Q.If πβ = 3πΜ + 2πΜ + 4πΜ , πββ = πΜ + πΜ β 3πΜ and πβ = 6πΜ β πΜ + 2πΜ are three given vectors, then (2πβ. πΜ)πΜ β (πββ. πΜ)πΜ + (πβ. πΜ)πΜ is same as the vector
(A) πβ
(B) πββ + πβ
(C) πβ β πββ
(D) πβ
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π Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution βConcept understanding β Vector Component Extraction
Vector Component Extraction: The Intuition
Imagine pushing a heavy box across the floor at an angle β not straight forward, but slightly downward. Some of your effort moves the box forward, and some presses it into the floor. The force you apply is a single vector, but its effect splits into two independent directions: horizontal and vertical.
That splitting is vector component extraction. Any vector can be seen as the sum of two (or three) simpler vectors pointing along chosen reference directions β usually the coordinate axes. Each of those simpler vectors is a component.
"Component" means "a part of a whole." In vectors, the components are the parts that add up to give the original vector.
The Precise Statement
Given a vector v in a plane, and perpendicular axes x and y, the components of v are its projections onto those axes:
v=vxβi^+vyβj^β
where i^ and j^β are unit vectors along the x and y axes, and vxβ, vyβ are scalar components (numbers, possibly negative).
If v makes an angle ΞΈ from the positive x-axis, then:
vxβ=β£vβ£cosΞΈandvyβ=β£vβ£sinΞΈ
ComponentΒ alongΒ anΒ axis=(magnitudeΒ ofΒ vector)Γcos(angleΒ betweenΒ vectorΒ andΒ thatΒ axis)
Why This Works: The Geometry
Draw a vector from the origin. Drop a perpendicular from its tip to the x-axis β that gives vxβ. Drop another to the y-axis β that gives vyβ. The original vector is the diagonal of the rectangle formed by vxβ and vyβ. This is the Pythagorean theorem in reverse: if you know the hypotenuse and one angle, trigonometry gives you the legs.
A Concrete Example
A force of 10 N acts at 30β above the horizontal.
- Fxβ=10cos30β=10Γ23ββ=53ββ8.66 N
- Fyβ=10sin30β=10Γ21β=5 N
So the force vector is 8.66i^+5j^β N.
A common mistake: using sin for the horizontal component and cos for the vertical. Check: if the angle is measured from the x-axis, the side adjacent to it is along x β that's cos; the opposite side is along y β that's sin.
Why This Matters β¦
Concept: Vector Component Extraction β each dot product with a unit vector isolates the corresponding component of the vector.
Step 1: Compute each dot product.
2aβ i^=2(3)=6
bβ j^β=1
cβ k^=2
Step 2: Multiply each scalar by its unit vector.
(6)i^β(1)j^β+(2)k^=6i^βj^β+2k^ β¦
The expression extracts the x-component of 2a, the y-component of b, and the z-component of c, then combines them into a single vector. The result is 6i^βj^β+2k^, which is exactly c.
The key idea here is vector component extraction. When you dot a vector with a unit vector like i^, you get the scalar component of that vector along the x-axis. Multiplying that scalar back by i^ gives you the vector component along x β essentially, youβre picking out just the x-part of the original vector.
So the expression (2aβ i^)i^β(bβ j^β)j^β+(cβ k^)k^ is doing exactly this: it takes the x-component of 2a, the y-component of b (with a minus sign), and the z-component of c, and assembles them into a new vector. No mixing of axes happens β each term lives on its own coordinate axis.
Letβs work it out.
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First term: (2aβ i^)i^
a=3i^+2j^β+4k^, so 2a=6i^+4j^β+8k^.
Dotting with i^ picks out the x-component: 2aβ i^=6.
Multiplying back by i^ gives 6i^.
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Second term: β(bβ j^β)j^β
b=i^+j^ββ3k^, so bβ j^β=1.
With the minus sign, this becomes β1β j^β=βj^β.
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Third term: +(cβ k^)k^
c=6i^βj^β+2k^, so cβ k^=2.
Multiplying by k^ gives 2k^.
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Combine them:
6i^βj^β+2k^.
Now compare with the given options:
- a=3i^+2j^β+4k^ β not a match. β¦
Method: Isolating a component with the dot-then-scale pattern
Use this whenever an expression is built from pieces of the form (vβ i^)i^, (vβ j^β)j^β or (vβ k^)k^ and you must simplify it to a single vector.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise what (vβ u^)u^ does.
Dotting a vector with a unit axis vector returns the scalar component along that axis; multiplying that scalar back by the same unit vector rebuilds only the piece of v on that axis. So (vβ i^)i^ is nothing but the i^-part of v β the axes never mix.
Step 2: Read each scalar component off directly.
For any v=xi^+yj^β+zk^,
vβ i^=x,vβ j^β=y,vβ k^=z. β¦
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Dropping the scalar 2 inside (2aβ i^)i^.
Why it's wrong: the factor 2 scales the whole term, so 2aβ i^=2(3)=6, not 3. Correct approach: apply the coefficient to the component you extract before comparing with the options.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the minus sign in front of (bβ j^β)j^β.
Why it's wrong: the expression subtracts the j^β piece, so the middle term is βj^β, not +j^β. Correct approach: carry each term's own sign into the assembled vector.
Mistake 3: Mixing components across vectors. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If the resultant of three vectors AΛ=βi^+2j^β+3k^, BΛ=β2i^βj^ββ4k^ and CΛ is a vector in the positive z-direction with a magnitude of 2 units, then the vector CΛ= (A) 3i^βj^β+3k^ (B) 3i^β2j^ββ3k^ (C) 2i^β3j^β+2k^ (D) 2i^+3j^ββ2k^
βΊReveal solutionSolution
This is a direct vector-addition problem: knowing the resultant of A,B,C is 2k^, we solve for C by subtraction. The answer is C=3i^βj^β+3k^.
Concept and Intuition
If three vectors sum to a known resultant, the unknown one is just the resultant minus the sum of the known ones β vector subtraction is done component-by-component, independently along i^, j^β, k^.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given A=βi^+2j^β+3k^ and B=β2i^βj^ββ4k^.
- Add them: A+B=(β1β2)i^+(2β1)j^β+(3β4)k^=β3i^+j^ββk^.
- The resultant A+B+C is a vector along +z^ with magnitude 2, i.e. A+B+C=2k^. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-FN1 markMCQQ.The component of a vector P=3i^+4j^β along the direction (i^+2j^β) is (A) 5β8β (B) 5β11β (C) 211β (D) 10β
βΊReveal solutionSolution
This tests finding the scalar component of a vector along a given direction using the dot product with the unit vector of that direction.
Concept and Intuition
The component of P along a direction is the projection of P onto the unit vector of that direction: Pβ n^, where n^ is obtained by normalizing the given direction vector.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Direction vector: i^+2j^β, magnitude =12+22β=5β.
- Unit vector: n^=5βi^+2j^ββ.
- P=3i^+4j^β. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If the vector components of a vector aΛ along a vector bΛ=4iΛ+5jΛβ+3kΛ and perpendicular to bΛ are respectively 257β(4iΛ+5jΛβ+3kΛ) and 251β(47iΛβ10jΛββ46kΛ) then β£aΛβ£2= (A) 6 (B) 9 (C) 11 (D) 17
βΊReveal solutionSolution
The vector equals the sum of its parallel and perpendicular components β add them and square the magnitude.
Concept and Intuition
Any vector decomposes uniquely into a component along a given direction plus a component perpendicular to it; the two given pieces ARE that decomposition, so aΛ is simply their vector sum, no projection formula needed.
Step-by-Step Solution
- aΛ=257β(4iΛ+5jΛβ+3kΛ)+251β(47iΛβ10jΛββ46kΛ).
- iΛ-component: 257Γ4+47β=2528+47β=2575β=3.
- jΛβ-component: 257Γ5β10β=2535β10β=2525β=1.
- kΛ-component: 257Γ3β46β=2521β46β=25β25β=β1. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-FN1 markMCQQ.If two vectors A and B are mutually perpendicular, then the component of Aβ B along the direction of A+B is (A) β£Aβ£2+β£Bβ£2β (B) β£Aβ£2ββ£Bβ£2β (C) β£Aβ£2+β£Bβ£2ββ£Aβ£2ββ£Bβ£2β (D) β£Aβ£2ββ£Bβ£2ββ£Aβ£2+β£Bβ£2β
βΊReveal solutionSolution
This is the standard problem of finding the component of (AβB) along (A+B) for two mutually perpendicular vectors β a scalar cannot have a directional component, so the intended quantity must be a vector combination, and only this reading matches a listed option exactly.
Concept and Intuition
The component of any vector V along a direction n^ is Vβ n^. Here the natural vector to project is (AβB) along (A+B). Since Aβ₯B, we know Aβ B=0, which simplifies both the dot product and the magnitude of A+B nicely (Pythagoras-like).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Unit vector along A+B: n^=β£A+Bβ£A+Bβ.
- Since Aβ₯B, Aβ B=0, so β£A+Bβ£2=β£Aβ£2+β£Bβ£2+2Aβ B=β£Aβ£2+β£Bβ£2, giving β£A+Bβ£=β£Aβ£2+β£Bβ£2β.
- Component of (AβB) along n^: (AβB)β n^=β£A+Bβ£(AβB)β (A+B)β.
- Expand numerator: (AβB)β (A+B)=β£Aβ£2βAβ B+Bβ Aββ£Bβ£2=β£Aβ£2ββ£Bβ£2 (using Aβ B=0). β¦
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If Ξ±, Ξ² and Ξ³ are the angles made by a vector with x, y and z axes respectively, then sin2Ξ±+sin2Ξ²= (A) sin2Ξ³ (B) cos2Ξ³ (C) 1+cos2Ξ³ (D) 1+sin2Ξ³
βΊReveal solutionSolution
This tests the fundamental identity of direction cosines, cos2Ξ±+cos2Ξ²+cos2Ξ³=1. Rearranging gives sin2Ξ±+sin2Ξ²=1+cos2Ξ³, option (C).
Concept and Intuition
For any vector in 3D space, the direction cosines with respect to the three coordinate axes always satisfy l2+m2+n2=1 where l=cosΞ±, m=cosΞ², n=cosΞ³. This single identity is the key to relating any combination of these angles' sines and cosines.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Direction cosine identity: cos2Ξ±+cos2Ξ²+cos2Ξ³=1.
- Use sin2ΞΈ=1βcos2ΞΈ for each of Ξ±,Ξ²:
sin2Ξ±+sin2Ξ²=(1βcos2Ξ±)+(1βcos2Ξ²)=2β(cos2Ξ±+cos2Ξ²).
- From the identity, cos2Ξ±+cos2Ξ²=1βcos2Ξ³.
- Substitute: sin2Ξ±+sin2Ξ²=2β(1βcos2Ξ³)=1+cos2Ξ³.
Common Mistakes β¦
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.One of the rectangular components of a force of 40Β N is 203βΒ N. What is the other rectangular component? (A) 10Β N (B) 20Β N (C) 30Β N (D) 25Β N
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Since the two rectangular components combine via Pythagoras to give the resultant, the missing component is 402β(203β)2β=20N.
Concept and Intuition
Rectangular components of a force are mutually perpendicular, so the magnitude of the resultant is the hypotenuse of a right triangle whose legs are the two components: Fresultant2β=Fx2β+Fy2β.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let the resultant force be F=40N, one component F1β=203βN, and the other component F2β unknown.
- By Pythagoras: F2=F12β+F22ββF22β=F2βF12β.
- Compute F12β=(203β)2=400Γ3=1200.
- Compute F2=402=1600. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.A vector P directed along the x-axis is added to vector Qβ which has a magnitude of 10 m. The resultant vector is directed along the y-axis, with a magnitude that is 2 times that of P. The magnitude of P is (A) 10β m (B) 52β m (C) 6 m (D) 25β m
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Setting the resultant's x-component to zero and its y-component to 2P, and using β£Qββ£=10, gives P=25β m.
Concept and Intuition
Vector addition in components: if the sum of two vectors points purely along one axis, the components along the other axis must cancel exactly. This gives one equation; combined with the given magnitude of Qβ, we get a second equation β enough to solve for P.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let P=(P,0) since it's along the x-axis, and Qβ=(Qxβ,Qyβ) with β£Qββ£=10βQx2β+Qy2β=100.
- Resultant R=P+Qβ=(P+Qxβ,Β Qyβ). Since R is along the y-axis, its x-component is zero: P+Qxβ=0βQxβ=βP.
- R's magnitude is given as 2P (twice that of P), and since R is purely along y: β£Rβ£=β£Qyββ£=2P. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If the magnitude of a vector pΛβ is 25 units and its y-component is 7 units, then its x-component is (A) 24 units (B) 18 units (C) 32 units (D) 16 units
βΊReveal solutionSolution
A right-triangle (Pythagorean) resolution of a 2D vector into its rectangular components; x=24 units.
Concept and Intuition
Any 2D vector's magnitude and its two perpendicular (x and y) components form a right triangle, so β£pββ£2=px2β+py2β. Knowing the magnitude and one component lets you solve for the other.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given β£pββ£=25, pyβ=7.
- px2β=β£pββ£2βpy2β=625β49=576.
- pxβ=576β=24 units. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.[FIGURE] (block 'A' rests on a horizontal surface and moves horizontally at 10 msβ1; a string from block A runs at 60Β° up to a pulley fixed to the ceiling and down the other side to a vertically hanging block 'B') As shown in the figure, block 'A' placed on a horizontal surface is moving horizontally with a speed of 10 msβ1. The speed of hanging block 'B' at the given instant of time is (A) 10 msβ1 (B) 5 msβ1 (C) 53β msβ1 (D) 20 msβ1
βΊReveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that the stringβs length is constant, so the component of block Aβs velocity along the string must equal block Bβs upward speed. Using the 60Β° angle, we find block Bβs speed is 10cos60β=5Β m/s. The correct option is (B).
The problem involves a classic constrained motion setup: two blocks connected by a string that passes over a fixed pulley. The stringβs length doesnβt change, so the rate at which the string shortens on one side must equal the rate at which it lengthens on the other. Here, block A moves horizontally, pulling the string along the 60Β° direction; block B moves vertically. The trick is to relate Aβs horizontal speed to the speed of the string segment that actually moves B.
-
Identify the constraint
The string is inextensible. Therefore, the speed of block B (which moves straight up or down) equals the speed at which the string is being pulled along its own direction from block Aβs side. That is, the component of Aβs velocity parallel to the string is what matters.
-
Resolve Aβs velocity along the string
Block A moves horizontally to the right at 10Β m/s. The string makes a 60β angle with the horizontal (measured at A). The component of Aβs velocity along the string is:
vstringβ=vAβcos60β=10Γ21β=5Β m/s.
This is the speed at which the string is being pulled from Aβs side.
- Relate to block Bβs speed β¦
-
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-04-AN1 markMCQQ.If P, Q are two points on the curve y=2x+2 in the rectangular Cartesian coordinate system such that OP.iΛ=β1, OQβ.iΛ=2 then OQββ4OP= (A) 3iΛ+8jΛβ (B) 4iΛ+6jΛβ (C) 6iΛ+8jΛβ (D) 4iΛ+3jΛβ
βΊReveal solutionSolution
The dot-product conditions simply pin down the x-coordinates of P and Q; plugging into the curve equation gives their y-coordinates, and a direct vector combination finishes the problem.
Concept and Intuition
OPβ iΛ is just the x-component of the position vector OP (the dot product with the unit vector iΛ picks out the x-coordinate). So these conditions directly specify where on the curve P and Q sit.
Step-by-Step Solution
- OPβ iΛ=β1β P has x=β1. Since P lies on y=2x+2: yPβ=2β1+2=21=2. So P=(β1,2).
- OQββ iΛ=2β Q has x=2. Then yQβ=22+2=24=16. So Q=(2,16).
- OQβ=2iΛ+16jΛβ, OP=βiΛ+2jΛβ. β¦
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