If $\mathbf{a} = \hat{\mathbf{i}} + \hat{\mathbf{j}} + \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ and $\mathbf{b} = \hat{\mathbf{j}} - \hat{\mathbf{k}}$, then find a vector $\mathbf{c}$ such that $\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{c} = \mathbf{b}$ and $\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{c} = 3$.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → $\frac{1}{3}(5\hat{\mathbf{i}} + 2\hat{\mathbf{j}} + 2\hat{\mathbf{k}})$ ##
Let $\mathbf{c} = x\hat{\mathbf{i}} + y\hat{\mathbf{j}} + z\hat{\mathbf{k}}$
Also, $\mathbf{a} = \hat{\mathbf{i}} + \hat{\mathbf{j}} + \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ and $\mathbf{b} = \hat{\mathbf{j}} - \hat{\mathbf{k}}$
For $\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{c} = \mathbf{b}$,
$\begin{vmatrix} \hat{\mathbf{i}} & \hat{\mathbf{j}} & \hat{\mathbf{k}} \\ 1 & 1 & 1 \\ x & y & z \end{vmatrix} = \hat{\mathbf{j}} - \hat{\mathbf{k}}$
$\Rightarrow \hat{\mathbf{i}}(z - y) - \hat{\mathbf{j}}(z - x) + \hat{\mathbf{k}}(y - x) = \hat{\mathbf{j}} - \hat{\mathbf{k}}$
On comparing both sides, we get
$∴z - y = 0 \quad \dots(i)$
$x - z = 1 \quad \dots(ii)$
$y - x = -1 \quad \dots(iii)$
Also, $\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{c} = 3$ [given]
$(\hat{\mathbf{i}} + \hat{\mathbf{j}} + \hat{\mathbf{k}}) \cdot (x\hat{\mathbf{i}} + y\hat{\mathbf{j}} + z\hat{\mathbf{k}}) = 3 \quad \dots(iv)$
$\Rightarrow x + y + z = 3$
On adding Eqs. $(ii)$ and $(iii)$, we get
$2x - y - z = 2 \quad \dots(v)$
On adding Eqs. $(iv)$ and $(v)$, we get
$3x = 5$
$x = \frac{5}{3}$
On putting the value of $x$ in Eq. $(ii)$ to evaluate the value of $y, z$, we get
$∴y = \frac{5}{3} - 1 = \frac{2}{3} \text{ and } z = \frac{2}{3}$
Now, $\vec{c} = \frac{5}{3}\hat{\mathbf{i}} + \frac{2}{3}\hat{\mathbf{j}} + \frac{2}{3}\hat{\mathbf{k}}$
$= \frac{1}{3}(5\hat{\mathbf{i}} + 2\hat{\mathbf{j}} + 2\hat{\mathbf{k}})$