If $\bar{a}$ and $\bar{b}$ are two unit vectors such that $\bar{a}+2 \bar{b}$ and $5 \bar{a}-4 \bar{b}$ are…

If $\bar{a}$ and $\bar{b}$ are two unit vectors such that $\bar{a}+2 \bar{b}$ and $5 \bar{a}-4 \bar{b}$ are perpendicular to each other, then the angle between $\bar{a}$ and $\bar{b}$ is
  1. $\frac{\pi}{3}$
  2. $\frac{\pi}{6}$
  3. $\frac{\pi}{4}$
  4. $\frac{2 \pi}{3}$

Solution

Given that, $\overline{\mathrm{a}}+2 \overline{\mathrm{b}}$ and $5 \overline{\mathrm{a}}-4 \overline{\mathrm{b}}$ are perpendicular to each other. $\begin{array}{ll} \therefore \quad(\overline{\mathrm{a}}+2 \overline{\mathrm{b}}) \cdot(5 \overline{\mathrm{a}}-4 \overline{\mathrm{b}})=0 \\ \Rightarrow 5|-\overline{\mathrm{a}}|^2-8|\overline{\mathrm{b}}|^2-4 \overline{\mathrm{a}} \cdot \overline{\mathrm{b}}+10 \overline{\mathrm{b}} \cdot \overline{\mathrm{a}}=0 \\ \Rightarrow-3+6 \overline{\mathrm{a}} \cdot \overline{\mathrm{b}}=0 \ldots[|\bar{a}|=|\bar{b}|=1]\\ \Rightarrow 6|\overline{\mathrm{a}}||\overline{\mathrm{b}}| \cos \theta=3 \\ \Rightarrow \cos \theta=\frac{1}{2} \\ \Rightarrow \theta=\frac{\pi}{3} \end{array}$

Asked in: MHT CET 2023 (10 May Shift 2)

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