JEE Main · Mathematics → Steady

Vector Algebra appeared 46 times across 3 years — 5.3% of Mathematics. This question is from Cross Product and Projection.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 15 17 14 46

Let a= i-2 j+3 k, b=2 i+ j- k, c=λ i+ j+ k and v= a× b. If v· c=11 and the length of the projection of b on c is p, then 9p² is equal to:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
Length of projection of b on c = | b· c|| c|
Core Logic

First, find v = a × b.

a = i - 2 j + 3 k b = 2 i + j - k v = vmatrix i & j & k 1 & -2 & 3 2 & 1 & -1 vmatrix = i(2-3) - j(-1-6) + k(1+4) = - i + 7 j + 5 k

Given v· c = 11 and c = λ i + j + k:

(- i + 7 j + 5 k) · (λ i + j + k) = 11 -λ + 7 + 5 = 11 λ = 1
Step 1: Projection Calculation

Now, c = i + j + k. The length of the projection of b on c is p:

p = | (2 i + j - k) · ( i + j + k)√(1² + 1² + 1²) | = 2(1) + 1(1) - 1(1)√(3) = 2√(3)

Calculate 9p²:

9p² = 9((4)/(3)) = 12
Pattern Recognition

Standard sequence: compute cross product to find normal vector v, take dot product to deduce missing parameter λ, then substitute into scalar projection formula.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra

Reference Study Guides

More Vector Algebra Previous-Year Questions — Page 10

Q28 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Vector Triple Product
Let a and b be two vectors such that | a| = 1, | b| = 4 and a · b = 2. If c = (2 a × b) - 3 b and the angle between b and c is α, then 192 ²α is equal to
Numerical Answer. Answer: 48 to 48

Solution

Core Logic
b · c = b · ((2 a × b) - 3 b) |b||c| α = 2( b · ( a × b)) - 3|b|²

Since b · ( a × b) = 0, we have |b||c| α = -3|b|².

|c| α = -3|b| = -12 |c|² ² α = 144
Step 1: Compute Modulus of c
|c|² = |2 a × b - 3 b|² = 4| a × b|² + 9| b|² - 12(( a × b) · b) = 4| a × b|² + 9| b|²

Given a · b = 2 |a||b| θ = 2 1 · 4 θ = 2 θ = (π)/(3).

| a × b|² = |a|²|b|² ²θ = 1 · 16 · (3)/(4) = 12 |c|² = 4(12) + 9(16) = 48 + 144 = 192
Step 2: Final Calculation

We know |c|² ² α = 144.

192 ² α = 144 192(1 - ² α) = 144 192 ² α = 192 - 144 = 48
Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra

More Vector Algebra Questions — jee_main_2026_23_january_evening

Practice all Vector Algebra previous-year questions →

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)