Q.

Let a=i^+2j^+3k^ and b=i^+j^-k^. If c is a vector such that a·c=11, b·(a×c)=27 and b·c=-3|b|, then |a×c|2 is equal to ________ .          [2023]


Ans.

(285)

Given,  a=i^+2j^+3k^,   b=i^+j^-k^

   a·b=1+2-3=0

Now,  b×(a×c)=(b·c)a-(b·a)c=(b·c)a=-3|b|a

=-3(1+1+1)a=-3(3)a=-3a

Let θ be the angle between b and a×c.

 |b×(a×c)|=|b|·|a×c|sinθ

|-3a|=|b|·|a×c|sinθ

  |b|·|a×c|sinθ =314                         ...(i)

Also, b·(a×c)=27  (Given)

   |b|·|a×c|cosθ=27                                  ...(ii)

Dividing (i) by (ii), we get

tanθ=31427

sec2θ=1+tan2θ=1+9×14(27)2=1+1481=9581

cos2θ=8195sin2θ=1-8195=1495sinθ=1495

From (i), we get

       3|a×c|=314×9514|a×c|=3×95

 |a×c|2=3×95 =285