Let veca = 2hati - 3hatj + hatk, vecb = 3hati + 2hatj + 5hatk and a vector vecc be such that (veca - vecc) times vecb = -18hati - 3hatj + 12hatk and veca cdot vecc = 3. If vecb times vecc = vecd, then |veca cdot vecd| is equal to:

Solution & Explanation

### Related Formula textVector Cross product distributes over subtraction: (veca - vecc) times vecb = veca times vecb - vecc times vecb textScalar Triple Product cyclic identity: veca cdot (vecb times vecc) = (veca times vecb) cdot vecc textAntisymmetry: vecc times vecb = - vecb times vecc ### Core Logic Instead of solving for the individual coordinates of vector vecc, we apply vector algebraic identities to compute the target scalar triple product directly. ### Step 1: Expand and rewrite the cross product Given (veca - vecc) times vecb = -18hatmathrmi - 3hatmathrmj + 12hatmathrmk: veca times vecb - vecc times vecb = -18hatmathrmi - 3hatmathrmj + 12hatmathrmk veca times vecb + vecb times vecc = -18hatmathrmi - 3hatmathrmj + 12hatmathrmk vecb times vecc = (-18hatmathrmi - 3hatmathrmj + 12hatmathrmk) - (veca times vecb) quad text--- (1) ### Step 2: Calculate a x b Evaluate the cross product: veca times vecb = beginvmatrix hatmathrmi & hatmathrmj & hatmathrmk \\ 2 & -3 & 1 \\ 3 & 2 & 5 endvmatrix veca times vecb = hatmathrmi(-15 - 2) - hatmathrmj(10 - 3) + hatmathrmk(4 - (-9)) = -17hatmathrmi - 7hatmathrmj + 13hatmathrmk ### Step 3: Solve for the vector d Substitute veca times vecb back into equation (1): vecd = vecb times vecc = (-18hatmathrmi - 3hatmathrmj + 12hatmathrmk) - (-17hatmathrmi - 7hatmathrmj + 13hatmathrmk) vecd = -hatmathrmi + 4hatmathrmj - hatmathrmk ### Step 4: Compute the final dot product Now compute the requested dot product: veca cdot vecd = (2hatmathrmi - 3hatmathrmj + hatmathrmk) cdot (-hatmathrmi + 4hatmathrmj - hatmathrmk) veca cdot vecd = 2(-1) + (-3)(4) + 1(-1) = -2 - 12 - 1 = -15 left| veca cdot vecd right| = 15 ### Pattern Recognition Scalar triple product shortcut: Recognizing that veca cdot vecd = veca cdot (vecb times vecc) = [ veca \, vecb \, vecc ] allows you to find the scalar value through simple determinants and linear equations instead of solving for the vector components. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Mathematics: Vector Algebra

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More Vector Algebra Previous-Year Questions

Q5 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Cross Product and Dot Product Operations
Let veca = -hati + 2hatj + 2hatk , vecb = 8hati + 7hatj - 3hatk and vecc be a vector such that veca times vecc = vecb . If vecc. (hati + hatj + hatk) = 4 , then |veca + vecc|^2 is equal to:
  • A. 33
  • B. 30
  • C. 35
  • D. 27

Solution

### Related Formula veca times vecc = beginvmatrix hati & hatj & hatk \\ a_1 & a_2 & a_3 \\ c_1 & c_2 & c_3 endvmatrix ### Core Logic Let the unknown vector be vecc = c_1hati + c_2hatj + c_3hatk. Given veca = -hati + 2hatj + 2hatk and vecb = 8hati + 7hatj - 3hatk. Compute the cross product veca times vecc: veca times vecc = (2c_3 - 2c_2)hati + (-1 cdot c_3 - 2c_1)(-1)hatj + (-1 cdot c_2 - 2c_1)hatk = (2c_3 - 2c_2)hati + (c_3 + 2c_1)hatj - (c_2 + 2c_1)hatk ### Step 1: Equate components to find c Equating this to vecb: 2c_3 - 2c_2 = 8 Rightarrow c_3 - c_2 = 4 c_3 + 2c_1 = 7 -(c_2 + 2c_1) = -3 Rightarrow c_2 + 2c_1 = 3 We are also given vecc cdot (hati + hatj + hatk) = 4: c_1 + c_2 + c_3 = 4
Cross product vectors calculation Q5 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Cross product vectors calculation Q5 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
### Step 2: Solve the linear system From the dot product equation: c_1 = 4 - c_2 - c_3. Substitute into c_2 + 2c_1 = 3: c_2 + 2(4 - c_2 - c_3) = 3 Rightarrow 8 - c_2 - 2c_3 = 3 Rightarrow c_2 + 2c_3 = 5 We have the system: c_3 - c_2 = 4 Rightarrow c_2 = c_3 - 4 Substitute into above: (c_3 - 4) + 2c_3 = 5 Rightarrow 3c_3 = 9 Rightarrow c_3 = 3 Then c_2 = 3 - 4 = -1. Then c_1 = 4 - (-1) - 3 = 2. So, vecc = 2hati - hatj + 3hatk. ### Step 3: Evaluate the final expression veca + vecc = (-hati + 2hatj + 2hatk) + (2hati - hatj + 3hatk) = hati + hatj + 5hatk |veca + vecc|^2 = 1^2 + 1^2 + 5^2 = 1 + 1 + 25 = 27 ### Pattern Recognition Whenever veca times vecc = vecb and a dot product constraint is given, simply expand vecc algebraically as (c_1, c_2, c_3). The cross product and dot product create an easily solvable 3x3 linear system. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra
Q7 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Collinearity and Cross Product of Vectors
Let vecc and vecd be vectors such that |vecc+vecd|=sqrt29 and vecctimes(2hati+3hatj+4hatk)=(2hati+3hatj+4hatk)timesvecd . If lambda_1,lambda_2(lambda_1>lambda_2) are the possible values of (vecc+vecd).(-7hati+2hatj+3hatk) , then the equation K^2x^2+(K^2-5K+lambda_1)xy+left(3K+fraclambda_22right)y^2-8x+12y+lambda_2=0 represents a circle, for k equal to:
  • A. 4
  • B. 1
  • C. -1
  • D. 2

Solution

### Related Formula vecu times vecv = -(vecv times vecu) General equation of a circle requires coefficient of x^2 = coefficient of y^2 and coefficient of xy = 0. ### Core Logic Given vecc times (2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk) = (2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk) times vecd Rearranging: vecc times (2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk) + vecd times (2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk) = vec0 (vecc + vecd) times (2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk) = vec0 This implies vecc + vecd is parallel to 2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk. Let vecc + vecd = lambda (2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk). ### Step 1: Find the scaling factor Given |vecc + vecd| = sqrt29 |lambda| sqrt2^2 + 3^2 + 4^2 = sqrt29 |lambda| sqrt4 + 9 + 16 = sqrt29 |lambda| sqrt29 = sqrt29 Rightarrow lambda = pm 1 Therefore, vecc + vecd = pm(2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk). ### Step 2: Evaluate the dot product limits We need values of (vecc + vecd) cdot (-7hati + 2hatj + 3hatk). Dot product = lambda(2(-7) + 3(2) + 4(3)) = lambda(-14 + 6 + 12) = 4lambda. Since lambda = pm 1, the possible values are 4 and -4. Given lambda_1 > lambda_2, we have lambda_1 = 4 and lambda_2 = -4. ### Step 3: Apply circle constraints Substitute lambda_1 and lambda_2 into the conic equation: K^2 x^2 + (K^2 - 5K + 4)xy + left(3K - 2right)y^2 - 8x + 12y - 4 = 0 For this to represent a circle: 1) Coefficient of xy must be 0: K^2 - 5K + 4 = 0 Rightarrow K = 1, 4 2) Coefficient of x^2 must equal coefficient of y^2: K^2 = 3K - 2 Rightarrow K^2 - 3K + 2 = 0 Rightarrow K = 1, 2 The common value satisfying both conditions is K = 1. ### Pattern Recognition Cross-product equations mapping to X times A = -Y times A perfectly factor out to (X+Y) times A = 0, guaranteeing (X+Y) is a scalar multiple of A. This immediately unlocks vector magnitudes. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections
Q jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Vector Projections
If veca is a nonzero vector such that its projections on the vectors 2hatmathbfi - hatmathbfj + 2hatmathbfk, hatmathbfi + 2hatmathbfj - 2hatmathbfk and hatmathbfk are equal, then a unit vector along veca is:
  • A. frac1sqrt155left(-7hatmathrmi + 9hatmathrmj + 5hatmathrmkright)
  • B. frac1sqrt155left(-7hatmathrmi + 9hatmathrmj - 5hatmathrmkright)
  • C. frac1sqrt155left(7hatmathrmi + 9hatmathrmj + 5hatmathrmkright)
  • D. frac1sqrt155left(7hatmathrmi + 9hatmathrmj - 5hatmathrmkright)

Solution

### Related Formula The projection of vector veca onto vector vecb is: textProj_vecbveca = fracveca cdot vecb|vecb| ### Core Logic Let veca = a_1hatmathbfi + a_2hatmathbfj + a_3hatmathbfk. Set up equations equating the three projections to determine the ratios of components. ### Step 1: Set up Projection Ratios Let vecb = 2hatmathbfi-hatmathbfj+2hatmathbfk implies |vecb| = 3 Let vecc = hatmathbfi+2hatmathbfj-2hatmathbfk implies |vecc| = 3 Let vecd = hatmathbfk implies |vecd| = 1 Equating projections: frac2a_1 - a_2 + 2a_33 = fraca_1 + 2a_2 - 2a_33 = fraca_31 ### Step 2: Solve System of Linear Equations From the last equality: 2a_1 - a_2 + 2a_3 = 3a_3 implies 2a_1 - a_2 = a_3 quad dots (1) a_1 + 2a_2 - 2a_3 = 3a_3 implies a_1 + 2a_2 = 5a_3 quad dots (2) Multiply (1) by 2 and add to (2): 4a_1 - 2a_2 + a_1 + 2a_2 = 2a_3 + 5a_3 implies 5a_1 = 7a_3 implies a_1 = frac75a_3 Substitute back to find a_2: a_2 = 2a_1 - a_3 = 2left(frac75a_3right) - a_3 = frac95a_3 ### Step 3: Normalize to Unit Vector The vector components are in ratio a_1 : a_2 : a_3 = frac75 : frac95 : 1 = 7 : 9 : 5. textMagnitude factor = sqrt7^2 + 9^2 + 5^2 = sqrt49 + 81 + 25 = sqrt155 Thus, the unit vector is: hata = frac1sqrt155left(7hatmathbfi + 9hatmathbfj + 5hatmathbfkright) ### Pattern Recognition Looking at the options, only option (3) provides components with positive signs for all three unit basis elements matching our proportional derivation of 7:9:5 directly. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Physics: Vector Algebra
Q74 jee_main_2025_03_april_evening Vector Products
Let veca = hati + 2hatj + hatk, vecb = 3hati - 3hatj + 3hatk, vecc = 2hati - hatj + 2hatk and vecd be a vector such that vecb times vecd = vecc times vecd and veca cdot vecd = 4. Then |(veca times vecd)|^2 is equal to
Numerical Answer. Answer: 128 to 128

Solution

### Related Formula Lagrange's Identity: |vecu times vecv|^2 = |vecu|^2 |vecv|^2 - (vecu cdot vecv)^2 Also, if vecu times vecw = vecv times vecw implies (vecu - vecv) times vecw = 0 implies vecw is parallel/collinear to vecu - vecv. ### Core Logic Rearranging the cross product: vecb times vecd - vecc times vecd = vec0 implies (vecb - vecc) times vecd = vec0 Thus, vecd = lambda (vecb - vecc). ### Step 1: Finding vector vecd Calculate (vecb - vecc): vecb - vecc = (3hati - 3hatj + 3hatk) - (2hati - hatj + 2hatk) = hati - 2hatj + hatk Therefore: vecd = lambda(hati - 2hatj + hatk) Substitute into veca cdot vecd = 4: lambda(hati + 2hatj + hatk) cdot (hati - 2hatj + hatk) = 4 lambda(1 - 4 + 1) = 4 implies -2lambda = 4 implies lambda = -2 Thus: vecd = -2(hati - 2hatj + hatk) = -2hati + 4hatj - 2hatk |vecd|^2 = (-2)^2 + 4^2 + (-2)^2 = 4 + 16 + 4 = 24 ### Step 2: Calculating |veca times vecd|^2 using Lagrange's Identity Given |veca|^2 = 1^2 + 2^2 + 1^2 = 6: |veca times vecd|^2 = |veca|^2 |vecd|^2 - (veca cdot vecd)^2 |veca times vecd|^2 = 6 times 24 - 4^2 = 144 - 16 = 128 ### Pattern Recognition Applying Lagrange's Identity avoids computing the actual cross product determinants vector-by-vector. This is extremely efficient and reduces chances of sign errors. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Mathematics: Vector Algebra

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