Pure Math 3 - Vectors

------- - ---------~----~·..
1. Vector Equation of a Line
·- ·- · - ·-· ····· ·- ·· ... ... · ··· ·· ·~ . ~
Standard Form: - ·- ·- ·- ·-·- ·- ·- ·- ·- ·- ·-·- ·i Et
., .,..--
. . ~---~····--- ~..
r =(:)+A(~) :--------- -~
-·-·-·- ·- ·- ·- ·- ·-·- ·-·-·J

In the diagram on the right a line L parallel to the direction vector d and
having a position vector p.

Parametric Form:
Another way of representing a line using vectors is

(x)yz (a+lu)
b + .Av
=
c+lw
known as 'Ptlrtlw..etrte form of an equation of a line L.

2. Vector Equation of aLine Given TW□ Points

A unique line cannot be formed with only ONE known point,(there are
infinite possibilities) so to get an equation of a line at least two points(position
vectors) must be given.
If a line passing through two(2) points is required, do the following steps:
i) find a vector AB (with DA and OB are the position vectors on the line), this will be
direction vector of the line rn
ii) use any of the position vector OA or OB to write the equation m
C
y. m
r = OA + A(AB)
a:
"'C
C
m
rn

G) +A(:) m
C
r =
I
-
=:i
a
Example:
.
I
I
·' rn
I C
OA = 2i + 3j - k .' ·' a
OB= I - j + 4k, the line through OA and m
:::i
er
will be w
X

>
-
IC-
a
u
m

1
Farough Ahmed Siddiqui ( Nixor, Beaconhouse, FPS, Cosmic Campus, SPACE)
 Pure Math 3 - Vectors ' :
I
\1
I

l ,I

3. Showing a Given Paint Lies □r Doesn't lie □n a Line

If it is required to check whether a point lies on a given line or n ui, , ur ,vert the
line into Parametric form then equate each component ~
of the point with the line to get the value of the
parameter (A)
d
• 1
(2)
If A remains same for all the components then point lies on the line, 5
and if A is inconsistent then the point is not on the line.
Example: ( 2)
Please find out whether ~ lies on the line r = (JJ ~!)
H ( or Not

(!) ~:1 ) therefore ( l l=O)

2
=( 3 = 0. S i.e A is inconsistent so point does not
5 -1 + 51 l= 1.2
lie on the line.

4. Showing Two Lines are Parallel, Intersecting ar Skew

Parallel:
Two lines are parallel if there direction vectors
are parallel ( multiple of each other)

r1 = p + A d1
r2 = q + A d2, lines are parallel if d1 = k d2
rn
m
C
Intersecting Or Skewed lines: ca
C:
""C:I
C
ca
rn
m
C
Skewed lines are non-parallel & non- intersecting
-
.:::i
Cl
These are on two different planes.

To find whether non-parallel lines are skewed or intersecting,

• you write them in parametric form and
.rn
C
Cl
ca
=
er
LI.I
• equate the corresponding elements{assuming lines are intersecting).
• Solving any two equations for the parameters A & µ, and
• then check for the third equation. If the third component of both lines also
-
>
L,
Cl
u
m
same then your assumption is right and lines are intersecting, otherwise
skewed. 2
Faraugh Ahmed Siddiqui ( Nixer, Beacanhause, FPS, Cosmic Campus, SPACE)
 Pure Math 3 - Vectors

Example:

Please fmd out wheilier r = (D + AG) and r = (D + (D µ .u·e filtersecting or

skewed.

12++2A) (51++2µµ )
Step #1:
(3 + 3A 1 +6µ
A =

Step#2: Assuming lines are intersecting equate x & y components

1 + 2A = 1 + µ

2 + A = 5 + 2 µ, by solving the 2 equations simultaneously A = - 1 and µ = - 2

Step#3: Now check for the third component (z- in this case)

3+3(-1) t 1+6(-2)
0 t -11, therefore our assumption is incorrect and lines are skewed.

5. Finding Foot of Perpendicular From a Point to aLine

I
I
I

To find foot of perpendicular from a point to the I

I

I
I rn
m
given line I
C
m
Step #1: write the line in parametric form this represents 5:

every point on the line so OF =(:: ~~)

c+'Aw
"Cl
C
m
rn
m
C
Step #2: Make vector PF =OF - OP

Step #3: since PF is perpendicular to line therefore use dot product PF . d =0

d

(Y) -
,:j
Cl
rn
C
Cl
;
and find A. Substitute Ain the line to get foot of perpendicular OF. m
=
Example: Cl'
LL.I

...u
(!1) + J. (-1)~ = (1-' A) (1-'A) (2) (-1-'A) "-
Cl

r= 2 : 2: : PF 2 : 2: - ~ = - 2 : 2'A
= m
1 1 >
3
Farough Ahmed Siddiqui ( Nixar, Beaconhouse, FPS, Cosmic Campus, SPACE)
 Pure Math 3- Vector~

(-1-A) (-1) o ⇒;. = 1/2.

PF. d= -2: 2A . ~ =
0.5)
Therefore □F = 2 '
(1.5
6. finding the Perpendicular{shortest) Distance Between the Line and a Point
Method# I
Do all the steps mentioned in the previous title (Na. 5) and then put 1 in PF

and find the magnitude IPF I ·'

From previous example

(-1 -A) (-1 5)

PF= -2+2>. = -1
>. 0.5

IPF I= ✓ (1.5) 2 + (1) 2 + (0.5) 2 ='135

Therefore perpendicular distance of r = G) + Y) (D

l( from is ,/3. 5

Method#2 ~
Make a vector AP {where Ais the given position vector on the linE ·A I

I '
I

Then find angle e by using dot product of AP and direction vector d. _if
'
AP . d= I AP 11 d I cos e, then get the perpendicular distance by using

/:; : = sin 0, where IPF I is the shortest distance.

"'Cl
C
m
7. Finding Angle Between Two Intersecting Lines en
m
The angle between two intersecting lines is same as the angle between direction C
.:.:i
vectors. Therefore by using the formula L1 ~
a
rn
C
a
;:;
m
:::i
er
w
angle between the lines can be obtained. ,_
Note: If examiner asks for acute angle only then keep d1.d2 positive
>
-a
u
m

L2 4
Farou hAhmed Siddi ui ( Nixar. Beacanhause, FPS, Cosmic Cam us, SPACE)
 Pure Math 3- Vectors
8. Vector representationof Coordinate Axes:

x-axis = G) , Y-axis = (:) , z -axis= G) where I( o&n lie "~1

real number.

9. Cross Product of Two Vectors:

In the mathematics of vectors Ax B= C, where Cis a vector perpendicular to A and B
i.e. perpendicular to the plane formed by A & B C - i +Sj + 3k

In P3 syllabus this concept is mainly used to find the a vector

normal to the plane. ·•1•1111111:•::rli

Example:a = i - j + 2k; b = 2i +j -k

i j k
H1::::ii1:
ax b = 1 Ftzl =i(l-2)- j(-1-4) +k(l+2) =-i +Sj + 3k
2 L!_::1J

Ian bl
c~ d = ad-be n =Ai+ Bj +Ck

10. Vector Equation of aPlane:

Dot Product Form:
If a plane is required with known normal and a given point on it;
en
IU
C
Then use the formula ( r- a).n=O ca
a:
OR r.n=a.n -,::s
C
ca
r . n=D(where Dis the perpendicular distance of the plane from the Origin)
en
IU
C
Cartesian Form:
If the normal to the plane n =Ai + Bj + Ck
Then the equation of plane r . n =a . n can be written as
-
~
a
en
C
a
=ca
r.m=m-m
:I
CT
LI.I
r..
....au
I
(~)- ( ~) = D \Ax +By +Ck = D this is the Cartesian form olthe equation of plane ~
5
farau hAhmed Siddiqui ( Nixar, Beacanhause, FPS, Cosmic Campus, SPACE)
11. Various Cases for the equation of a Plane (when Normal Unkrmw~~,:
i} Forming an equation of aplane with 3 points given:
A plane cannot be described with less than 3 points,
at least 3 points are needed for a unique plane.
If a plane is required with 3 points given
• First make any two vectors with these points
• Do the cross product of these 2 vectors to get Normal vector
• Then use the formula r.n = a.n with any of the 3 position vectors given.

ii) Vector equation of aPlane with aPoint and aLine Given:

• First make a vector AP using the given point and a point on the line
• Find the cross product of this vector AP and the direction vector d, to get Normal
• Then use the formula r.n = a . n

iii) Vector equation of aPlane formed by 2Intersecting Lin

• First find the cross product of the 2 direction vectors of the given lines
d1 x d2 = normal to the required plane
• Use formula r • n =a .n to get
A
r. B =D
C
{I:
□R Ax+ By+ Cz =D \::: C
~......:..:..:......,__. m
rn
m
Vector equation of aPlane with aPoint on the Plane and Parallel to another Plane:
...
C
iv) .::::i
When the required plane is parallel to another plane the normal of the 2 planes Cl

are same.
Therefore, use the formula r. n = a . n with this known normal of the given plane
and the position vector of the required plane.
Example:Find the equation of a plane parallel to 2x + 3y +Sz = 7 and

:1) l
contains a position vector (

- -~~~~-.-~~-.r.r.ffl':Nlllc____~_:s
 The required equation will be

r . n =a .n =r . ( 3) =(-1) .(3) = 2x + 3y + 5l =9

v} Vector equation of aPlane with aPoint on the Plane and Perpendicular to 2 Intersecting
planes:
Step# 1. Find the cross product of the normal vectors of the given planes~_..__

n1 x n2 = n ( this is the normal of the required plane)

Step # 2. Then use the formula r . n = a .

and the position vector of the required plane

vi) Vector Euation of Plane containin aline and Per endicular to anothe
In this case normal vector of the given plane (p) is parallel to required plane, also the
direction vector of the given line (L) is parallel to the required plane.

Therefore to get normal vector of the required plane

np x dL = n (cross product)

Then use the formula r . n = a . n with this normal

rn
and position vector given on the line (L) m
C
m
ii:
"'Cl
C
m
rn
m
C

12. Aline is Parallel to aPlane d ....

.:::i
0
rn
L
If a line is parallel to a plane then normal is
Perpendicular to the direction vector, therefore
the dot product of the normal to the plane and
direction vector of the line is zero.
n. d = O
7
 Pur~Mat~3- v~ctors
,F~
\

:.....--- - ---
,1.,,1,iW,);;l.·i

13. Aline lies ontha P:11ne-

Example:Show that line r =( 7) + t ( 2) lies on the plane 2x + 3y - 6z =7 and

2( 2 +3t) +3( 7 +2t) - 6( 3 +2 t) =7

1=1

14. Aline is Perpendicular to the Plane:

The direction vector of the line is parallel to normal vector
i.e. n =k d

15. Point of Intersection between a Line and a Plane:

Steps with example: rn
m
C

• Write the line in parametric form r = ( 2) +t ( 1) ~ (y) = ( ca

• Solve the line and plane simultaneously

For plane 2x - 3y +4z =5
2(1+t) -3(2+t) +4(3+t) =5 rn
C
t=-I Cl
·.;:;
ca
putt in the equation of line ::I
Cl"
x= 0, y = 1, z = 2 w

...u
IC..
Cl

Therefore the position vector of the point of intersection will be ( 1) >

m

8
Farough Ahmed Siddi ui ( Nixor, Beaconhouse, FPS, Cosmic Campus, SPACE)
 Far:~;µg~ ~lirf(~~'.J~a~,n•i
Pure Math 3- Vectors ~~'fififi.ed TPM'(:Jf ~achin
Further Math .MEI - U

Angle between a line and aPlane:

Use dot product technique with normal vector and
the direction vector
n . d = In I Id Icosa
then 9 = 90 - a
DR
n . d= In I Id Isin 9

17. Angle between 2intersecting Planes:

Use dot product of the to normal vectors of the planes

n1 . n2 = In111 n2 Icos 9
and find the value of 9.

Bath a
and 180 - e are valid results.

18. Equation of the Line of Intersection of 2Planes:

To find direction vector of the line of intersection do the cross product
of the two normal vectors. ~·- ·- ·-·- ·- ·- ·- ·- ·
n1 x n2 =d 1
rn
Find a common point of the two planes ( this point must lie:on the line m
C
m
a:
Then write the equation in the form "Cl
C
- , - . - . - . - . - , - . - . - . - , - , - . - ,I
m
rn
m

...
C
.=i
C
rn
C
C
.:;
m
::I
er
LI.I

-==
I:.
C
u

9
- ,@J,"11iMJJa11 , II , II, ~;ua
 Pure M~th 3- V~eta Pi

19. Equation of a Line li~SJlJ1 f:i Pl~ne and Perpendicu~ar to another Line:
Since the required line Hes on the known plane ·so it is perpendicular to the normal
vector of the plane.
Therefore find the cross product of the Normal vector and the
direction vector of the given line to get the direction vector of
required line.
,------------------'
i.e. D = n x d I
I
•

Then form the equation with a known po~t on the line

I
I

- - - -- - --- -- - -- -- - -·
,·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-· ·-·-·-·-·-·-'
I
I
I

2O. Perpendicular Distance of aPoint from the Plane: p(;!)~

zt ~I

Let PGD be a point outside the plane Ax +By+ Cz=D dlI

--~~..,,..,_ I

The perpendicular distance between the plane and P will be

d = I Ax1 +By1 +Cz1- D I

JAz+Bz+cz
1
lll!l!i
21. Perpendicular Distance of a Plane From The Origin: rn
m
C
m
For this case the formula given in the previous section ( No 19) will be a:
used in much simplified form

d = I Ax1 +By1 +Cz 1- D I 9///

JAz+sz+cz /
/

0 /
d= I D I D
JAz+sz+cz In I

10
r
I

Pure Math 3- Vectors

. . ..
22. Perpendicular Distance Bet\!ern 2Parallel Planes:
Parallel planes have same normal vector
·•:: ::::: :·.. ·'·-~
. ·. :·.. .
·-:/
-
'

... :::.~ ::>

.

P1: Ax + By + Cz = 01
P2: Ax + By + Cz =02
extending the concept discussed in the last section
distance between the 2 parallel planes can be found out by the
formula

_ \D1 - D2 \
d
- \n\ .
if the parallel planes are on the opposite side of the origin then D1 and D2 have opposite
signs
P1:Ax + By + Cz = 01
P2: Ax + By + Cz = - 02
- I D1 - (- D2) I _ I D1 +D2I
d- lnl - In\

rn
m
C
m
EL
23. Vector equation of a line passing through a Point and Perpendicular to the Plane: "'Cl
C
This line is parallel to the normal vector of the plane L m
rn
m
Therefore the equation of a line perpendicular to the plane given by p C
.:::;
....
r =DP +A (normal)plane Cl

...u
a:..
Cl

::!
11
Farough Ahmed Siddiqui ( Nixor, Beaconhouse, FPS, Cosmic Campus, SPACE)
 '

24. Image af a Point Reflected bya Plane:

For the point of reflection of OP
First form a line perpendicular to the plane and passing
Through OP ( section 22)
Then solve this line and plane ( section 14) to get foot of the perpendicular 1

of OP onto the Plane. P' ~(x')

y'
z"
The position vector OF now becomes the midpoint of PP'
Applying mid-point formula .

x+x1 y+y1 z+z1

u=-, v=-, w =-
2 2 2

and solve for x', y' & z' get result OP' (~:)

25. Geometrical Inter retation of the Cross Product:

The magnitude of the cross product A xB represents the area of parallelogram
having Aand 8 as the two adjacent sides.

I
Area of Parallelogram = AxBj

Area □flriangle =i I Ax BI B rn
m
C
m
26. Geometrical Interpretation of the Dot Product: a:
II
If you find dot product of vector a and b and divide by b you will get the -a
C
m
projection of a onto b rn
m

... C
.:::;
Cl
rn
)
C
b ;
Cl
m
::I
er
LU

-
~
Cl
u
m
>
 Farough Ahrned Siddiqui
Pure Math 3 - Vectors Certified TFM ( Teachin
Further Math ) MEI - U

2 7. Perpendicular Distance between 2 Skewed Lines: L,

Not the part of P3 syllabus L2

\ (p - q) .(dl x d2) I
D= \ dl x d2 I
q

Now You Will Remember Vectors for The Rest of Your Life