If the position vectors of the vertices of a triangle are $2…

If the position vectors of the vertices of a triangle are $2 \hat{\mathbf{i}}-\hat{\mathbf{j}}+\hat{\mathbf{k}}, \quad \hat{\mathbf{i}}-3 \hat{\mathbf{j}}-5 \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ and $3 \hat{\mathbf{i}}-4 \hat{\mathbf{j}}-4 \hat{\mathbf{k}}$, then the triangle is
  1. equilateral
  2. isosceles
  3. right angled isosceles
  4. right angled

Solution

Let $\mathbf{A}=2 \hat{\mathbf{i}}-\hat{\mathbf{j}}+\hat{\mathbf{k}}, \mathbf{B}=\hat{\mathbf{i}}-3 \hat{\mathbf{j}}-5 \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ $\mathbf{C}=3 \hat{\mathbf{i}}-4 \hat{\mathbf{j}}-4 \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ $ A B=-\hat{\mathbf{i}}-2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}-6 \hat{\mathbf{k}}, \mathrm{BC}=2 \hat{\mathbf{i}}-\hat{\mathbf{j}}+\hat{\mathbf{k}} $ and $ \begin{aligned} & \mathbf{C A}=-\hat{\mathbf{i}}+3 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+\hat{\mathbf{k}} \\ & a=|\mathbf{B C}|=\sqrt{4+1+1}=\sqrt{6} \\ & b=|\mathbf{C A}|=\sqrt{1+9+25}=\sqrt{35} \\ & c=|\mathbf{A B}|=\sqrt{1+4+36}=\sqrt{41} \end{aligned} $ Now, $c^2=a^2+b^2$ $ \begin{aligned} \Rightarrow \quad 41 & =6+35 \\ & =41=41 \end{aligned} $ $\therefore$ It is right angled triangle

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2002

Practice more Vectors questions on Aicharya