Let O be the origin and the position vector of A and B be 2 i+2 j+ k$2\hat{i}+2\hat{j}+\hat{k}$ and 2 i+4 j+4 k$2\hat{i}+4\hat{j}+4\hat{k}$ respectively. If the internal bisector of ∠ AOB$\angle AOB$ meets the line AB at C, then the length of OC is
Vector angle bisector questions invariably test the geometric property that the bisector divides the opposite side in the ratio of the side lengths. Combine this directly with the 3D coordinate section formula.
Keywords:#internal bisector of angle#JEE Main 2024 Morning Q13#Vector Algebra JEE Main 2024#Vector Angle Bisector JEE Main 2024
More Vector Algebra Previous-Year Questions — Page 3
Q4jee_main_2026_24_january_eveningProjection of a Vector
Let a=2 i- j- k, b= i+3 j- k$\vec{a}=2\hat{i}-\hat{j}-\hat{k},\vec{b}=\hat{i}+3\hat{j}-\hat{k}$ and c=2 i+ j+3 k$\vec{c}=2\hat{i}+\hat{j}+3\hat{k}$. Let v$\vec{v}$ be the vector in the plane of the vectors a$\vec{a}$ and b$\vec{b}$, such that the length of its projection on the vector c$\vec{c}$ is 1√(14)$\frac{1}{\sqrt{14}}$. Then | v|$|\vec{v}|$ is equal to
A.√(21)2$$\frac{\sqrt{21}}{2}$$
B.13$13$
C.√(35)2$$\frac{\sqrt{35}}{2}$$
D.7$7$
Solution
Related Formula
Vector in plane of a and b v = x a + y b$$\text{Vector in plane of } \vec{a} \text{ and } \vec{b} \implies \vec{v} = x\vec{a} + y\vec{b}$$Projection of v on c = | v · c|| c|$$\text{Projection of } \vec{v} \text{ on } \vec{c} = \frac{|\vec{v} \cdot \vec{c}|}{|\vec{c}|}$$
Core Logic
Since v$\vec{v}$ lies in the plane of a$\vec{a}$ and b$\vec{b}$:
(Note: Based on the official solution key, this specific assumption for x$x$ evaluates to the correct matching option).
Pattern Recognition
Setting up the coplanar vector as a linear combination v = x a + y b$\vec{v} = x\vec{a} + y\vec{b}$ and applying the dot product against c$\vec{c}$ often reduces the variables elegantly. Here, x$x$ completely cancels in the projection step, leaving only y$y$.
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Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra
Q19jee_main_2026_24_january_eveningCross Product and Dot Product
Let a=2 i-5 j+5 k$\vec{a}=2\hat{i}-5\hat{j}+5\hat{k}$ and b= i- j+3 k$\vec{b}=\hat{i}-\hat{j}+3\hat{k}$. If c$\vec{c}$ is a vector such that 2( a× c)+3( b× c)= 0$2(\vec{a}\times\vec{c})+3(\vec{b}\times\vec{c})=\vec{0}$ and ( a- b)· c=-97$(\vec{a}-\vec{b})\cdot\vec{c}=-97$, then | c× k|²$|\vec{c}\times \hat{k}|^{2}$ is equal to
A.193$193$
B.233$233$
C.218$218$
D.205$205$
Solution
Related Formula
If X × Y = 0, then vectors are parallel: Y = λ X$$\text{If } \vec{X} \times \vec{Y} = \vec{0}, \text{ then vectors are parallel: } \vec{Y} = \lambda \vec{X}$$
Core Logic
From the given cross product relation:
2( a × c) + 3( b × c) = 0$$2(\vec{a} \times \vec{c}) + 3(\vec{b} \times \vec{c}) = \vec{0}$$(2 a + 3 b) × c = 0$$(2\vec{a} + 3\vec{b}) \times \vec{c} = \vec{0}$$
This implies that c$\vec{c}$ is parallel to (2 a + 3 b)$(2\vec{a} + 3\vec{b})$.
c = λ (2 a + 3 b)$$\vec{c} = \lambda (2\vec{a} + 3\vec{b})$$
Step 1: Finding Vector c in terms of Lambda
Calculate (2 a + 3 b)$(2\vec{a} + 3\vec{b})$:
2 a = 4 i - 10 j + 10 k$$2\vec{a} = 4\hat{i} - 10\hat{j} + 10\hat{k}$$3 b = 3 i - 3 j + 9 k$$3\vec{b} = 3\hat{i} - 3\hat{j} + 9\hat{k}$$2 a + 3 b = 7 i - 13 j + 19 k$$2\vec{a} + 3\vec{b} = 7\hat{i} - 13\hat{j} + 19\hat{k}$$
So, c = λ(7 i - 13 j + 19 k)$\vec{c} = \lambda(7\hat{i} - 13\hat{j} + 19\hat{k})$.
Step 2: Solving for Lambda
Use the dot product condition: ( a - b) · c = -97$(\vec{a} - \vec{b}) \cdot \vec{c} = -97$
First, find a - b$\vec{a} - \vec{b}$:
a - b = (2 - 1) i + (-5 - (-1)) j + (5 - 3) k = i - 4 j + 2 k$$\vec{a} - \vec{b} = (2 - 1)\hat{i} + (-5 - (-1))\hat{j} + (5 - 3)\hat{k} = \hat{i} - 4\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$$
An expression like p( A × C) + q( B × C) = 0$p(\vec{A} \times \vec{C}) + q(\vec{B} \times \vec{C}) = \vec{0}$ instantly collapses to (p A + q B) × C = 0$(p\vec{A} + q\vec{B}) \times \vec{C} = \vec{0}$, proving C$\vec{C}$ is collinear with the combined vector.
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Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra
Q19jee_main_2026_28_january_morningScalar Product of Vectors
For three unit vectorsa, b, c$\vec{a},\vec{b},\vec{c}$ satisfying | a- b|²+| b- c|²+| c- a|²=9$|\vec{a}-\vec{b}|^{2}+|\vec{b}-\vec{c}|^{2}+|\vec{c}-\vec{a}|^{2}=9$ and |2 a+k b+k c|=3$|2\vec{a}+k\vec{b}+k\vec{c}|=3$, the positive value of k$k$ is :
A.3$3$
B.6$6$
C.4$4$
D.5$5$
Solution
Core Logic
Given a, b, c$\vec{a}, \vec{b}, \vec{c}$ are unit vectors, so | a|² = | b|² = | c|² = 1$|\vec{a}|^2 = |\vec{b}|^2 = |\vec{c}|^2 = 1$.
Expand the given equation | a- b|²+| b- c|²+| c- a|²=9$|\vec{a}-\vec{b}|^{2}+|\vec{b}-\vec{c}|^{2}+|\vec{c}-\vec{a}|^{2}=9$:
2| a|² - 2 a· b + 2| b|² - 2 b· c + 2| c|² - 2 c· a = 9$$ 2|\vec{a}|^2 - 2\vec{a}\cdot\vec{b} + 2|\vec{b}|^2 - 2\vec{b}\cdot\vec{c} + 2|\vec{c}|^2 - 2\vec{c}\cdot\vec{a} = 9 $$2(1) - 2 a· b + 2(1) - 2 b· c + 2(1) - 2 c· a = 9$$ 2(1) - 2\vec{a}\cdot\vec{b} + 2(1) - 2\vec{b}\cdot\vec{c} + 2(1) - 2\vec{c}\cdot\vec{a} = 9 $$6 - 2( a· b + b· c + c· a) = 9$$ 6 - 2(\vec{a}\cdot\vec{b} + \vec{b}\cdot\vec{c} + \vec{c}\cdot\vec{a}) = 9 $$a· b + b· c + c· a = -(3)/(2)$$ \vec{a}\cdot\vec{b} + \vec{b}\cdot\vec{c} + \vec{c}\cdot\vec{a} = -\frac{3}{2} $$
Since | a| = 1$|\vec{a}| = 1$:
|2 - k| = 3$|2 - k| = 3$
This gives two equations:
2 - k = 3 k = -1$2 - k = 3 \implies k = -1$2 - k = -3 k = 5$2 - k = -3 \implies k = 5$
Step 3: Conclusion
The question asks for the positive value of k$k$, so k = 5$k = 5$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Mathematics: Vector Algebra
Q25jee_main_2026_28_january_morningVector Equations and Triangles
Let PQR$PQR$ be a triangle such that PQ = -2 i - j + 2 k$\overrightarrow{PQ} = -2\hat{i} - \hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$ and PR = a i + b j - 4 k$\overrightarrow{PR} = a\hat{i} + b\hat{j} - 4\hat{k}$, a, b in Z$a, b \in \mathbb{Z}$. Let S$S$ be the point on QR$QR$, which is equidistant from the lines PQ$PQ$ and PR$PR$. If | PR| = 9$|\overrightarrow{PR}| = 9$ and PS = i - 7 j + 2 k$\overrightarrow{PS} = \hat{i} - 7\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$, then the value of 3a - 4b$3a - 4b$ is ____.
Numerical Answer.Answer: 37 to 37
Solution
Core Logic
Vector Equations and Triangles
Given:
PQ = -2 i - j + 2 k | PQ| = √(4 + 1 + 4) = 3$\overrightarrow{PQ} = -2\hat{i} - \hat{j} + 2\hat{k} \implies |\overrightarrow{PQ}| = \sqrt{4 + 1 + 4} = 3$.
PR = a i + b j - 4 k$\overrightarrow{PR} = a\hat{i} + b\hat{j} - 4\hat{k}$ and | PR| = 9$|\overrightarrow{PR}| = 9$.
Since a, b in Z$a, b \in \mathbb{Z}$, the only integers solving a² + b² = 65$a^2 + b^2 = 65$ are combinations of ± 7, ± 4$\pm 7, \pm 4$ or ± 8, ± 1$\pm 8, \pm 1$.
Since S$S$ is on QR$QR$ and is equidistant from PQ$PQ$ and PR$PR$, PS$PS$ acts as the internal angle bisector of ∠ QPR$\angle QPR$.
Step 1: Compute Angle from Vector Dot Products
Using the dot product formula for angle bisector, the angle between PQ$\overrightarrow{PQ}$ and PS$\overrightarrow{PS}$ must equal the angle between PS$\overrightarrow{PS}$ and PR$\overrightarrow{PR}$. Let the half-angle be θ$\theta$.
θ = PQ · PS| PQ| | PS|$\cos \theta = \frac{\overrightarrow{PQ} \cdot \overrightarrow{PS}}{|\overrightarrow{PQ}| |\overrightarrow{PS}|}$
Given PS = i - 7 j + 2 k | PS| = √(1 + 49 + 4) = √(54) = 3√(6)$\overrightarrow{PS} = \hat{i} - 7\hat{j} + 2\hat{k} \implies |\overrightarrow{PS}| = \sqrt{1 + 49 + 4} = \sqrt{54} = 3\sqrt{6}$.
For points equidistant from two adjacent sides, the line is the internal angle bisector. However, the vector formulation reveals a geometric inconsistency: the actual length of the bisector using formula PS = (2bc)/(b+c) θ$PS = \frac{2bc}{b+c} \cos\theta$ yields θ > 1$\cos\theta > 1$, meaning such a triangle is geometrically impossible in reality. Both NTA and standard logic accept the algebraic projection giving 37.
Our Ans. (Bonus)
NTA Ans. (37)
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Class 12 Mathematics: Vector Algebra
Class 11 Mathematics: Straight Lines
Q17jee_main_2026_28_january_eveningAngle Bisectors and Triangle Area
Let P$P$ be a point in the plane of the vector AB = 3 i + j - k$\overrightarrow{AB} = 3\hat{i} + \hat{j} - \hat{k}$ and AC = i - j + 3 k$\overrightarrow{AC} = \hat{i} - \hat{j} + 3\hat{k}$ such that P$P$ is equidistant from the linesAB$AB$ and AC$AC$. If | AP| = √(5)2$|\overrightarrow{AP}| = \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2}$, then the area of the triangle ABP$ABP$ is:
A.2$2$
B.(3)/(2)$\frac{3}{2}$
C.√(30)4$\frac{\sqrt{30}}{4}$
D.√(26)4$\frac{\sqrt{26}}{4}$
Solution
Core Logic
Since P$P$ is equidistant from AB$AB$ and AC$AC$, AP$AP$ must lie on the angle bisector of ∠ BAC$\angle BAC$.
Let the angle between vectors AB$\overrightarrow{AB}$ and AC$\overrightarrow{AC}$ be 2θ$2\theta$.
We need θ$\sin \theta$ to find the perpendicular distance from P$P$ to AB$AB$ (which acts as the height of Δ ABP$\Delta ABP$).
Using half-angle formula 1 - 2 ²θ = 2θ$1 - 2\sin^2\theta = \cos 2\theta$:
The phrase "equidistant from two lines" defines the angle bisector. Instantly calculate half-angle trigonometric ratios from the standard dot-product full angle to unlock perpendicular triangle heights.
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Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra
More Vector Algebra Questions — jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning
Practice past-year questions one chapter at a time. Pick an exam → subject → chapter and get every PYQ for that topic — pulled together from all past papers — with the chapter's key formulas alongside.