Q.If a=i^+j^+k^ and b=j^−k^, find a vector c such that a×c=b and a⋅c=3.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Perpendicular Vectors Condition
Perpendicular Vectors Condition
Two arrows that meet at a right angle — one east, one north — are perpendicular (or orthogonal) vectors. How do you check this without a protractor, especially in 3D where the angle is hard to draw?
The Idea: Zero Overlap
When two vectors are perpendicular, neither "borrows" any length from the other: walking along one makes zero progress in the direction of the other. The tool that measures this overlap is the dot product.
a⊥b⟺a⋅b=0
Why? Using a⋅b=∥a∥∥b∥cosθ, a right angle gives cos90∘=0, so the dot product vanishes. In coordinates, for a=(a1,a2,a3) and b=(b1,b2,b3),
a⋅b=a1b1+a2b2+a3b3,
and you simply check whether this sum is 0.
Examples
2D: a=(3,4), b=(4,−3): 3(4)+4(−3)=12−12=0 — perpendicular. (In general (x,y) and (y,−x) are always perpendicular.)
3D: p=(1,2,3), q=(2,−1,0): 2−2+0=0 — perpendicular.
Not every pair qualifies: (2,1)⋅(1,3)=2+3=5=0, so those two are not perpendicular.
In dimensions above 3 we cannot picture the right angle, but the test is unchanged: dot product =0 still defines orthogonality.
Why It Matters …
Key idea: write c=xi^+yj^+zk^, turn a×c=b and a⋅c=3 into equations, and solve.
Step 1 — Cross product. With a=i^+j^+k^,
a×c=(z−y)i^+(x−z)j^+(y−x)k^=j^−k^.
Matching components: z−y=0, x−z=1, y−x=−1 (the third repeats the first two).
Step 2 — Dot product. x+y+z=3. …
Writing c=(x,y,z) and imposing a×c=b and a⋅c=3 gives z=y, x=z+1, x+y+z=3, so c=35i^+32j^+32k^.
We must find a vector c satisfying two conditions. A cross-product condition alone fixes only the part of c perpendicular to a; the extra dot-product condition pins down the part along a. Together they determine c uniquely.
1. Set up unknown components
Let c=xi^+yj^+zk^. Here a=i^+j^+k^ and b=j^−k^.
2. Cross-product condition
a×c=i^1xj^1yk^1z=(z−y)i^+(x−z)j^+(y−x)k^.
Setting this equal to b=0i^+j^−k^ gives
z−y=0(1),x−z=1(2),y−x=−1(3).
Equation (3) is just (1) and (2) combined, so it carries no new information.
3. Dot-product condition
a⋅c=x+y+z=3(4).
4. Solve the system …
Method: Solving for an Unknown Vector from Cross- and Dot-Product Conditions
Use this whenever an unknown vector c must satisfy a cross-product equation a×c=b together with a dot-product equation a⋅c=k.
Steps
Step 1: Introduce components
Write c=xi^+yj^+zk^, turning the vector conditions into ordinary scalar equations in x,y,z.
Step 2: Convert the cross product into component equations
Expand a×c with the determinant and equate it component-by-component to b. This gives three equations, but they are dependent — the cross product is always perpendicular to a — so only two are independent.
Step 3: Add the dot-product equation for the third constraint …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Getting the cross-product order (and hence sign) wrong
Why it's wrong: a×c=−(c×a), so building the determinant with the rows swapped flips every component and gives −b. Correct approach: keep a in the second row and c in the third to match a×c.
Mistake 2: Treating all three cross-product component equations as independent
Why it's wrong: the cross product is always perpendicular to a, so its three scalar equations are dependent — one is redundant. Correct approach: use two of them together with the dot-product equation. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 25 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.aˉ=iˉ−jˉ+kˉ, bˉ=2iˉ+jˉ+kˉ are two vectors and cˉ is a unit vector lying in the plane of aˉ and bˉ. If cˉ is perpendicular to bˉ then cˉ.(iˉ+jˉ+2kˉ)= (A) 0 (B) 5 (C) 211 (D) 212
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests finding a unit vector coplanar with two given vectors and perpendicular to one of them; the required dot product works out to 211.
Concept and Intuition
Any vector in the plane spanned by aˉ and bˉ can be written as a linear combination maˉ+nbˉ. Imposing perpendicularity to bˉ gives one linear equation in m,n, pinning down the direction of cˉ up to a scalar (which is then fixed by the unit-length condition).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let cˉ=maˉ+nbˉ where aˉ=(1,−1,1), bˉ=(2,1,1).
- cˉ⋅bˉ=0⇒m(aˉ⋅bˉ)+n(bˉ⋅bˉ)=0.
- aˉ⋅bˉ=1(2)+(−1)(1)+1(1)=2−1+1=2. bˉ⋅bˉ=4+1+1=6.
- So 2m+6n=0⇒m=−3n.
- cˉ∥−3naˉ+nbˉ=n(−3aˉ+bˉ)=n((−3,3,−3)+(2,1,1))=n(−1,4,−2).
- Direction vector (−1,4,−2) has magnitude 1+16+4=21, so the unit vector is ±21(−1,4,−2). …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If aˉ=2iˉ+3jˉ,bˉ=3jˉ+4kˉ and cˉ=5iˉ+4kˉ are three vectors, then a vector which is perpendicular to aˉ and bˉ×cˉ is (A) 45iˉ−30jˉ+15kˉ (B) 3iˉ−2jˉ+kˉ (C) −30iˉ+20jˉ+4kˉ (D) −45iˉ+30jˉ+4kˉ
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the vector-triple-product idea: a vector perpendicular to both aˉ and bˉ×cˉ is simply aˉ×(bˉ×cˉ).
Concept and Intuition
The cross product of any two vectors is perpendicular to both of them. So if we want a single vector perpendicular to aˉ AND to bˉ×cˉ, the natural candidate is aˉ×(bˉ×cˉ) — it is perpendicular to aˉ by definition of cross product, and perpendicular to bˉ×cˉ for the same reason. No need to invoke the full triple-product expansion formula; we just compute it directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given aˉ=2iˉ+3jˉ+0kˉ, bˉ=0iˉ+3jˉ+4kˉ, cˉ=5iˉ+0jˉ+4kˉ.
- Compute bˉ×cˉ=iˉ05jˉ30kˉ44 =iˉ(3⋅4−4⋅0)−jˉ(0⋅4−4⋅5)+kˉ(0⋅0−3⋅5)=12iˉ+20jˉ−15kˉ.
- Compute aˉ×(bˉ×cˉ)=iˉ212jˉ320kˉ0−15 …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.The vector of magnitude 2 lying in the plane of aˉ=2iˉ−jˉ+kˉ and bˉ=iˉ+3jˉ−5kˉ and perpendicular to the vector cˉ=iˉ+jˉ+kˉ is (A) 612(4iˉ+5jˉ−9kˉ) (B) 92(2iˉ+3jˉ−5kˉ) (C) 312(iˉ+5jˉ−6kˉ) (D) 132(−iˉ−3jˉ+4kˉ)
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests writing a vector "in the plane of aˉ,bˉ" as a linear combination αaˉ+βbˉ, using perpendicularity to cˉ to pin the ratio α:β, and finally scaling the resulting direction to the required magnitude.
Concept and Intuition
Every vector lying in the plane spanned by aˉ and bˉ is some linear combination αaˉ+βbˉ — that's what "lying in the plane" means. The extra condition (perpendicular to cˉ) gives one linear equation in α,β, which fixes their ratio (the direction is determined up to an overall scale). The magnitude condition then fixes that scale.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let dˉ=αaˉ+βbˉ for some scalars α,β (this covers every vector in the plane of aˉ,bˉ).
- Require dˉ⋅cˉ=0: α(aˉ⋅cˉ)+β(bˉ⋅cˉ)=0.
- aˉ⋅cˉ=(2)(1)+(−1)(1)+(1)(1)=2−1+1=2. bˉ⋅cˉ=(1)(1)+(3)(1)+(−5)(1)=1+3−5=−1.
- So 2α−β=0⇒β=2α. Taking α=1,β=2: direction =aˉ+2bˉ=(2+2,−1+6,1−10)=(4,5,−9).
- Magnitude of this direction: 42+52+(−9)2=16+25+81=122. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.Let aˉ=3iˉ−jˉ−kˉ, bˉ=iˉ+jˉ−2kˉ and cˉ=2iˉ+2jˉ+kˉ. Let dˉ be a vector such that ∣dˉ∣=2 units. If the vector dˉ is coplanar with aˉ,bˉ and perpendicular to cˉ, then dˉ= (A) ±51(3iˉ−5jˉ+4kˉ) (B) ±51(−4iˉ+5jˉ−3kˉ) (C) ±51(3iˉ+5jˉ−4kˉ) (D) ±51(−3iˉ+5jˉ+4kˉ)
›Reveal solutionSolution
dˉ coplanar with aˉ,bˉ means dˉ=xaˉ+ybˉ; perpendicularity to cˉ fixes the ratio x:y; the given magnitude fixes the scale. The answer is (A).
Concept and Intuition
"Coplanar with aˉ,bˉ" means dˉ lies in the plane spanned by aˉ and bˉ, so it can be written as a linear combination dˉ=xaˉ+ybˉ for some scalars x,y (this is exactly what "coplanar with two given vectors, through the origin" means). The perpendicularity condition dˉ⋅cˉ=0 then gives one constraint relating x and y, so dˉ is pinned down up to a single scalar multiple — which the given magnitude ∣dˉ∣=2 finally fixes (up to sign, since both directions along that line satisfy all the stated conditions).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given aˉ=(3,−1,−1), bˉ=(1,1,−2), cˉ=(2,2,1).
- Since dˉ is coplanar with aˉ,bˉ, write dˉ=xaˉ+ybˉ=(3x+y,−x+y,−x−2y).
- Perpendicularity to cˉ: dˉ⋅cˉ=0:
2(3x+y)+2(−x+y)+1(−x−2y)=0
6x+2y−2x+2y−x−2y=0⟹3x+2y=0⟹y=−23x.
- Substitute back:
dˉ=(3x−23x, −x−23x, −x+3x)=(23x,−25x,2x).
Let x=2t to clear fractions: dˉ=(3t,−5t,4t)=t(3,−5,4). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.aˉ,bˉ,cˉ are unit vectors. If aˉ,bˉ are perpendicular vectors, (aˉ−cˉ).(bˉ+cˉ)=0 and cˉ=laˉ+mbˉ+n(aˉ×bˉ); (l, m, n are scalars), then n2= (A) l2+m2 (B) −2lm (C) 2l−2m (D) lm+l+m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Because aˉ,bˉ,aˉ×bˉ form an orthonormal triad, decomposing cˉ in this basis and using the given perpendicularity condition shows n2=−2lm.
Concept and Intuition
When aˉ and bˉ are perpendicular unit vectors, aˉ×bˉ is automatically a unit vector too (since ∣aˉ×bˉ∣=∣aˉ∣∣bˉ∣sin90°=1) and is perpendicular to both aˉ and bˉ. So {aˉ,bˉ,aˉ×bˉ} is an orthonormal basis — any vector's components along these three directions are just its dot products with each, and its squared magnitude is simply the sum of squared components (Pythagoras in 3D).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since aˉ⊥bˉ and both are unit vectors, aˉ.bˉ=0 and {aˉ,bˉ,aˉ×bˉ} is orthonormal.
- Expand (aˉ−cˉ).(bˉ+cˉ)=0: aˉ.bˉ+aˉ.cˉ−cˉ.bˉ−cˉ.cˉ=0.
- Since aˉ.bˉ=0 and cˉ.cˉ=∣cˉ∣2=1 (unit vector): aˉ.cˉ−bˉ.cˉ−1=0⇒aˉ.cˉ−bˉ.cˉ=1.
- Given cˉ=laˉ+mbˉ+n(aˉ×bˉ), dot with aˉ: aˉ.cˉ=l(aˉ.aˉ)+m(aˉ.bˉ)+n⋅aˉ.(aˉ×bˉ)=l(1)+m(0)+n(0)=l (since aˉ.(aˉ×bˉ)=0, a vector is always perpendicular to a cross product it's part of).
- Similarly, dot with bˉ: bˉ.cˉ=l(bˉ.aˉ)+m(bˉ.bˉ)+n⋅bˉ.(aˉ×bˉ)=0+m(1)+0=m.
- From step 3: l−m=1. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.A unit vector that is perpendicular to the vector 2iˉ−jˉ+2kˉ and coplanar with the vectors iˉ+jˉ−kˉ and 2iˉ+2jˉ−kˉ is (A) 6iˉ+2jˉ+kˉ (B) 173iˉ+2jˉ−2kˉ (C) 32iˉ+2jˉ−kˉ (D) 173iˉ+2jˉ+2kˉ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Write the general coplanar combination of the two given vectors as ap+bq, impose perpendicularity to the third vector to pin down a=0, then normalize the resulting direction.
Concept and Intuition
"Coplanar with p and q" means the target vector is some linear combination ap+bq (this spans exactly the plane through the origin containing both). Imposing perpendicularity to a third given vector is then just one linear equation in a,b — it typically forces a ratio (or here, forces one coefficient to vanish entirely), collapsing the family to a single direction, which we then normalize to a unit vector.
Step-by-Step Solution
- General coplanar vector: v=a(iˉ+jˉ−kˉ)+b(2iˉ+2jˉ−kˉ)=(a+2b)iˉ+(a+2b)jˉ+(−a−b)kˉ.
- Require v⊥(2iˉ−jˉ+2kˉ): 2(a+2b)−1(a+2b)+2(−a−b)=0.
- Simplify: (a+2b)(2−1)+2(−a−b)=(a+2b)−2a−2b=−a.
- So the condition reduces to −a=0⇒a=0.
- With a=0: v=b(2iˉ+2jˉ−kˉ), i.e. v is parallel to 2iˉ+2jˉ−kˉ.
- Magnitude of 2iˉ+2jˉ−kˉ is 4+4+1=3. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.The number of vectors of unit length perpendicular to the two vectors a=(1,1,0) and b=(0,1,1) is (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) Infinite
›Reveal solutionSolution
The cross product gives one direction perpendicular to both vectors, and its two unit multiples (+ and −) are the only unit vectors satisfying the condition.
Concept and Intuition
Any vector perpendicular to two given non-parallel vectors must be a scalar multiple of their cross product; normalizing gives exactly two opposite unit vectors.
Step-by-Step Solution
- a=(1,1,0), b=(0,1,1).
- a×b=i^10j^11k^01=i^(1⋅1−0⋅1)−j^(1⋅1−0⋅0)+k^(1⋅1−1⋅0)=(1,−1,1). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If a and b are two vectors such that ∣a∣=2, ∣b∣=3 and a+tb and a−tb are perpendicular, where 't' is a positive scalar, then (A) t=±32 (B) t=94 (C) t=32 (D) t=92
›Reveal solutionSolution
Perpendicularity of a+tb and a−tb forces ∣a∣2=t2∣b∣2, giving the positive value t=2/3.
Concept and Intuition
Two vectors are perpendicular exactly when their dot product is zero. Expanding (a+tb)⋅(a−tb) using the distributive property of the dot product collapses to a simple difference of squared magnitudes, since a⋅b cancels.
Step-by-Step Solution
- (a+tb)⋅(a−tb)=a⋅a−ta⋅b+tb⋅a−t2b⋅b=∣a∣2−t2∣b∣2.
- Setting this to zero (perpendicularity): ∣a∣2=t2∣b∣2.
- Substitute ∣a∣=2, ∣b∣=3: 4=9t2⇒t2=94. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If a=23k^, b=22i^+2j^−k^, then angle between a+b and a−b is (A) 45∘ (B) 90∘ (C) 30∘ (D) 60∘
›Reveal solutionSolution
Computing (a+b)⋅(a−b) gives zero, so the two vectors are perpendicular.
Concept and Intuition
Two vectors are perpendicular exactly when their dot product vanishes. Rather than compute the angle via magnitudes and cosine, it's fastest to just test (a+b)⋅(a−b)=∣a∣2−∣b∣2 or, more generally here, expand directly since a,b aren't simply given by magnitude alone (they have specific components).
Step-by-Step Solution
- a=23k^=(0,0,23).
- b=22i^+2j^−k^=i^+j^−21k^=(1,1,−21).
- a+b=(1,1,23−21)=(1,1,1).
- a−b=(−1,−1,23+21)=(−1,−1,2).
- Dot product: (1)(−1)+(1)(−1)+(1)(2)=−1−1+2=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-AN1 markMCQQ.Let a=2i−3j−5k and b=3i+2j−5k be two vectors and r be a vector in the plane of a and b. If r is orthogonal to the vector 5i−2j+3k and the magnitude of r is 94, then ∣r⋅b∣= (A) 36 (B) 38 (C) 42 (D) 46
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since r is in the plane of a,b and perpendicular to n, it must be parallel to (a×b)×n; scaling this to the given magnitude 94 and dotting with b gives ∣r⋅b∣=46.
Concept and Intuition
Two conditions pin down r's direction uniquely (up to sign and scale): (1) r lies in the plane of a,b, meaning r⊥N where N=a×b is the plane's normal; (2) r⊥n (given). A vector perpendicular to both N and n must be parallel to N×n.
Step-by-Step Solution
- a=(2,−3,−5), b=(3,2,−5). Compute N=a×b: Ni=(−3)(−5)−(−5)(2)=15+10=25 Nj=−[(2)(−5)−(−5)(3)]=−[−10+15]=−5 Nk=(2)(2)−(−3)(3)=4+9=13 So N=(25,−5,13).
- n=(5,−2,3). Compute N×n: i: (−5)(3)−(13)(−2)=−15+26=11 j: −[(25)(3)−(13)(5)]=−[75−65]=−10 k: (25)(−2)−(−5)(5)=−50+25=−25 So N×n=(11,−10,−25).
- r=λ(11,−10,−25) for some scalar λ. ∣N×n∣2=121+100+625=846.
- ∣r∣2=λ2(846)=94⇒λ2=84694=91⇒λ=±31. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.If the equation of the plane passing through the points (1,−3,2), (−2,3,1) and perpendicular to the plane x+2y−3z=0 is ax+by+cz+d=0, then c+da+b= (A) 113 (B) 13 (C) 1113 (D) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests finding a plane through two points and perpendicular to another plane, using the cross product of the connecting direction vector and the given plane's normal. Answer: 13.
Concept and Intuition
A plane's normal vector must be perpendicular to every direction lying in the plane. Since the plane contains points P1(1,−3,2) and P2(−2,3,1), the vector P1P2 lies in the plane, so the required normal n=(a,b,c) satisfies n⋅P1P2=0. Also, "perpendicular to the plane x+2y−3z=0" means the two planes' normals are perpendicular, so n⋅(1,2,−3)=0. A vector perpendicular to both P1P2 and (1,2,−3) is simply their cross product.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Direction vector: d=P2−P1=(−2−1,3−(−3),1−2)=(−3,6,−1).
- Normal of given plane: n2=(1,2,−3).
- Required normal: n=d×n2=i−31j62k−1−3 =i(6(−3)−(−1)(2))−j((−3)(−3)−(−1)(1))+k((−3)(2)−6(1)) =i(−18+2)−j(9+1)+k(−6−6)=(−16,−10,−12). …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.Let π be the plane passing through the point (3, -3, 1) and perpendicular to the line joining the points (3, 4, -1) and (2, -1, 5). If the equation of the plane containing the points (3, 4, -1), (-1, 2, 5) and perpendicular to the plane π is ax+y+cz−d=0 then 3(a+c)= (A) −d (B) 2d (C) d (D) −2d
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find π's normal from the given perpendicular line, then build the required plane's normal as a cross product (perpendicular to π's normal and lying along the given two points), and match coefficients.
Concept and Intuition
A plane through two points and perpendicular to another plane has a normal that must be perpendicular both to the direction joining the two points (since that line lies in the plane) and to the normal of the other plane (since the planes are perpendicular). That normal is exactly the cross product of those two vectors.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Direction of the line joining (3,4,−1) and (2,−1,5): (2−3,−1−4,5−(−1))=(−1,−5,6) — this is normal to π.
- π through (3,−3,1): −1(x−3)−5(y+3)+6(z−1)=0⇒−x−5y+6z−18=0, i.e. normal n1=(1,5,−6) (up to sign).
- Direction joining (3,4,−1) and (−1,2,5): (−4,−2,6)=d.
- Normal of the required plane: n2=n1×d=(1,5,−6)×(−4,−2,6). Computing: i:(5⋅6−(−6)(−2))=18; j:−(1⋅6−(−6)(−4))=18; k:(1⋅(−2)−5(−4))=18. So n2=(18,18,18)∥(1,1,1). …
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