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Vector Algebra Class 12th Notes - Free NCERT Class 12 Maths Chapter 10 Notes - Download PDF

Vector Algebra Class 12th Notes - Free NCERT Class 12 Maths Chapter 10 Notes - Download PDF

Edited By Komal Miglani | Updated on Jul 26, 2025 08:42 AM IST

Hey, looking for notes that make vectors as easy as arrows on paper? Check out these Vector Algebra Notes! Step into a world where direction meets calculation—Vector Algebra simplifies the forces and motions that shape our universe. Vector algebra is the mathematics of navigation, physics, and the hidden forces around us. Have you ever wondered how a pilot navigates a plane in the right direction and speed? Or during sports commentary, how they calculate the trajectory of a ball. These are all applications of vector algebra, which we covered in the NCERT Notes for Class 12 Maths chapter 10. A vector is a quantity which has magnitude as well as direction. In Vector Algebra class 12 notes, students will learn about vectors, representation, position vector, magnitude, types of vectors, addition and multiplication of vectors, components of vectors, direction cosines, and other properties.

Vector Algebra Class 12th Notes - Free NCERT Class 12 Maths Chapter 10 Notes - Download PDF
Vector Algebra Class 12th Notes - Free NCERT Class 12 Maths Chapter 10 Notes - Download PDF

Mastering vector algebra is like learning to navigate the map of multidimensional space. After completing the textbook solutions, students need a proficient study material for quick revision. That is when the Vector Algebra Class 12 NCERT notes come into play. Careers360 experts meticulously prepare these notes, covering all important topics, formulas, and examples thoroughly. For a complete syllabus roadmap, solved NCERT exercises, and downloadable PDFs, check out: NCERT.

Also, read,

NCERT Notes for Class 12 Chapter 10 Vector algebra: Free PDF Download

Students who wish to access the NCERT solutions for class 12, chapter 10, Vector algebra, can click on the link below to download the entire solution in PDF.

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NCERT Notes for Class 12 Chapter 10: Vector algebra

Vectors: Quantities that have both magnitude and direction and follow vector addition laws are called vectors.

Denoted by: AB

Scalars: Quantities that have only magnitude but no direction are called scalars.

Example for Vectors and Scalars:

1646302331709

The magnitude of the vector: This shows the value of the vector and is denoted by: |AB|

Representation of a Vector

A vector is represented by a directed line segment (an arrow). The endpoints of the segment are called the initial point and the terminal point of the vector. An arrow from the initial point to the terminal point indicates the direction of the vector.

Position Vector: Let O(0,0,0) be the origin and P(x,y,z) be the position vector.
Then the magnitude of a vector is denoted by: |OP|
Formula: |OP|=x2+y2+z2

Direction Cosines

Let r be the position vector of a point P(x,y,z). Then, the direction cosines of vector r are the cosines of angles α,β, and y (i.e. cosα, cosβ, and cosγ ) that the vector r makes with the positive direction of X,Y, and Z-axes respectively. Direction cosines are usually denoted by I,m, and n, respectively.


From the figure, note that ΔOAP is a right-angled triangle, and thus, we have

cosα=xr(r stands for |r|)

Similarly, from the right angled triangles OBP and OCP, We have,
cosβ=yr and cosγ=zr

So we have the following results,
cosα=l=xx2+y2+z2=x|r|=xrcosβ=m=yx2+y2+z2=y|r|=yrcosγ=n=zx2+y2+z2=z|r|=zr

Also,
l2=x2x2+y2+z2m2=y2x2+y2+z2n2=z2x2+y2+z2

Add (i), (ii) and (iii)
l2+m2+n2=x2x2+y2+z2+y2x2+y2+z2+z2x2+y2+z2l2+m2+n2=1cos2α+cos2β+cos2γ=1

The coordinates of the point P may also be expressed as (lr, mr, nr).

Types of vectors

  • Zero vector: A vector whose magnitude is zero is called a Zero vector. It is denoted by |0|.
  • Unit Vector: A vector whose magnitude is equal to one is called a Unit vector.
    a=a|a|
  • Coinitial Vectors: Two or more vectors are called coinitial if they have the same initial point.
  • Collinear Vectors: If two vectors are parallel to a given line, then the vectors are called collinear.
  • Equal Vectors: The vectors that have the same magnitude and equal direction such vectors are called Equal vectors.
    |a|=|b|
  • Negative of a Vector: Vectors whose magnitude is the same but opposite in direction are called negative vectors.
    |AB|=|BA|

Addition of vectors

Triangle law of addition

If two vectors are represented in the same direction and the resultant is represented in the opposite direction, that is called the Triangle Law of addition.

1646304790964

Parallelogram law of vector addition:

If two vectors are adjacent sides of the parallelogram, then the resultant vector is the diagonal of the parallelogram.
|OA|+|OC|=|OB|

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Properties of vector addition

Commutative: a+b=b+a
Associative: (a+b)+c=a+(b+c)
Additive identity: a+0=a
Additive inverse: a+(a)=0

Multiplication of a Vector by a Scalar

Where a denotes a vector and λ denotes a scalar.
The magnitude of |λa|=|λ||a|

Properties of Multiplication of Vectors

(a) α(a+b)=αa+αb
(b) (α+β)a=αa+βa
(c) α(βa)=(αβ)a

Components of Vectors

Let the position vector be |OP|=r=xi^+yj^+zk^ is a component of the vector.

1646307438678

Two Dimensions:
OP=xi^+yj^|OP|=x2+y2

Three Dimension:
OP=xi^+yj^+zk^
OP=x2+y2+z2

Vectors joining two Points

P1(x1,y1,z1) and P2(x2,y2,z2) are any points on the axis.
Vector joining P1 and P2 is given below:
P1P2=(x2x1)i^+(y2y1)j^+(z2z1)k^|P1P2|=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2+(z2z1)2

Section Formula: OP be a position vector and line segment AB
- Divided internally in m:n ratio, then the formula is OP=mb+nam+n
- Divided externally in the m:n ratio, the formula is OP=mbnamn

1646308718524

Midpoints of vectors: OP=a+b2

Dot (scalar) Product

If a and b are two non-zero vectors, then their scalar product (or dot product) is denoted by ab and is defined as

Observations:

1. ab is a real number.
2. ab is positive if θ is acute.
3. ab is negative if θ is obtuse.
4. ab is zero if θ is 90.
5. ab|a||b|

For any two non-zero vectors a and b, then ab=0 if and only if a and b perpendicular to each other. i.e.
ab=0ab

As i^,j^ and k^ are mutually perpendicular unit vectors along the coordinate axes, therefore,
i^j^=j^i^=0,j^k^=k^j^=0;k^i^=i^k^=0

If θ=0, then ab=|a||b|
In particular, aa=|a|2
As i^,j^ and k^ are unit vectors along the coordinate axes, therefore
i^i^=|i^|2=1,j^j^=|j^|2=1 and k^k^=|k^|2=1

Properties of Dot (Scalar) Product

1. ab=ba ( commutative )
2. a(b+c)=ac+ac (distributive)
3. (ma)b=m(ab)=a(mb); where m is a scalar and a,b are any two vectors
4. (la)(mb)=lm(ab); where l and m are scalars

For any two vectors a and b, we have
(i)
|a±b|2=|a±b||a±b|=|a|2+|b|2±2ab=|a|2+|b|2±2|a||b|cosθ
(ii) |a+b||ab|=|a|2|b|2
(iii) |a+b|=|a|+|b|a and b are like vectors
(iv) |a+b|=|ab|ab

  • If a=a1i^+a2j^+a3k^ and b=b1i^+b2j^+b3k^,
    then ab=a1b1+a2b2+a3b3.
  • If a,b are non-zero, the angle between them can be given by:
    cosθ=ab|a||b|=a1b1+a2b2+a3b3a12+a22+a32b12+b22+b32
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Projection of a vector along another vector

Projection of a on b is given by: ab|b|
Projection of b on a is given by: ab|a|
If θ=0, projection of AB will be AB only.
If θ=π, projection of AB will be BA.
If θ=π2 or 3π2, projection of AB will be zero.

Cross Product

θ is the angle between two non-parallel vectors a and b, then the cross product is given by a×b.
Formula : a×b=|a||b|sinθ

Property of Cross Product

The cross product is defined as

a×b=(|a||b|sinθ)n^
where n^ is the unit vector orthogonal to both a^ and b^ following the right-hand rule for direction, and θ is angle between the vectors.
If a=[a1,a2,a3] and b=[b1,b2,b3] then a×b=[a2b3a3b2,a3b1a1b3,a1b2a2b1]

The magnitude of the cross product vector is:
|a×b|=|a||b|sinθ
which also calculates the area of the parallelogram defined by a and b
The angle θ, between two vectors, a and b is given by:
θ=sin1(|a|×|b||a||b|)

For any vectors a,v and w and scalar kR
u×v=(v×u)u×(v+w)=u×v+u×w(u+v)×w=u×w+v×w

If u and v are non zero, u×v=0
if and only there is a scalar mR such that u=mv
k(u×v)=(ku)×v=u×(kv)

Vector algebra: Previous Year Question and Answer

Question 1:
Let a=i^+2j^+k^ and b=2i^+j^k^. Let c^ be a unit vector in the plane of the vectors a and b and be perpendicular to a. Then such a vector c^ is:

Solution:
c=xa+ybc=x(i^+2j^+k^)+y(2i^+j^k^)ac=(i^+2j^+k^)(x(i^+2j^+k^)+y(2i^+j^k^))(i^+2j^+k^)(xi^+2xj^+xk^)+2yi^+yj^yk^=0(x+2y)+2(x+9)+(xy)=0y=2xc=x(3i^+3k^)|c|=|x|9+9=3|x|2|c|=13|x|2=1|x|=132 Let x=132c=132(3i^+3k^)c=12(i^+k^)

Hence, the correct answer is 12(i^+k^).

Question 2:
Let a and b be the vectors of the same magnitude such that |a+b|+|ab||a+b||ab|=2+1. Then |a+b|2|a|2 is:

Solution:
|a+b|+|ab||a+b||ab|=2+1
Apply componendo and dividendo

2|a¯+b¯|2|a¯b¯|=2+22|a¯+b¯|=(1+2)|a¯b¯||a¯+b¯|2=(3+22)|a¯b¯|22|a¯|2+2a¯b¯=(3+22)(2|a¯|22a¯b¯)2|a¯|2(2+22)=2a¯b¯(4+22)a¯b¯|a¯|2=2+224+22=12
Now

|a¯+b¯|2|a¯|2=1+|b¯|2|a¯|2+2a¯b¯|a¯|2=1+1+2(12)=2+2

Hence, the correct answer is 2+2.

Question 3:

Let in a ABC, the length of the side AC be 6 , the vertex B be (1,2,3) and the vertices A,C lie on the line x63=y72=z72. Then the area (in sq. units) of ABC is:

Solution:

Compare the given equation with,

xx0a=yy0b=zz0c

We get, x0=6,y0=7,z0=7,a=3,b=2,c=2

And write the point in parametrized form (aλ+x0,bλ+y0,cλ+z0)

Let M(3λ+6,2λ+7,2λ+7)
BM=(3λ+5)i^+(2λ+5)j^+(2λ+4)k^
ACBM=0

Since, the dot product is zero, we can calculate the value of λ,

0=3(3λ+5)+2(2λ+5)2(2λ+4)

9λ+15+4λ+10+4λ8=0

17λ=17

λ=1

Now, put the value in the BM,

BM=(3×(1)+5)i^+(2×(1)+5)j^+(2×(1)+4)k^
BM=2i^+3j^+6k^

Let us calculate the magnitude of this vector,

|BM|=(2)2+(3)2+(62)

|BM|=4+9+36

|BM|=49
|BM|=7

We can calculate the area by using the formula:

Area =12×6×7=21 sq. units

Hence, the correct answer is 21.

NCERT Class 12 Notes Chapter Wise

For students' preparation, Careers360 has gathered all Class 8 Maths NCERT Notes here for quick and convenient access.

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Subject-Wise

After completing the NCERT textbooks, students should practice exemplar exercises for a better understanding of the chapters and clarity. The following links will help students find exemplar exercises.

NCERT Solutions Subject-Wise

These are links to the solutions of other subjects, which students can check to revise and strengthen those concepts.

NCERT Books and Syllabus

Students should always check the latest NCERT syllabus before planning their study routine. Also, some reference books should be read after completing the textbook exercises. The following links will be very helpful for students for these purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the key concepts to focus on in Vector Algebra?

The key concepts include:

  • Types of vectors

  • Representation of vectors in component form

  • Dot product and cross product

  • Geometric applications such as the area of a triangle, a parallelogram

  • Conditions for collinearity and coplanarity

2. How important is Vector Algebra for CBSE exams?

Vector Algebra is very important and generally carries around 8–10 marks. It also forms the base for 3D geometry, so understanding it well helps in multiple chapters.

3. Are NCERT notes enough to prepare for Vector Algebra?

These notes can be considered as an excellent revision tool. But students need to practice the NCERT textbook concepts and exercises to build a strong base for the CBSE board exams. If you're preparing for competitive exams like the JEE, you should solve extra questions from reference books (like RD Sharma and Cengage).

4. What is the difference between dot product and cross product?

Dot product results in a scalar and is related to the projection of one vector on another.

Cross product results in a vector perpendicular to the plane containing both vectors.

5. Is Vector Algebra used in physics?

Yes! Vector Algebra is widely used in physics for topics like force, motion, torque, electric field, and magnetic field. Mastering vectors makes physics problems much easier.

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