Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Section B1

Chapter

Vectors

Question:

Find a vector in the direction of vector $\vec{a} = \hat{i} - 2\hat{j}$ that has magnitude 7 units.

Options:

$\frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{i} - \frac{2}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{j}$

$7\hat{i} - 14\hat{j}$

$\frac{7}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{i} - \frac{14}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{j}$

$\sqrt{5}(7\hat{i} - 14\hat{j})$

Correct Answer:

$\frac{7}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{i} - \frac{14}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{j}$

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) → $\frac{7}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{i} - \frac{14}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{j}$ ##

The unit vector in the direction of the given vector $\vec{a}$ is

$\hat{a} = \frac{1}{|\vec{a}|}\vec{a} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}(\hat{i} - 2\hat{j}) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{i} - \frac{2}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{j}$

Therefore, the vector having magnitude equal to 7 and in the direction of $\vec{a}$ is

$7\hat{a} = 7\left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{i} - \frac{2}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{j} \right) = \frac{7}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{i} - \frac{14}{\sqrt{5}}\hat{j}$