Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

-- Mathematics - Section B1

Chapter

Vectors

Question:

A vector of magnitude 4 which is equally inclined to $\hat i+\hat j,\hat j +\hat k$ and $\hat k +\hat i$, is

Options:

$\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}}(\hat i-\hat j-\hat k)$

$\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}}(\hat i+\hat j-\hat k)$

$\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}}(\hat i+\hat j+\hat k)$

none of these

Correct Answer:

$\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}}(\hat i+\hat j+\hat k)$

Explanation:

Let the required vector be $\vec r = x\hat i+y\hat j + z\hat k$. Then,

$|\vec r|=4⇒x^2+ y^2+z^2=16$  ...(i)

Now, $\vec r$ is equally inclined to the vectors $\hat i +\hat j,\hat j +\hat k$ and $\hat k + \hat i$.

$∴\frac{\vec r.(\hat i+\hat j)}{|\vec r|\sqrt{2}}=\frac{\vec r.(\hat j+\hat k)}{|\vec r|\sqrt{2}}=\frac{\vec r.(\hat k+\hat i)}{|\vec r|\sqrt{2}}$

$⇒x + y = y + z = z + x = λ (say)$

$⇒2(x + y + z) = 3λ⇒ x + y + z =\frac{3λ}{2}$

Now, $x+y=λ$ and $x + y + z =\frac{3λ}{2}⇒z=\frac{λ}{2}$

Similarly, we have $x = y=\frac{λ}{2}$

Substituting these values in (i), we get $λ = ±\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}$

Hence, $\vec r=±\frac{8}{2\sqrt{3}}(\hat i+\hat j+\hat k)=±\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}}(\hat i+\hat j+\hat k)$