Three non-zero non-collinear vectors $\hat{\mathbf{a}}, \mathbf{b}$ and $\hat{\mathbf{c}}$ are such that…

Three non-zero non-collinear vectors $\hat{\mathbf{a}}, \mathbf{b}$ and $\hat{\mathbf{c}}$ are such that $\hat{\mathbf{a}}+3 \hat{\mathbf{b}}$ is collinear with $\hat{\mathbf{c}}$, while $\hat{\mathbf{c}}$ is $3 \hat{\mathbf{b}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{c}}$ collinear with $\hat{\mathbf{a}}$. Then $\hat{\mathbf{a}}+3 \hat{\mathbf{b}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{c}}$ equals to
  1. $0$
  2. $2 \hat{\mathbf{a}}$
  3. $3 \hat{\mathbf{b}}$
  4. $4 \hat{\mathbf{c}}$

Solution

Given, $\mathbf{a}+3 \mathbf{b}$ is collinear with c. $ \begin{array}{rrr} \therefore & a+3 b=\lambda c \\ \text { or } & a+3 b-\lambda c=0 \end{array} $ And $3 \mathbf{b}+2 \mathbf{c}$ is collinear with $\mathbf{a}$. $ \begin{aligned} \therefore \quad 3 b+2 c & =\mu \mathrm{a} \\ 3 b+2 c-\mu a & =0 \end{aligned} $ From Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get $ a+3 b-\lambda c=3 b+2 c-\mu a $ On equating $c$, we get $ \lambda=-2 $ On putting $\lambda=-2$ in Eq. (i), we get $ \mathbf{a}+3 \mathbf{b}+2 \mathbf{c}=0 $

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2014

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