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Vector Algebra question
2023 · 31 Jan · Shift 2 · Q42
JEE MainMathematicsVector AlgebraNumerical+4 / −1
Let a,b,c be three vectors such that ∣a∣=31,4∣b∣=∣c∣=2 and 2(a×b)=3(c×a). If the angle between b and c is 32π, then (a⋅ba×c)2 is equal to .
Numerical answer
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Correct answer: 3
Given data
We have
| a|=\sqrt{31}, \qquad 4|\vec b|=2, \qquad |\vec c|=2.
So,
∣b∣=21,∣c∣=2.
Also,
2(a×b)=3(c×a).
Since
c×a=−(a×c),
this becomes
2(a×b)=−3(a×c).
Hence,
a×(2b+3c)=0.
Therefore, 2b+3c is parallel to a.
So there exists some scalar λ such that
a=λ(2b+3c).
Use magnitude of a to find λ
First compute
∣2b+3c∣2=4∣b∣2+9∣c∣2+12(b⋅c).
Now,
∣b∣=21,∣c∣=2,∠(b,c)=32π,
so
b⋅c=∣b∣∣c∣cos32π=21⋅2⋅(−21)=−21.
Thus,
∣2b+3c∣2=4(41)+9(4)+12(−21)=1+36−6=31.
So,
∣2b+3c∣=31.
But ∣a∣=31 too, and
a=λ(2b+3c).
Hence,
∣λ∣=1.
So we may take
a=±(2b+3c).
The required quantity is squared, so sign will not matter.
Compute a⋅b
Using a=2b+3c,
a⋅b=(2b+3c)⋅b=2∣b∣2+3(c⋅b).
Now,
and
3(b⋅c)=3(−21)=−23.
Therefore,
a⋅b=21−23=−1.
If a=−(2b+3c), then this becomes 1; in either case, the square is same.
So,
(a⋅b)2=1.
Compute ∣a×c∣
Again using a=2b+3c,
a×c=(2b+3c)×c=2(b×c)+3(c×c)=2(b×c).
Thus,
Now,
∣b×c∣=∣b∣∣c∣sin32π=21⋅2⋅23=23.
Hence,
∣a×c∣=2⋅23=3.
So,
∣a×c∣2=3.