Definitions [1]
The scalar product or dot product of two nonzero vectors \[\vec P\] and \[\vec Q\] is defined as the product of the magnitudes of the two vectors and the cosine of the angle θ between the two vectors.
Theorems and Laws [2]
Prove by vector method, that the angle subtended on semicircle is a right angle.
Let seg AB be a diameter of a circle with centre C and P be any point on the circle other than A and B.
Then ∠APB is an angle subtended on a semicircle.
Let `bar"AC" = bar"CB" = bar"a"` and `bar"CP" = bar"r"`
Then `|bar"a"| = |bar"r"|` ....(1)

`bar"AP" = bar"AC" + bar"CP"`
= `bar"a" + bar"r"`
= `bar"r" + bar"a"`
`bar"BP" = bar"BC" + bar"CP"`
= `- bar"CB" + bar"CP"`
= `- bar"a" + bar"r"`
∴ `bar"AP".bar"BP" = (bar"r" + bar"a").(bar"r" - bar"a")`
= `bar"r".bar"r" - bar"r".bar"a" + bar"a".bar"r" - bar"a".bar"a"`
= `|bar"r"|^2 - |bar"a"|^2`
= 0 ....`(∵ bar"r".bar"a" = bar"a".bar"r")`
∴ `bar"AP" ⊥ bar"BP"`
∴ ∠APB is a right angle.
Hence, the angle subtended on a semicircle is the right angle.
Consider the circle with the centre at O and AB is the diameter.
Let `bar(OA) = bar a, bar(OB) = bar b, bar(OC) = bar c`

∴ `|bar a| =|bar b| = |bar c| = r` ...(1)
and `bar a = -bar b` ...(2)
Consider:
`bar (AC) * bar (BC) = (bar c - bar a) * (bar c - bar b)`
= `(bar c - bar a) * (bar c + bar a)` ...[From (2)]
= `|bar c|^2 - |bar a|^2`
= r2 − r2 ...[From (1)]
= 0
∴ `bar(AC) * bar(BC) = 0`
∴ `bar(AC)` is perpendicular to `bar(BC)`
∴ ∠ACB = 90°
∴ Angle subtended on semi-circle is a right angle.
Using properties of scalar triple product, prove that `[(bara + barb, barb + barc, barc + bara)] = 2[(bara, barb, barc)]`.
L.H.S = `[(bara + barb, barb + barc, barc + bara)]`
= `(bara + barb) . [(barb + barc) xx (barc + bara)]`
= `(bara + barb) . [barb xx barc + barb xx bara + barc xx barc + barc xx bara]`
= `(bara + barb) . [barb xx barc + barb xx bara + barc xx bara] ...[∵ barc xx barc = bar0]`
= `bara . [(barb xx barc) + (barb xx bara) + (barc xx bara)] + barb . [(barb xx barc) + (barb xx bara) + (barc xx bara)]`
= `bara . (barb xx barc) + bara . (barb xx bara) + bara . (barc xx bara) + barb . (barb xx barc) + barb(barb xx bara) + barb(barc xx bara)`
= `[bara barb barc] + [bara barb bara] + [bara barc bara] + [barb barb barc] + [barb barb bara] + [barb barc bara]`
= `[bara barb barc] + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + [bara barb barc]`
= `2[bara barb barc]`
= R.H.S
Concepts [10]
- Introduction to Applications of Vector Algebra
- Geometric Introduction to Vectors
- Scalar Product(Dot Product)
- Scalar Triple Product
- Vector Triple Product
- Jacobi’S Identity and Lagrange’S Identity
- Application of Vectors to 3-dimensional Geometry
- Different Forms of Equation of a Plane
- Image of a Point in a Plane
- Meeting Point of a Line and a Plane
