Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

-- Mathematics - Section B1

Chapter

Vectors

Question:

If $\vec a,\vec b$ are unit vectors such that $|\vec a+\vec b|=1$ and $|\vec a-\vec b|=\sqrt{3}$, then $|3\vec a+2\vec b|=$

Options:

7

4

$\sqrt{7}$

$\sqrt{19}$

Correct Answer:

$\sqrt{7}$

Explanation:

Let θ be the angle between a and b. Then,

$\tan\frac{θ}{2}=\frac{|\vec a-\vec b|}{|\vec a+\vec b|}⇒\tan\frac{θ}{2}=\sqrt{3}⇒θ=120°$

$∴\vec a.\vec b=|\vec a||\vec b|\cos θ=\cos 120°=-\frac{1}{2}$

Now,

$|3\vec a+2\vec b|^2=9|\vec a|^2+4|\vec b|^2+12(\vec a.\vec b)$

$⇒|3\vec a+2\vec b|^2=9+4+12×(-\frac{1}{2})=7$

$⇒|3\vec a+2\vec b|=\sqrt{7}$