Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

-- Mathematics - Section B1

Chapter

Vectors

Question:

A non-zero vector \(\vec{a}\) is parallel to the line of intersection of the plane determined by the vectors \(\hat{i}\), \(\hat{i} + \hat{j}\) and the plane determined by the vectors \(\hat{i} - \hat{j}\), \(\hat{i}+ \hat{j}\). The angle between \(\vec{a}\) and the  vector \(\hat{i}-2\hat{j}+\hat{k}\) is :

 

Options:

\(\frac{\pi}{4}\)

\(\frac{\pi}{2}\)

\(\frac{\pi}{6}\)

\(\frac{\pi}{3}\)

Correct Answer:

\(\frac{\pi}{4}\)

Explanation:

Since \(\vec{a}\) is parallel to the line of intersection of the two planes, it is parallel to both the planes. Thus, \(\vec{a}\) is perpendicular to the normals of both the planes.

Hence, \(\vec{a}\).[\(\hat{i}\)x(\(\hat{i}\) + \(\hat{j}\))] = 0 and \(\vec{a}\).[(\(\hat{i} - \hat{j}\))x(\(\hat{j}+\hat{k} )\)] = 0

\(\vec{a}.\hat{k} = 0\) and \(\vec{}.[(\hat{i}+\hat{j})] = 0\) so that \(\vec{a}\) is in the direction of \(\hat{i}-\hat{j}\)

Hence, \(\vec{a} = \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (\hat{i}-\hat{j})\). If \(\theta\) is the angle between the given vector and \(\vec{a}\), 

\(\cos {\theta} = \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} [\hat{i}-\hat{j}].\frac{1}{3} [\hat{i} - 2\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}]  = \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\) 

⇒ \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{4}\) or \(\frac{3\pi}{4}\)