The number of values of $m \in R$ for which the vectors $\hat{\mathbf{i}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+m…

The number of values of $m \in R$ for which the vectors $\hat{\mathbf{i}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+m \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ and $\hat{\mathbf{i}}+m \hat{\mathbf{j}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ are collinear is
  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 1
  4. infinite

Solution

Vectors $\hat{\mathbf{i}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+m \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ and $\hat{\mathbf{i}}+m \hat{\mathbf{j}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ are collinear. $ \begin{aligned} \because \quad \mathbf{a} & =a_1 \hat{\mathbf{i}}+b_1 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+c_1 \hat{\mathbf{k}} \\ \mathbf{b} & =a_2 \hat{\mathbf{i}}+b_2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+c_2 \hat{\mathbf{k}} \text { are collinear } \end{aligned} $ Then, $\frac{a_1}{a_2}=\frac{b_1}{b_2}=\frac{c_1}{c_2}$ Now, $\mathbf{a}=\hat{\mathbf{i}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+m \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ and $\mathbf{b}=\hat{\mathbf{i}}+m \hat{\mathbf{j}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ are collinear $ \Rightarrow \quad \frac{1}{1}=\frac{2}{m}=\frac{m}{2} $ After solving, we get $ m=2 $ $\therefore$ Number of values of $m$ is 1

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2021 (24 Aug Shift 1)

Practice more Vectors questions on Aicharya