Let \(\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{w}\) be three vectors in \(R^3\). Then, any vector \(Z \in…

Let \(\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{w}\) be three vectors in \(R^3\). Then, any vector \(Z \in \mathbf{R}^3\) can be written as \(z=a \mathbf{u}+b \mathbf{v}+c \mathbf{w}\) for some scalars \(a, b\) and \(c\) if and only if
  1. Each pair of \(\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{w}\) are not parallel
  2. Each of \(\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{w}\) can be written as a linear combination of the other two
  3. All have different magnitude and directions
  4. None of the options are correct

Solution

As given vector \(u, v\) and \(\mathbf{w}\) given may be not parallel but they may be antiparallel So, \(\mathbf{z} \neq a \mathbf{u}+b \mathbf{v}+c \mathbf{w}\) So first is incorrect. Also, if \(\mathbf{u}=\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{w}\) \(\begin{gathered} \mathbf{v}=\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{w} \\ \mathbf{w}=\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v} \end{gathered}\) Then, \(\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{w}=2(\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{w})\) \(\Rightarrow \quad \mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{w}=\mathbf{0} \neq \mathbf{z}\) So, option (b) is incorrect. Similarly, option (c) is incorrect.

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2020 (17 Sep Shift 2)

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