If the components of veca=alphahati+betahatj+gammahatk$\vec{a}=\alpha\hat{i}+\beta\hat{j}+\gamma\hat{k}$ along and perpendicular to vecb=3hati+hatj-hatk$\vec{b}=3\hat{i}+\hat{j}-\hat{k}$ respectively, are frac1611(3hati+hatj-hatk)$\frac{16}{11}(3\hat{i}+\hat{j}-\hat{k})$ and frac111(-4hati-5hatj-17hatk)$\frac{1}{11}(-4\hat{i}-5\hat{j}-17\hat{k})$, then alpha^2+beta^2+gamma^2$\alpha^{2}+\beta^{2}+\gamma^{2}$ is equal to:
A.23$23$
B.18$18$
C.16$16$
D.26$26$
Solution & Explanation
### Related Formula
Any vector veca$\vec{a}$ can be written as the sum of its component parallel to vecb$\vec{b}$ (along vecb$\vec{b}$) and its component perpendicular to vecb$\vec{b}$:
veca = veca_parallel + veca_perp$\vec{a} = \vec{a}_{\parallel} + \vec{a}_{\perp}$
Magnitude squared:
|veca|^2 = alpha^2 + beta^2 + gamma^2$|\vec{a}|^2 = \alpha^2 + \beta^2 + \gamma^2$
### Core Logic
Given:
veca_parallel = frac1611(3hati+hatj-hatk)$\vec{a}_{\parallel} = \frac{16}{11}(3\hat{i}+\hat{j}-\hat{k})$veca_perp = frac111(-4hati-5hatj-17hatk)$\vec{a}_{\perp} = \frac{1}{11}(-4\hat{i}-5\hat{j}-17\hat{k})$
### Step 1: Reconstruct Vector a
Add both components to find veca$\vec{a}$:
veca = frac1611(3hati+hatj-hatk) + frac111(-4hati-5hatj-17hatk)$\vec{a} = \frac{16}{11}(3\hat{i}+\hat{j}-\hat{k}) + \frac{1}{11}(-4\hat{i}-5\hat{j}-17\hat{k})$veca = frac111 left[ (48 - 4)hati + (16 - 5)hatj + (-16 - 17)hatk right]$\vec{a} = \frac{1}{11} \left[ (48 - 4)\hat{i} + (16 - 5)\hat{j} + (-16 - 17)\hat{k} \right]$veca = frac111 left[ 44hati + 11hatj - 33hatk right] = 4hati + hatj - 3hatk$\vec{a} = \frac{1}{11} \left[ 44\hat{i} + 11\hat{j} - 33\hat{k} \right] = 4\hat{i} + \hat{j} - 3\hat{k}$
Therefore, alpha = 4$\alpha = 4$, beta = 1$\beta = 1$, gamma = -3$\gamma = -3$.
### Step 2: Calculate Sum of Squares
alpha^2 + beta^2 + gamma^2 = 4^2 + 1^2 + (-3)^2 = 16 + 1 + 9 = 26$\alpha^2 + \beta^2 + \gamma^2 = 4^2 + 1^2 + (-3)^2 = 16 + 1 + 9 = 26$
### Pattern Recognition
Since parallel and perpendicular components are orthogonal vectors, you can also use directly |veca|^2 = |veca_parallel|^2 + |veca_perp|^2$|\vec{a}|^2 = |\vec{a}_{\parallel}|^2 + |\vec{a}_{\perp}|^2$ to save algebra step: |veca_parallel|^2 = frac16^211^2(9+1+1) = frac25611$|\vec{a}_{\parallel}|^2 = \frac{16^2}{11^2}(9+1+1) = \frac{256}{11}$, |veca_perp|^2 = frac111^2(16+25+289) = frac330121 = frac3011$|\vec{a}_{\perp}|^2 = \frac{1}{11^2}(16+25+289) = \frac{330}{121} = \frac{30}{11}$. Total = frac28611 = 26$\frac{286}{11} = 26$.
### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer
null
### Chapter Mix
Class 12 Mathematics: Vector Algebra
Keywords:#components of vector along and perpendicular#JEE Main 2025 Evening Q53#Vector Algebra JEE Main 2025#Components of Vectors JEE Main 2025
More Vector Algebra Previous-Year Questions — Page 2
Q692025Vector Products and Angles
Let hatmathbfa$\hat{\mathbf{a}}$ be a unit vector perpendicular to the vectors vecmathsfb = hatmathsfi -2hatmathsfj +3hatmathsfk$\vec{\mathsf{b}} = \hat{\mathsf{i}} -2\hat{\mathsf{j}} +3\hat{\mathsf{k}}$ and vecmathbfc = 2hatmathbfi +3hatmathbfj -hatmathbfk$\vec{\mathbf{c}} = 2\hat{\mathbf{i}} +3\hat{\mathbf{j}} -\hat{\mathbf{k}}$, and makes an angle of cos^-1left(-frac13right)$\cos^{-1}\left(-\frac{1}{3}\right)$ with the vector hatmathrmi +hatmathrmj +hatmathrmk$\hat{\mathrm{i}} +\hat{\mathrm{j}} +\hat{\mathrm{k}}$. If hatmathbfa$\hat{\mathbf{a}}$ makes an angle of fracpi3$\frac{\pi}{3}$ with the vector hatmathrmi +alpha hatmathrmj +hatmathrmk$\hat{\mathrm{i}} +\alpha \hat{\mathrm{j}} +\hat{\mathrm{k}}$, then the value of alpha$\alpha$ is :
A.-sqrt3$-\sqrt{3}$
B.sqrt6$\sqrt{6}$
C.-sqrt6$-\sqrt{6}$
D.sqrt3$\sqrt{3}$
Solution
### Related Formula
Cross product for vector perpendicular direction alignment:
vecu = vecb times vecc$\vec{u} = \vec{b} \times \vec{c}$
Angle projection formula:
costheta = fracveca cdot vecv|veca||vecv|$\cos\theta = \frac{\vec{a} \cdot \vec{v}}{|\vec{a}||\vec{v}|}$
### Core Logic
Compute cross product of vecb$\vec{b}$ and vecc$\vec{c}$:
vecb times vecc = beginvmatrix hati & hatj & hatk \\ 1 & -2 & 3 \\ 2 & 3 & -1 endvmatrix = -7hati + 7hatj + 7hatk = -7(hati - hatj - hatk)$\vec{b} \times \vec{c} = \begin{vmatrix} \hat{i} & \hat{j} & \hat{k} \\ 1 & -2 & 3 \\ 2 & 3 & -1 \end{vmatrix} = -7\hat{i} + 7\hat{j} + 7\hat{k} = -7(\hat{i} - \hat{j} - \hat{k})$
Hence, unit vector hata$\hat{a}$ matches form:
hata = pm frachati - hatj - hatksqrt3$\hat{a} = \pm \frac{\hat{i} - \hat{j} - \hat{k}}{\sqrt{3}}$
### Step 1: Isolate Core Angle Direction
Check conditions against vector vecv = hati + hatj + hatk$\vec{v} = \hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}$:
Using hata = frachati - hatj - hatksqrt3$\hat{a} = \frac{\hat{i} - \hat{j} - \hat{k}}{\sqrt{3}}$:
costheta = frac1 - 1 - 1sqrt3sqrt3 = -frac13$\cos\theta = \frac{1 - 1 - 1}{\sqrt{3}\sqrt{3}} = -\frac{1}{3}$
This confirms the direction for hata$\hat{a}$.
### Step 2: Solve for Unknown Scalar Variable
Now compute angle with vector hati + alphahatj + hatk$\hat{i} + \alpha\hat{j} + \hat{k}$ for theta = fracpi3$\theta = \frac{\pi}{3}$:
cosfracpi3 = frac1sqrt3 cdot frac1 - alpha - 1sqrt2 + alpha^2$\cos\frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} \cdot \frac{1 - \alpha - 1}{\sqrt{2 + \alpha^2}}$frac12 = frac-alphasqrt3sqrtalpha^2 + 2$\frac{1}{2} = \frac{-\alpha}{\sqrt{3}\sqrt{\alpha^2 + 2}}$
Since left hand side is positive, alpha$\alpha$ must be strictly negative. Squaring both sides:
frac14 = fracalpha^23(alpha^2 + 2) implies 3alpha^2 + 6 = 4alpha^2 implies alpha^2 = 6$\frac{1}{4} = \frac{\alpha^2}{3(\alpha^2 + 2)} \implies 3\alpha^2 + 6 = 4\alpha^2 \implies \alpha^2 = 6$
Since alpha < 0$\alpha < 0$, alpha = -sqrt6$\alpha = -\sqrt{6}$.
### Pattern Recognition
Keep strict track of signs when dealing with algebra containing square roots. Checking value constraints early on allows you to drop phantom positive/negative branches seamlessly.
### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer
null
### Chapter Mix
Class 12 Mathematics: Vector Algebra
Q732025Vector Triple Products and Vector Equations
Let veca = hati + hatj + hatk$\vec{a} = \hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}$, vecb = 3hati + 2hatj - hatk$\vec{b} = 3\hat{i} + 2\hat{j} - \hat{k}$, vecc = lambda hatj + mu hatk$\vec{c} = \lambda \hat{j} + \mu \hat{k}$ and hatd$\hat{d}$ be a unit vector such that veca times hatd = vecb times hatd$\vec{a} \times \hat{d} = \vec{b} \times \hat{d}$ and vecc cdot hatd = 1$\vec{c} \cdot \hat{d} = 1$[cite: 694]. If vecc$\vec{c}$ is perpendicular to veca$\vec{a}$[cite: 694], then |3lambda hatd + mu vecc|^2$|3lambda \hat{d} + \mu \vec{c}|^2$ is equal to:
Let the three sides of a triangle ABC be given by the vectors 2hatmathbfi - hatmathbfj + hatmathbfk$2\hat{\mathbf{i}} - \hat{\mathbf{j}} + \hat{\mathbf{k}}$ , hatmathbfi - 3hatmathbfj - 5hatmathbfk$\hat{\mathbf{i}} - 3\hat{\mathbf{j}} - 5\hat{\mathbf{k}}$ and 3hatmathbfi - mathbf4hatmathbfj - mathbf4hatmathbfk$3\hat{\mathbf{i}} - \mathbf{4}\hat{\mathbf{j}} - \mathbf{4}\hat{\mathbf{k}}$ . Let G be the centroid of the triangle ABC. Then 6leftleft|overlineAGright|^2 + left|overlineBGright|^2 + left|overlineCGright|^2right)$6\left\left|\overline{AG}\right|^2 + \left|\overline{BG}\right|^2 + \left|\overline{CG}\right|^2\right)$ is equal to
Consider two vectors vecu = 3hati - hatj$\vec{u} = 3\hat{i} - \hat{j}$ and vecv = 2hati + hatj - lambda hatk$\vec{v} = 2\hat{i} + \hat{j} - \lambda \hat{k}$, where lambda > 0$\lambda > 0$. The angle between them is given by cos^-1left(fracsqrt52sqrt7right)$\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}}{2sqrt{7}}\right)$. Let vecv = vecv_1 + vecv_2$\vec{v} = \vec{v}_1 + \vec{v}_2$, where vecv_1$\vec{v}_1$ is parallel to vecu$\vec{u}$ and vecv_2$\vec{v}_2$ is perpendicular to vecu$\vec{u}$. Then the value |vecv_1|^2 + |vecv_2|^2$|\vec{v}_1|^2 + |\vec{v}_2|^2$ is equal to
A.frac232$\frac{23}{2}$
B. 14
C.frac252$\frac{25}{2}$
D. 10
Solution
### Related Formula
By orthogonal vector decomposition (Pythagorean property):
|vecv|^2 = |vecv_1|^2 + |vecv_2|^2 quad textwhen vecv_1 cdot vecv_2 = 0$|\vec{v}|^2 = |\vec{v}_1|^2 + |\vec{v}_2|^2 \quad \text{when } \vec{v}_1 \cdot \vec{v}_2 = 0$
### Core Logic
Compute lambda$\lambda$ using dot product formula:
costheta = fracvecu cdot vecv|vecu||vecv| implies fracsqrt52sqrt7 = frac3(2) + (-1)(1)sqrt3^2 + (-1)^2 sqrt2^2 + 1^2 + (-lambda)^2$\cos\theta = \frac{\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v}}{|\vec{u}||\vec{v}|} \implies \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2\sqrt{7}} = \frac{3(2) + (-1)(1)}{\sqrt{3^2 + (-1)^2} \sqrt{2^2 + 1^2 + (-\lambda)^2}}$fracsqrt52sqrt7 = frac5sqrt10sqrt5 + lambda^2 implies frac12sqrt7 = fracsqrt5sqrt10sqrt5 + lambda^2 = frac1sqrt2sqrt5 + lambda^2$\frac{\sqrt{5}}{2\sqrt{7}} = \frac{5}{\sqrt{10}\sqrt{5 + \lambda^2}} \implies \frac{1}{2\sqrt{7}} = \frac{\sqrt{5}}{\sqrt{10}\sqrt{5 + \lambda^2}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}\sqrt{5 + \lambda^2}}$
### Step 1: Solve for lambda
Square both sides of equation:
frac128 = frac12(5 + lambda^2) implies 2(5 + lambda^2) = 28 implies 5 + lambda^2 = 14 implies lambda^2 = 9 implies lambda = 3$\frac{1}{28} = \frac{1}{2(5 + \lambda^2)} \implies 2(5 + \lambda^2) = 28 \implies 5 + \lambda^2 = 14 \implies \lambda^2 = 9 \implies \lambda = 3$
Since vecv = 2hati + hatj - 3hatk$\vec{v} = 2\hat{i} + \hat{j} - 3\hat{k}$.
### Step 2: Apply Identity
Since components are orthogonal, direct magnitude squared holds:
|vecv_1|^2 + |vecv_2|^2 = |vecv|^2 = 2^2 + 1^2 + (-3)^2 = 4 + 1 + 9 = 14$|\vec{v}_1|^2 + |\vec{v}_2|^2 = |\vec{v}|^2 = 2^2 + 1^2 + (-3)^2 = 4 + 1 + 9 = 14$
### Pattern Recognition
Do not waste time explicitly projecting components vecv_1$\vec{v}_1$ and vecv_2$\vec{v}_2$ if only the sum of their squared magnitudes is requested. The scalar length matches the total vector length invariant under any orthogonal basis change.
### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer
null
### Chapter Mix
Class 12 Mathematics: Vector Algebra
Q522025Vector Magnitude and Operations
Let veca$\vec{a}$ and vecb$\vec{b}$ be the vectors of the same magnitude such that frac|veca + vecb| + |veca - vecb||veca + vecb| - |veca - vecb| = sqrt2 + 1$\frac{|\vec{a} + \vec{b}| + |\vec{a} - \vec{b}|}{|\vec{a} + \vec{b}| - |\vec{a} - \vec{b}|} = \sqrt{2} + 1$. Then frac|veca + vecb|^2|veca|^2$\frac{|\vec{a} + \vec{b}|^2}{|\vec{a}|^2}$ is:
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