Target Exam

CUET

Subject

-- Mathematics - Section B1

Chapter

Vectors

Question:

If $\vec a, \vec b$ and $\vec c$ be vectors such that $\vec a+\vec b+\vec c=\vec 0, |\vec a| = 3, |\vec b| = 5$ and $|\vec c|= 7$, then the angle between $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ is

Options:

$\frac{\pi}{2}$

$\frac{\pi}{3}$

$\frac{\pi}{4}$

$\frac{\pi}{6}$

Correct Answer:

$\frac{\pi}{3}$

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) → $\frac{\pi}{3}$

Given: $\vec{a} + \vec{b} + \vec{c} = \vec{0} \Rightarrow \vec{c} = -(\vec{a} + \vec{b})$

Take magnitudes squared:

$|\vec{c}|^{2} = |\vec{a} + \vec{b}|^{2}$

$\Rightarrow c^{2} = a^{2} + b^{2} + 2ab\cos\theta$

Substitute $a=3,\;b=5,\;c=7$

$7^{2} = 3^{2} + 5^{2} + 2(3)(5)\cos\theta$

$49 = 9 + 25 + 30\cos\theta$

$49 - 34 = 30\cos\theta$

$15 = 30\cos\theta$

$\cos\theta = \frac{1}{2}$

$\Rightarrow \theta = 60^{\circ}$

Angle between $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}$ is $60^{\circ}$