉ, then its shorter diagonal is of length (A) 108 (B) 172 (C) 63 (D) 243
›Reveal solutionSolution
The diagonals of a parallelogram with sides p,q are p+q and p−q; computing their magnitudes shows the shorter diagonal is 63.
Concept and Intuition
For a parallelogram with adjacent sides p=2a+3b and q=a−b, the diagonals are p+q and p−q. Their lengths are found using ∣u∣2=u⋅u, expanded with ∣a∣2=4, ∣b∣2=9, and a⋅b=2⋅3⋅cos(π/3)=3.
Step-by-Step Solution
- p+q=3a+2b. ∣p+q∣2=9∣a∣2+12(a⋅b)+4∣b∣2=9(4)+12(3)+4(9)=36+36+36=108.
- p−q=a+4b. ∣p−q∣2=∣a∣2+8(a⋅b)+16∣b∣2=4+24+144=172. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.The angle between the diagonals of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are 2i+4j−5k, i+2j+3k is (A) cos−1(697) (B) cos−1(7691) (C) cos−1(71) (D) cos−1(76931)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The diagonals of a parallelogram built from adjacent side vectors a,b are a+b and a−b; the angle between them follows from the dot-product formula.
Concept and Intuition
If a parallelogram has adjacent sides a and b (both starting from the same vertex), the two diagonals are a+b (the 'long' diagonal from that vertex to the opposite vertex) and a−b (the other diagonal). The angle between them is just the angle between these two vectors.
Step-by-Step Solution
- a=2i+4j−5k, b=i+2j+3k.
- d1=a+b=3i+6j−2k; d2=a−b=i+2j−8k.
- d1⋅d2=3(1)+6(2)+(−2)(−8)=3+12+16=31.
- ∣d1∣=9+36+4=49=7.
- ∣d2∣=1+4+64=69.
- cosθ=∣d1∣∣d2∣d1⋅d2=76931, so θ=cos−1(76931). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If the position vectors of A,B,C,D are iˉ+2jˉ+2kˉ, 2iˉ−jˉ, iˉ+jˉ+3kˉ and 4jˉ+5kˉ respectively, then the quadrilateral ABCD is a (A) square (B) rectangle (C) rhombus (D) parallelogram
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests recognizing a quadrilateral's type from vertex position vectors by comparing side vectors and lengths. ABCD is a rhombus.
Concept and Intuition
For a quadrilateral ABCD given by position vectors, first check AB=DC (opposite sides equal and parallel) to confirm it's a parallelogram. Then compare adjacent side lengths ∣AB∣ and ∣BC∣: if equal, all four sides are equal (rhombus); if additionally perpendicular, it's a square.
Step-by-Step Solution
- A=(1,2,2), B=(2,−1,0), C=(1,1,3), D=(0,4,5).
- AB=B−A=(1,−3,−2).
- DC=C−D=(1,−3,−2).
- Since AB=DC, ABCD is a parallelogram.
- BC=C−B=(−1,2,3), so ∣AB∣=1+9+4=14 and ∣BC∣=1+4+9=14 — equal adjacent sides.
- Since a parallelogram with equal adjacent sides has all sides equal, ABCD is a rhombus (or better, a square if adjacent sides are also perpendicular). …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.Let ABCD be a parallelogram and 2i+j, 4i+5j+4k and −i−4j−3k be the position vectors of the vertices A, B, D respectively. Then the position vector of one of the point of trisection of the diagonal AC is (A) 31(5i+2j−k) (B) 31(5i+2j+k) (C) 31(5i+4j+k) (D) 31(3i+2j+k)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the parallelogram diagonal-bisection property to find C, then compute the point one-third of the way from A to C. Answer: (B).
Concept and Intuition
In a parallelogram ABCD (vertices in order), the diagonals AC and BD bisect each other, so their midpoints coincide: 2A+C=2B+D⇒C=B+D−A. Once C is known, the two trisection points of segment AC are just the points at parameters 1/3 and 2/3 along it.
Step-by-Step Solution
- A=2i+j=(2,1,0), B=(4,5,4), D=(−1,−4,−3).
- C=B+D−A=(4−1−2, 5−4−1, 4−3−0)=(1,0,1)=i+k.
- C−A=(1−2, 0−1, 1−0)=(−1,−1,1).
- Trisection point nearer A: A+31(C−A)=(2,1,0)+31(−1,−1,1)=(35,32,31)=31(5i+2j+k). …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQQ.aˉ,bˉ are non-collinear vectors, ∣aˉ∣=22, ∣bˉ∣=3 and the angle between aˉ and bˉ is 450. Then the lengths of the diagonals of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are represented by the vectors 5aˉ+2bˉ and aˉ−3bˉ are (A) 15,593 (B) 15,593 (C) 225,593 (D) 225,593
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests using the parallelogram-diagonal sum/difference of two side vectors together with the
dot product; the diagonal lengths come out to 15 and 593.
Concept and Intuition
If a parallelogram has adjacent sides represented by vectors uˉ,vˉ from a common vertex,
its two diagonals are uˉ+vˉ and uˉ−vˉ (sum and difference). Their lengths are
found by expanding ∣uˉ±vˉ∣2=∣uˉ∣2+∣vˉ∣2±2uˉ⋅vˉ, which needs
only ∣uˉ∣,∣vˉ∣ and the angle between them.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Here uˉ=5aˉ+2bˉ and vˉ=aˉ−3bˉ.
- First find aˉ⋅bˉ=∣aˉ∣∣bˉ∣cos45∘=22×3×22=6. Also ∣aˉ∣2=8, ∣bˉ∣2=9.
- Diagonal 1: uˉ+vˉ=(5aˉ+2bˉ)+(aˉ−3bˉ)=6aˉ−bˉ.
∣6aˉ−bˉ∣2=36∣aˉ∣2−12(aˉ⋅bˉ)+∣bˉ∣2=36(8)−12(6)+9=288−72+9=225.
So this diagonal has length 225=15.
4. Diagonal 2: uˉ−vˉ=(5aˉ+2bˉ)−(aˉ−3bˉ)=4aˉ+5bˉ. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQQ.The figure formed by the four points (i^+j^−k^), (2i^+3j^), (5j^−2k^) and (k^−j^) is (A) Trapezium (B) Rectangle (C) Parallelogram (D) Quadrilateral
›Reveal solutionSolution
Testing the four side vectors for parallelism shows neither pair of opposite sides is parallel, ruling out trapezium/parallelogram/rectangle, leaving a general quadrilateral.
Concept and Intuition
To classify a quadrilateral from its vertices, compute the four side vectors (in the given cyclic order) and check whether opposite sides are parallel (trapezium/parallelogram) and/or equal in length with right angles (rectangle) — if none of these hold, it is simply a general quadrilateral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert the position vectors to coordinates: A=i^+j^−k^=(1,1,−1), B=2i^+3j^=(2,3,0), C=5j^−2k^=(0,5,−2), D=k^−j^=(0,−1,1).
- Side vectors: AB=B−A=(1,2,1), BC=C−B=(−2,2,−2), CD=D−C=(0,−6,3), DA=A−D=(1,2,−2).
- Check closure: AB+BC+CD+DA=(1−2+0+1,2+2−6+2,1−2+3−2)=(0,0,0) — confirms a valid closed quadrilateral.
- Check AB∥CD: ratios of components 1/0 (undefined), 2/(−6), 1/3 — not a consistent scalar, so NOT parallel. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQQ.ABCD is a parallelogram such that L is midpoint of BC, then AL is equal to (A) DC+21AD (B) 21AD+BC (C) 21AD+DL (D) 21AD+BL
›Reveal solutionSolution
Setting A as origin with AB=b and AD=d, the midpoint L of BC gives AL=b+21d, which equals DC+21AD since DC=AB.
Concept and Intuition
Vector problems in a parallelogram are cleanly solved using position vectors from one chosen vertex as the origin, expressing every other vertex/point in terms of the two "edge" vectors from that origin. Since opposite sides of a parallelogram are equal and parallel as vectors, this creates convenient substitution identities (like DC=AB) that let the same physical vector be written in different but equal notations.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Place A at the origin. Let AB=b and AD=d.
- Since ABCD is a parallelogram (vertices in order), C=B+BC, and BC=AD=d (opposite sides equal and parallel). So the position vector of C is b+d.
- L is the midpoint of BC: its position vector is the average of B's and C's position vectors: L=2b+(b+d)=22b+d=b+2d.
- So AL=L−A=b+21d (since A is the origin).
- Now express this in the form given by the options: note DC=C−D=(b+d)−d=b. So b=DC. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-AN1 markMCQQ.M and N are the mid points of the sides BC and CD of a parallelogram ABCD respectively then AM+AN= (A) 31AC (B) 32AC (C) 43AC (D) 23AC
›Reveal solutionSolution
Assign position vectors with A as origin, express M and N as midpoints, and add the resulting vectors — the answer falls out as a clean multiple of AC.
Concept and Intuition
In a parallelogram ABCD, placing A at the origin makes AC=AB+AD (diagonal = sum of adjacent sides). Since M,N are midpoints of BC,CD, their position vectors are simple averages, and summing AM+AN naturally collects into a multiple of AB+AD=AC.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let A be the origin, AB=b, AD=d. Since ABCD is a parallelogram, C=B+D−A=b+d (as vectors from A).
- M = midpoint of BC: AM=2b+(b+d)=b+2d.
- N = midpoint of CD: AN=2(b+d)+d=2b+d. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-AN1 markMCQQ.Let OA=−4iˉ+3kˉ, OB=14iˉ+2jˉ−5kˉ. OD bisects ∠AOB and ∣OD∣=6, then OD= (A) ±(iˉ+jˉ+2kˉ) (B) ±(iˉ+2jˉ+kˉ) (C) ±(2iˉ+jˉ+kˉ) (D) ±21(2iˉ+jˉ+7kˉ)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The internal angle bisector direction of two vectors is along the sum of their unit vectors; scale this direction to have the given magnitude to get OD.
Concept and Intuition
For two vectors a,b from a common point O, the direction that bisects the angle between them is a^+b^ (sum of unit vectors) — this is a standard vector-geometry fact, since it "averages" the two directions with equal weight regardless of their original magnitudes.
Step-by-Step Solution
- OA=−4iˉ+3kˉ, ∣OA∣=16+0+9=5. Unit vector a^=(−54,0,53).
- OB=14iˉ+2jˉ−5kˉ, ∣OB∣=196+4+25=225=15. Unit vector b^=(1514,152,−31).
- Bisector direction a^+b^: x: −54+1514=−1512+1514=152; y: 0+152=152; z: 53−31=159−155=154.
- So a^+b^=152(1,1,2), i.e., direction ∝(1,1,2), with ∣(1,1,2)∣=1+1+4=6. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-AN1 markMCQQ.If the position vectors of the points A, B, C, D are 7iˉ−4jˉ+7kˉ, iˉ−6jˉ+10kˉ, −iˉ−3jˉ+4kˉ, 5iˉ−jˉ+5kˉ respectively, then ABCD is (A) a parallelogram but not rhombus (B) a square (C) a quadrilateral which is not a parallelogram (D) a rectangle
›Reveal solutionSolution
The midpoints of diagonals AC and BD don't coincide, so ABCD is not a parallelogram; that immediately rules out square and rectangle too.
Concept and Intuition
A quadrilateral ABCD is a parallelogram exactly when its diagonals bisect each other, i.e. the midpoint of AC equals the midpoint of BD, equivalently A+C=B+D (as position vectors). Checking this single vector equation is faster than computing all four side lengths.
Step-by-Step Solution
- A=7iˉ−4jˉ+7kˉ, C=−iˉ−3jˉ+4kˉ⇒A+C=6iˉ−7jˉ+11kˉ.
- B=iˉ−6jˉ+10kˉ, D=5iˉ−jˉ+5kˉ⇒B+D=6iˉ−7jˉ+15kˉ.
- Since A+C=B+D (the k-components differ: 11=15), the diagonals do NOT bisect each other.
- Therefore ABCD is not a parallelogram — and consequently cannot be a square or rectangle (both are special parallelograms). …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.If aˉ,bˉ be two non collinear vectors and the vector aˉ+bˉ bisects the angle between aˉ and bˉ, then (A) ∣aˉ∣=∣bˉ∣ (B) angle between aˉ,bˉ is 00 (or) π (C) aˉ,bˉ always form adjacent sides of a square. (D) aˉ,bˉ always form adjacent sides of a rectangle.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The sum vector bisecting the angle between two non-collinear vectors is the classic rhombus-diagonal property, giving ∣aˉ∣=∣bˉ∣.
Concept and Intuition
Geometrically, aˉ and bˉ are adjacent sides of a parallelogram with diagonal aˉ+bˉ from the common vertex. That diagonal bisects the vertex angle exactly when the parallelogram is a rhombus (equal adjacent sides) — this is a standard fact about parallelograms, not specific to squares or rectangles.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let θ be the angle between aˉ and bˉ, and let cˉ=aˉ+bˉ bisect it.
- The angle bisector condition (via the formula for the internal bisector direction of two vectors) is: the bisector direction is a^+b^ (unit vectors), i.e. proportional to ∣aˉ∣aˉ+∣bˉ∣bˉ. …
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.