Q.Find ∣a×b∣, if a=i^−7j^+7k^ and b=3i^−2j^+2k^.
Concept understanding — Cross Product Area
Area from the Cross Product
The cross product a×b of two vectors in 3D is itself a vector, and the most useful thing about its magnitude is that it measures area.
Place the two vectors tail-to-tail. They span a parallelogram. The magnitude of their cross product is exactly the area of that parallelogram:
Area of parallelogram=∣a×b∣=∣a∣∣b∣sinθ
where θ is the angle between them.
Why sine, not cosine
The area of a parallelogram is base × height. Take ∣a∣ as the base. The height is the part of b perpendicular to a, namely ∣b∣sinθ. Multiplying gives ∣a∣∣b∣sinθ — precisely ∣a×b∣. The dot product uses cosθ (overlap along); the cross product uses sinθ (spread across), and "across" is what builds area.
Area of a triangle
A triangle with adjacent sides a and b is half that parallelogram:
Area of triangle=21∣a×b∣
For a triangle with vertices A,B,C, take a=AB and b=AC.
A quick example
For a=i^+2j^ and b=3i^+j^,
a×b=i^13j^21k^00=(1⋅1−2⋅3)k^=−5k^.
So the parallelogram on these two vectors has area ∣−5k^∣=5 square units, and the triangle they form has area 25.
If the area comes out 0, the vectors are parallel — the parallelogram collapses to a line. That is the flip side of the same formula, since sinθ=0 when θ=0∘ or 180∘.
Using the cross product to find the area of a triangle or parallelogram is one of the most frequently asked numerical problems in the NCERT Class 12 Vector Algebra chapter, appearing in CBSE boards, JEE Main and several state CETs. "Area of triangle using vectors formula" is a high-traffic search term, and this result is also the geometric partner to the section formula for triangle-based coordinate problems.
Compute the cross product with the determinant, then take its length.
Determinant.
a×b=i^13j^−7−2k^72.
Expand.
=i^[(−7)(2)−(7)(−2)]−j^[(1)(2)−(7)(3)]+k^[(1)(−2)−(−7)(3)]
=i^(0)−j^(−19)+k^(19)=19j^+19k^.
Magnitude.
∣a×b∣=02+192+192=722=192.
∣a×b∣=192.
Using the determinant, a×b=19j^+19k^, so ∣a×b∣=722=192.
The idea
The magnitude of a cross product equals the area of the parallelogram the two vectors span. You could use ∣a×b∣=∣a∣∣b∣sinθ, but that needs the angle. When the components are given, it is far cleaner to build a×b from the determinant and then take its length.
Step-by-step
1. Write the vectors.
a=i^−7j^+7k^,b=3i^−2j^+2k^.
2. Set up the determinant.
a×b=i^13j^−7−2k^72.
3. Expand along the top row, remembering the middle term carries a minus sign:
- i^: (−7)(2)−(7)(−2)=−14+14=0
- j^: −[(1)(2)−(7)(3)]=−[2−21]=19
- k^: (1)(−2)−(−7)(3)=−2+21=19
So
a×b=0i^+19j^+19k^.
The sign in front of j^ is negative in the expansion. Here the j^ minor is −19, and −(−19)=+19 — miss the sign and you flip that component.
4. Take the magnitude.
∣a×b∣=02+192+192=2⋅192=192.
∣a×b∣=192.
Method: Magnitude of a Cross Product from Components
When both vectors are given in component form, build the cross product with the determinant and then take its length — no angle needed.
Steps
Step 1: Set up the determinant.
a×b=i^a1b1j^a2b2k^a3b3
Step 2: Expand along the top row, minding the middle sign.
The j^ term carries a minus: i^(a2b3−a3b2)−j^(a1b3−a3b1)+k^(a1b2−a2b1).
Step 3: Take the magnitude.
With the result c1i^+c2j^+c3k^, compute ∣a×b∣=c12+c22+c32.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the minus sign on the j^ term.
Why it's wrong: the cofactor expansion makes the middle term −j^(a1b3−a3b1); here the minor is −19, so the component is +19. Missing the sign flips it. Correct approach: keep the −j^ in the expansion.
Mistake 2: Confusing cross product with dot product.
Why it's wrong: ∣a×b∣ needs the vector (determinant) product, not a⋅b. Correct approach: build a×b first, then take its length.
Mistake 3: Stopping at the vector a×b.
Why it's wrong: the question asks for the magnitude. Correct approach: compute 02+192+192=192.
Showing the 12 most recent of 15 on this concept.
- GUJCET 2026Set x1 markMCQQ.The area of the triangle with vertices A(1,1,2), B(2,3,5) and C(1,5,5) is ______ (A) 43 (B) 243 (C) 61 (D) 261
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area =21∣AB×AC∣=261.
Form two edge vectors:
AB=(1,2,3),AC=(0,4,3)
Cross product:
AB×AC=(2⋅3−3⋅4,−(1⋅3−3⋅0),1⋅4−2⋅0)=(−6,−3,4)
Magnitude:
∣AB×AC∣=(−6)2+(−3)2+42=36+9+16=61
Area of the triangle:
A=2161
✓Final answerOption (D) 261
ANSWER: (D)
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If the position vectors of points A and B from the origin are a=2i^−3j^+2k^ and b=2i^+3j^+k^ respectively, then the area of triangle OAB= ____.(a) 229(b) 157(c) 21229(d) 21157
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area of △OAB=21∣a×b∣.
a×b=i^22j^−33k^21=i^(−3−6)−j^(2−4)+k^(6+6)=−9i^+2j^+12k^.
∣a×b∣=81+4+144=229. Area =21229.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) 21229.
- GUJCET 2025Set 031 markMCQQ.Area of a rectangle having vertices A, B, C and D with position vectors −i^+21j^+4k^, i^+21j^+4k^, i^−21j^+4k^ and −i^−21j^+4k^, respectively is _____. (A) 4 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 21
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR]
The emf is maximum at t=2ωπ.
Concept
In an AC generator the induced emf is sinusoidal: ε=ε0sin(ωt+ϕ). The condition ε=0 at t=0 fixes the phase ϕ=0, so ε=ε0sin(ωt).
Solution
ε is maximum when sin(ωt)=1:
ωt=2π⇒t=2ωπ.
This is a quarter of the period after the zero crossing.
[!ANSWER]
(D)
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The area of the triangle with vertices A(1,1,2), B(2,3,5) and C(1,5,5) = ____.(a) 241(b) 261(c) 251(d) 271
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area of a triangle with vertices A,B,C is 21∣AB×AC∣.
AB=(1,2,3), AC=(0,4,3).
AB×AC=i^10j^24k^33=i^(6−12)−j^(3−0)+k^(4−0)=−6i^−3j^+4k^.
∣AB×AC∣=36+9+16=61. Area =261.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (b) 261.
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If a=i^−7j^+7k^ and b=3i^−2j^+2k^, then ∣a×b∣ = ____.(a) 192(b) 0(c) 19(d) 38
›Reveal solutionSolution
Compute the cross product directly and take its magnitude.
a×b=i^13j^−7−2k^72=i^(−14+14)−j^(2−21)+k^(−2+21)=0i^+19j^+19k^.
∣a×b∣=0+361+361=722=192.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (a) 192.
- GUJCET 2024Set 131 markMCQQ.The area of a parallelogram, whose adjacent sides are given by the vectors a=2i^+3j^+4k^ and b=−j^−2k^, is __________. (A) 23 (B) 6 (C) 24 (D) 26
›Reveal solutionSolution
Parallelogram area =∣a×b∣.
Steps. a=(2,3,4), b=(0,−1,−2).
a×b=(3(−2)−4(−1),−(2(−2)−4⋅0),2(−1)−3⋅0)=(−2,4,−2).
∣a×b∣=4+16+4=24=26.
✓Final answerOption (D) 26
ANSWER: (D)
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The area of a parallelogram whose adjacent sides are a=j^+2k^ and b=i^+2j^ is ______.(a) 221(b) 42(c) 21(d) 2121
›Reveal solutionSolution
The area of a parallelogram equals ∣a×b∣.
a×b=i^01j^12k^20=i^(0−4)−j^(0−2)+k^(0−1)=−4i^+2j^−k^.
∣a×b∣=16+4+1=21.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) 21.
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.For the vectors a and b, ∣a∣=32, ∣b∣=3 and ∣a×b∣=1, then the angle between a and b is ______.(a) 6π(b) 4π(c) 3π(d) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use ∣a×b∣=∣a∣∣b∣sinθ.
1=32⋅3⋅sinθ=2sinθ⇒sinθ=21⇒θ=6π.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (a) 6π.
- GUJCET 2022Set 081 markMCQQ.The area of a triangle having the points A(1,1,1), B(1,2,3) and C(2,3,1) as its vertices is ______. (A) 219 (B) 221 (C) 219 (D) 221
›Reveal solutionSolution
Triangle area from vertices = ½ of the magnitude of the cross product of two edge vectors.
Concept. Area=21AB×AC.
Solution. AB=(0,1,2), AC=(1,2,0).
AB×AC=(1⋅0−2⋅2,2⋅1−0⋅0,0⋅2−1⋅1)=(−4,2,−1)
AB×AC=16+4+1=21
Area=221
✓Final answer(B) 221
ANSWER: (B)
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2022Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The area of a parallelogram whose adjacent sides are given by the vectors a=3i^+j^+4k^ and b=i^−j^+k^ is ___.(a) 21(b) 42(c) 42(d) 21
›Reveal solutionSolution
The area of the parallelogram is ∣a×b∣.
a×b=i^31j^1−1k^41=i^(1+4)−j^(3−4)+k^(−3−1)=5i^+j^−4k^.
∣a×b∣=25+1+16=42.
✓Final answer(c) 42.
- GUJCET 2021Set 151 markMCQQ.The area of parallelogram whose adjacent sides are determined by the vectors a=i^−j^+3k^ and b=2i^−7j^+k^ is (A) 152 (B) 15 (C) 215 (D) 215
›Reveal solutionSolution
Parallelogram area = |axb|.
Concept. a×b=(a2b3−a3b2, a3b1−a1b3, a1b2−a2b1).
Solution. a=(1,−1,3), b=(2,−7,1):
a×b=(−1+21, 6−1, −7+2)=(20,5,−5).
∣a×b∣=400+25+25=450=152.
✓Final answer(A) 152
ANSWER: (A)
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2020Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Find the area of a parallelogram whose adjacent sides are given by the vectors a=3^+5^−2k^ and b=2^+^+3k^.(a) 507(b) 387(c) 21507(d) 25
›Reveal solutionSolution
Compute the cross product a×b, then its magnitude gives the parallelogram area directly.
a=3^+5^−2k^, b=2^+^+3k^.
a×b=^32^51k^−23=^(15+2)−^(9+4)+k^(3−10)=17^−13^−7k^.
∣a×b∣=172+132+72=289+169+49=507.
✓Final answer(a) 507.
🎓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.