Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

-- Mathematics - Section B1

Chapter

Vectors

Question:

Let $\vec V=2\hat i+\hat j-\hat k$ and $\vec W =\hat i +3\hat k$. It $\vec U$ is a unit vector, then the maximum value of the scalar triple product $[\vec U\,\,\vec V\,\,\vec W]$, is

Options:

-1

$\sqrt{10}+\sqrt{6}$

$\sqrt{59}$

$\sqrt{60}$

Correct Answer:

$\sqrt{59}$

Explanation:

We have,

$[\vec U\,\,\vec V\,\,\vec W]=\vec U.(\vec V×\vec W)$

$⇒[\vec U\,\,\vec V\,\,\vec W]≤|\vec U||\vec V×\vec W|$  $[∵\vec a.\vec b≤|\vec a||\vec b|]$

$⇒[\vec U\,\,\vec V\,\,\vec W]≤|\vec V×\vec W|$

Now,

$\vec V×\vec W=\begin{vmatrix}\hat i&\hat j&\hat k\\2&1&-1\\1&0&3\end{vmatrix}=3\hat i-7\hat j-\hat k$

$∴|\vec V×\vec W|=\sqrt{9+49+1}=\sqrt{59}$

Hence, $[\vec U\,\,\vec V\,\,\vec W]≤\sqrt{59}$