Solution
Related Formula
a × c = vmatrix i & j & k a₁ & a₂ & a₃ c₁ & c₂ & c₃ vmatrixCore Logic
Let the unknown vector be c = c₁ i + c₂ j + c₃ k. Given a = - i + 2 j + 2 k and b = 8 i + 7 j - 3 k.
Compute the cross product a × c:
a × c = (2c₃ - 2c₂) i + (-1 · c₃ - 2c₁)(-1) j + (-1 · c₂ - 2c₁) k = (2c₃ - 2c₂) i + (c₃ + 2c₁) j - (c₂ + 2c₁) kStep 1: Equate components to find c
Equating this to b: 2c₃ - 2c₂ = 8 ⇒ c₃ - c₂ = 4 c₃ + 2c₁ = 7 -(c₂ + 2c₁) = -3 ⇒ c₂ + 2c₁ = 3
We are also given c · ( i + j + k) = 4:
c₁ + c₂ + c₃ = 4Step 2: Solve the linear system
From the dot product equation: c₁ = 4 - c₂ - c₃. Substitute into c₂ + 2c₁ = 3:
c₂ + 2(4 - c₂ - c₃) = 3 ⇒ 8 - c₂ - 2c₃ = 3 ⇒ c₂ + 2c₃ = 5We have the system: c₃ - c₂ = 4 ⇒ c₂ = c₃ - 4 Substitute into above: (c₃ - 4) + 2c₃ = 5 ⇒ 3c₃ = 9 ⇒ c₃ = 3 Then c₂ = 3 - 4 = -1. Then c₁ = 4 - (-1) - 3 = 2. So, c = 2 i - j + 3 k.
Step 3: Evaluate the final expression
a + c = (- i + 2 j + 2 k) + (2 i - j + 3 k) = i + j + 5 k | a + c|² = 1² + 1² + 5² = 1 + 1 + 25 = 27Pattern Recognition
Whenever a × c = b and a dot product constraint is given, simply expand c algebraically as (c₁, c₂, c₃). The cross product and dot product create an easily solvable 3x3 linear system.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra