Access free live classes and tests on the app
Download
+
Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA
Login Join for Free
avtar
  • ProfileProfile
  • Settings Settings
  • Refer your friendsRefer your friends
  • Sign outSign out
  • Terms & conditions
  • •
  • Privacy policy
  • About
  • •
  • Careers
  • •
  • Blog

© 2023 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Watch Free Classes
    • Free courses
    • JEE Main 2024
    • JEE Main 2024 Live Paper Discussion
    • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
    • JEE Main College Predictor 2024
    • Stream Predictor
    • JEE Main 2024 Free Mock Test
    • Study Materials
    • Notifications
    • JEE Advanced Syllabus
    • JEE Books
    • JEE Main Question Paper
    • JEE Coaching
    • Downloads
    • JEE Notes & Lectures
    • JEE Daily Videos
    • Difference Between
    • Full Forms
    • Important Formulas
    • Exam Tips
JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Dot Product Properties of Vector

Dot Product Properties of Vector

The magnitude and direction of a vector quantity are the two most important characteristics of a vector quantity.

Table of Content
  •  

It is an algebraic operation in mathematics that takes two equal-length sequences of numbers (typically coordinate vectors) and returns a single number as a result of the operation. When Cartesian coordinates are used, these definitions are equivalent to one another. In modern geometry, vector spaces are frequently used to define Euclidean spaces, which is a result of their geometrical properties. In this case, the dot product is used to define lengths (the length of a vector is equal to the square root of the dot product of the vector by itself) and angles (the angle of a vector is equal to the square root of the dot product of the vector by itself) (the cosine of the angle of two vectors is the quotient of their dot product by the product of their lengths).

While the term “dot product” comes from dot in the centre “, which is commonly used to designate this operation, an alternate term known as the “scalar product” emphasises that the result is a scalar, rather than a vector, as is the case for the vector product in three-dimensional space.

Triple product

Dot product and cross product are two ternary operations that are used in mathematics.

The following is the definition of the scalar triple product of three vectors:

       a . ( b × c) = b . ( c × a) = c . ( a × b) 

In this case, its value is the determinant of the matrix whose columns correspond to the Cartesian coordinates of the three vectors in question. Hexagonal volume of the parallelepiped defined by the three vectors. Its three-dimensional special case of the exterior product of three vectors is isomorphic to the exterior product of three vectors.

The vector triple product is denoted by the equation, 

       a × ( b × c) = ( a . c) b – ( a . b) c

It is possible to remember this identity, also known as Lagrange’s formula, by remembering which vectors are dotted together and writing it down as “ACB minus ABC.” This formula has applications in physics, where it can be used to simplify vector calculations.

Equality of vectors

When two vectors with the same magnitude and direction are compared, they are considered to be equal vectors. Consequently, a vector does not change its original position when it is translated to a new position without changing its direction or rotating, a process known as parallel translation. Both the vectors before and after the position change are equal vectors in magnitude. Nonetheless, it would be preferable if you could recall that vectors of the same physical quantity should be compared in the same context. Example: It is possible to equate the force vector of 10 N in the positive x-axis with the velocity vector of 10 m/s in the positive x-axis in a practical manner.

Vector addition

Vector addition is governed by two laws, namely the commutative law and the associative law, respectively.

Commutative law

It makes no difference in what order two vectors are added together. This law is referred to as the parallelogram law in some circles. A parallelogram with two adjacent edges denoted by a + b and another duo of edges denoted by b + a. Both sums are equal, and the value of the parallelogram is equal to the magnitude of the diagonal of the triangle.

Associative law

The addition of three vectors is independent of the addition of the pair of vectors that came before them. (a+b)+c=a+(b+c).

Conclusion

The magnitude and direction of a vector quantity are the two most important characteristics of a vector quantity. When two vectors with the same magnitude and direction are compared, they are considered to be equal vectors. Both the vectors before and after the position change are equal vectors in magnitude. Vector addition is governed by two laws, namely the commutative law and the associative law, respectively.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

What exactly is the vector product and what does it mean?

Ans. The vector product, also known as the cross product, is a mathematical operation. It is defined as the product ...Read full

What are the properties of vectors and how do they work?

Ans. Vectors have a number of characteristics, some of which are as follows:...Read full

What are Collinear Vectors, and how do they work?

Ans. Parallel and antiparallel collinear vectors are vectors that are parallel and antiparallel to each other, irres...Read full

What is the application of vectors in real life?

Ans. If you think about vectors in your everyday life, you could imagine them being used to describe the velocity of...Read full

When are two vectors referred to as parallel vectors and when are they not?

Ans. If two or more vectors are moving in the same direction, they are said to be parallel. Furthermore, the cross-p...Read full

Ans. The vector product, also known as the cross product, is a mathematical operation. It is defined as the product of two vectors that results in a vector quantity when multiplied together. This resultant vector is perpendicular to the two vectors that were given and is normal to the plane in which the two vectors are present.

Ans. Vectors have a number of characteristics, some of which are as follows:

  • The addition of vectors is commutative and associative, which means that ab = ba and a(bc) = (ab)c are both valid solutions
  • The zero vector serves as the additive identity of vectors, meaning that a + 0 = a
  • When a vector has an additive inverse, it is equal to the vector’s negative, which is expressed as a + (-a) = 0
  • Associative multiplication of vectors is used in scalar multiplication. r(ab) = (ra)b

Ans. Parallel and antiparallel collinear vectors are vectors that are parallel and antiparallel to each other, irrespective of their magnitude. Collinear vectors always have the same cross-product, and this is always zero.

Ans. If you think about vectors in your everyday life, you could imagine them being used to describe the velocity of an aeroplane, where it is important to know both the speed and the direction of the aircraft’s movement. Electromagnetic induction is a result of the interaction of electric and magnetic forces.

Ans. If two or more vectors are moving in the same direction, they are said to be parallel. Furthermore, the cross-product of parallel vectors is always equal to zero (see below). A parallel vector has an angle between it and another parallel vector that is either 0° or 180°, and the cross product of two parallel vectors equals zero. a.b = |a|.|b|Sin 0° = 0.

Crack IIT JEE with Unacademy

Get subscription and access unlimited live and recorded courses from India’s best educators

  • Structured syllabus
  • Daily live classes
  • Ask doubts
  • Tests & practice
Learn more

Notifications

Get all the important information related to the JEE Exam including the process of application, important calendar dates, eligibility criteria, exam centers etc.

Allotment of Examination Centre
JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria
JEE Advanced Exam Dates
JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2023
JEE Advanced Syllabus
JEE Application Fee
JEE Application Process
JEE Eligibility Criteria 2023
JEE Exam Language and Centres
JEE Exam Pattern – Check JEE Paper Pattern 2024
JEE Examination Scheme
JEE Main 2024 Admit Card (OUT) – Steps to Download Session 1 Hall Ticket
JEE Main Application Form
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2024
JEE Main Exam Dates
JEE Main Exam Pattern
JEE Main Highlights
JEE Main Paper Analysis
JEE Main Question Paper with Solutions and Answer Keys
JEE Main Result 2022 (Out)
JEE Main Revised Dates
JEE Marking Scheme
JEE Preparation Books 2024 – JEE Best Books (Mains and Advanced)
Online Applications for JEE (Main)-2022 Session 2
Reserved Seats
See all

Related articles

Learn more topics related to Mathematics
Zero Vector

A zero vector is defined as a line segment coincident with its beginning and ending points. Primary Keyword: Zero Vector

ZERO MATRIX

In this article, we will discuss about the zero matrix and it’s properties.

YARDS TO FEET

In this article we will discuss the conversion of yards into feet and feets to yard.

XVI Roman Numeral

In this article we are going to discuss XVI Roman Numerals and its origin.

See all
Access more than

10,505+ courses for IIT JEE

Get subscription

Trending Topics

  • JEE Main 2024
  • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
  • JEE Main Mock Test 2024
  • JEE Main 2024 Admit Card
  • JEE Advanced Syllabus
  • JEE Preparation Books
  • JEE Notes
  • JEE Advanced Toppers
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Question Paper
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Answer Key
  • JEE Main Question Paper
  • JEE Main Answer key 2022
  • JEE Main Paper Analysis 2022
  • JEE Main Result
  • JEE Exam Pattern
  • JEE Main Eligibility
  • JEE College predictor
combat_iitjee

Related links

  • JEE Study Materials
  • CNG Full Form
  • Dimensional Formula of Pressure
  • Reimer Tiemann Reaction
  • Vector Triple Product
  • Swarts Reaction
  • Focal length of Convex Lens
  • Root mean square velocities
  • Fehling’s solution
testseries_iitjee
Predict your JEE Rank
.
Company Logo

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Download our apps to start learning


Starting your preparation?

Call us and we will answer all your questions about learning on Unacademy

Call +91 8585858585

Company
About usShikshodayaCareers
we're hiring
BlogsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Help & support
User GuidelinesSite MapRefund PolicyTakedown PolicyGrievance Redressal
Products
Learner appLearner appEducator appEducator appParent appParent app
Popular goals
IIT JEEUPSCSSCCSIR UGC NETNEET UG
Trending exams
GATECATCANTA UGC NETBank Exams
Study material
UPSC Study MaterialNEET UG Study MaterialCA Foundation Study MaterialJEE Study MaterialSSC Study Material

© 2026 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA

Share via

COPY