Q.

Let a=2i^+j^+k^, and b and c be two non-zero vectors such that |a+b+c|=|a+b-c| and b·c=0.  

Consider the following two statements:  

(A) |a+λc||a| for all λR.

(B) a and c are always parallel.

Then,                                                                          [2023]

1 both (A) and (B) are correct  
2 only (A) is correct  
3 only (B) is correct  
4 neither (A) nor (B) is correct  

Ans.

(2)

We have, |a+b+c|=|a+b-c|

|a+b+c|2=|a+b-c|2

|a|2+|b|2+|c|2+2a·b+2b·c+2c·a

=|a|2+|b|2+|c|2+2a·b-2b·c-2c·a

 0+2c·a=-0-2c·a      [ b·c=0]

 c·a=0  a and c are perpendicular.

Hence (B) is incorrect.

Now, |a+λc|2|a|2

 |a|2+λ2|c|2+2λa·c|a|2

 λ2|c|20    ( a·c=0)

We have c0  λ2|c|2>0  is true for λR λ2|c|20 is also true.

Hence (A) is correct.