The scalar product of the vector a → = i ^ + j ^ + k ^ with a unit vector along the sum of the vectors…

The scalar product of the vector a=i^+j^+k^ with a unit vector along the sum of the vectors b=2i^+4j^-5k^ and c=λi^+2j^+3k^ is equal to one. Then. λ=
  1. -1
  2. 1
  3. -2
  4. 2

Solution

Given,

a=i^+j^+k^ ...i

b=2i^+4j^-5k^

c=λi^+2j^+3k^

Now,

b+c=λ+2i^+6j^-2k^

Let unit vector b be the vector along b+c

b=(λ+2)i^+6j^-2k^(λ+2)2+36+4

b=(λ+2)i^+6j^-2k^(λ+2)2+40...ii

Now,

 a·b=1

i^+j^+k^. (λ+2)i^+6j^-2k^(λ+2)2+40=1

(λ+2)+6-2(λ+2)2+40=1

(λ+2)+6-2(λ+2)2+40=1

λ+6(λ+2)2+40=1

λ+6=λ+22+40

Squaring both sides, we get

(λ+6)2=(λ+2)2+40

λ2+12λ+36= λ2+4λ+4+40

12λ+36=4λ+44

8λ=8

=λ=1.

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2020 (23 Sep Shift 1)

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