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Question

Direction: Consider the following for the next two (02) items that follow:

Let \({\rm{\vec a}} = {\rm{\hat i}} + {\rm{\hat j}},{\rm{\;\vec b}} = 3{\rm{\hat i}} + 4{\rm{\hat k}}\) and \({\rm{\vec b}} = {\rm{\vec c}} + {\rm{\vec d}}\)  where \({\rm{\vec c}}\)  is parallel to \({\rm{\vec a}}\)  and \({\rm{\vec d}}\)  is  perpendicular to \({\rm{\vec a}}\)

If \({\rm{\vec d}} = {\rm{x\hat i}} + {\rm{y\hat j}} + {\rm{z\hat k}}\) , then which of the following equations is/are correct?

1. y – x = 4

2. 2z – 3 = 0

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2016 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Apr-2016)
The correct answer is

Neither 1 nor 2

Understanding the Problem: Vector Decomposition

The question asks us to analyze a vector \(\vec b\) that is decomposed into two components, \(\vec c\) and \(\vec d\). We are given the original vector \(\vec a\) and \(\vec b\). We know that \(\vec c\) is parallel to \(\vec a\) and \(\vec d\) is perpendicular to \(\vec a\). We are also given the form of vector \(\vec d\) and need to check the correctness of two specific equations involving its components \(x, y,\) and \(z\).

Key Concepts

  • Vector Parallelism: If two vectors are parallel, one is a scalar multiple of the other.
  • Vector Perpendicularity: If two vectors are perpendicular, their dot product is zero.
  • Vector Decomposition: A vector can be expressed as the sum of components parallel and perpendicular to another given vector.

Step-by-Step Solution

We are given the following vectors:

\(\vec a = \hat i + \hat j\)

\(\vec b = 3\hat i + 4\hat k\)

We are told that \(\vec b = \vec c + \vec d\), where \(\vec c\) is parallel to \(\vec a\) and \(\vec d\) is perpendicular to \(\vec a\).

Step 1: Express \(\vec c\) in terms of \(\vec a\)

Since \(\vec c\) is parallel to \(\vec a\), we can write \(\vec c = k \vec a\) for some scalar \(k\). Therefore,

\(\vec c = k(\hat i + \hat j) = k\hat i + k\hat j\)

Step 2: Express \(\vec d\) in terms of \(\vec b\) and \(\vec c\)

From \(\vec b = \vec c + \vec d\), we have \(\vec d = \vec b - \vec c\). Substituting the given \(\vec b\) and our expression for \(\vec c\):

\(\vec d = (3\hat i + 0\hat j + 4\hat k) - (k\hat i + k\hat j + 0\hat k)\)

\(\vec d = (3-k)\hat i - k\hat j + 4\hat k\)

Step 3: Use the perpendicularity condition to find the scalar \(k\)

Since \(\vec d\) is perpendicular to \(\vec a\), their dot product must be zero: \(\vec d \cdot \vec a = 0\).

\(( (3-k)\hat i - k\hat j + 4\hat k ) \cdot ( \hat i + \hat j + 0\hat k ) = 0\)

Taking the dot product:

\((3-k)(1) + (-k)(1) + (4)(0) = 0\)

\(3 - k - k = 0\)

\(3 - 2k = 0\)

\(2k = 3\)

\(k = \frac{3}{2}\)

Step 4: Substitute the value of \(k\) back into the expression for \(\vec d\)

Now that we have the value of \(k\), we can find the specific components of \(\vec d\):

\(\vec d = (3 - \frac{3}{2})\hat i - \frac{3}{2}\hat j + 4\hat k\)

\(\vec d = (\frac{6-3}{2})\hat i - \frac{3}{2}\hat j + 4\hat k\)

\(\vec d = \frac{3}{2}\hat i - \frac{3}{2}\hat j + 4\hat k\)

Step 5: Compare the components of \(\vec d\) with the given form

We are given that \(\vec d = x\hat i + y\hat j + z\hat k\). Comparing this with our calculated \(\vec d\):

\(x = \frac{3}{2}\)

\(y = -\frac{3}{2}\)

\(z = 4\)

Step 6: Check the correctness of the given equations

Now we evaluate the two equations using the values of \(x, y,\) and \(z\).

Equation 1: \(y - x = 4\)

Substitute \(y = -\frac{3}{2}\) and \(x = \frac{3}{2}\):

\(-\frac{3}{2} - \frac{3}{2} = \frac{-3-3}{2} = \frac{-6}{2} = -3\)

We check if \(-3 = 4\). This is false.

Equation 1 is incorrect.

Equation 2: \(2z - 3 = 0\)

Substitute \(z = 4\):

\(2(4) - 3 = 8 - 3 = 5\)

We check if \(5 = 0\). This is false.

Equation 2 is incorrect.

Conclusion

Since neither Equation 1 nor Equation 2 is correct, the correct answer is that neither of the given equations is correct.

Equation Calculation Result Correct?
\(y - x = 4\) \(-\frac{3}{2} - \frac{3}{2} = -3\) \(-3 = 4\) No
\(2z - 3 = 0\) \(2(4) - 3 = 5\) \(5 = 0\) No

Revision Table: Vector Operations and Decomposition

Concept Description Mathematical Representation
Vector Addition Combining two vectors by adding their corresponding components. Geometrically, head-to-tail rule. \(\vec A + \vec B = (A_x+B_x)\hat i + (A_y+B_y)\hat j + (A_z+B_z)\hat k\)
Scalar Multiplication Multiplying a vector by a scalar changes its magnitude but not direction (unless scalar is negative). \(k\vec A = kA_x\hat i + kA_y\hat j + kA_z\hat k\)
Dot Product A scalar value representing the projection of one vector onto another. Used to find angle or check perpendicularity. \(\vec A \cdot \vec B = A_xB_x + A_yB_y + A_zB_z\)
Perpendicular Vectors Two non-zero vectors are perpendicular if their dot product is zero. \(\vec A \cdot \vec B = 0\)
Vector Projection The component of one vector along the direction of another. Projection of \(\vec B\) onto \(\vec A\): \({\rm Proj}_{\vec A} \vec B = (\frac{\vec A \cdot \vec B}{||\vec A||^2})\vec A\)

Additional Information: Vector Decomposition into Parallel and Perpendicular Components

Any vector \(\vec b\) can be uniquely decomposed into two components relative to another non-zero vector \(\vec a\): one component \(\vec c\) parallel to \(\vec a\) and another component \(\vec d\) perpendicular to \(\vec a\). That is, \(\vec b = \vec c + \vec d\).

The component parallel to \(\vec a\) is the vector projection of \(\vec b\) onto \(\vec a\):

\(\vec c = {\rm Proj}_{\vec a} \vec b = (\frac{\vec a \cdot \vec b}{||\vec a||^2})\vec a\)

The component perpendicular to \(\vec a\) can then be found by subtracting the parallel component from the original vector:

\(\vec d = \vec b - \vec c = \vec b - (\frac{\vec a \cdot \vec b}{||\vec a||^2})\vec a\)

In our problem, we used a slightly different approach by setting \(\vec c = k\vec a\) and using the perpendicularity condition \(\vec d \cdot \vec a = 0\) to solve for \(k\). Both methods should yield the same result for \(\vec d\).

Let's verify our result for \(\vec d\) using the projection formula:

\(\vec a = \hat i + \hat j\)

\(\vec b = 3\hat i + 4\hat k\)

\(\vec a \cdot \vec b = (1)(3) + (1)(0) + (0)(4) = 3\)

\(||\vec a||^2 = 1^2 + 1^2 + 0^2 = 1 + 1 = 2\)

Component parallel to \(\vec a\):

\(\vec c = (\frac{3}{2})(\hat i + \hat j) = \frac{3}{2}\hat i + \frac{3}{2}\hat j\)

Component perpendicular to \(\vec a\):

\(\vec d = \vec b - \vec c = (3\hat i + 4\hat k) - (\frac{3}{2}\hat i + \frac{3}{2}\hat j)\)

\(\vec d = (3 - \frac{3}{2})\hat i - \frac{3}{2}\hat j + 4\hat k\)

\(\vec d = \frac{3}{2}\hat i - \frac{3}{2}\hat j + 4\hat k\)

This matches the \(\vec d\) we calculated earlier, confirming our values for \(x, y,\) and \(z\).

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Similar Questions

  1. Let \(\vec{a}, \vec{b}, \vec{c}\) be three non-zero vectors such that   \(\vec{a}\times \vec{b} = \vec{c} \) . Consider the following statements:

    1.  \(\vec a\)  is unique if  \(\vec b\)  and  \(\vec c\)  are given

    2.  \(\vec c\)  is unique if  \(\vec a\)  and  \(\vec b\)  are given

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  2. In a right angled triangle ABC, if the hypotenuse AC = p, then what is \(\overrightarrow {{\rm{AB}}} \cdot \overrightarrow {{\rm{AC}}} + \overrightarrow {{\rm{BC}}} \cdot \overrightarrow {{\rm{BA}}} + \overrightarrow {{\rm{CA}}} \cdot \overrightarrow {{\rm{CB}}} \)  equal to?

  3. What is \({\rm{\vec c}}\) equal to?

  4. What is \({\rm{\vec a}} \cdot {\rm{\vec b}} + {\rm{\vec b}} \cdot {\rm{\vec c}} + {\rm{\vec c}} \cdot {\rm{\vec a}}\) equal to?

  5. What is the angle between \({\rm{\vec a}}\) and \({\rm{\vec b}}\) ?

  6. What is the fourth vertex \(D\)?
  7. Let \(\vec{a} = \hat{i} - \hat{j} + \hat{k}\) and \(\vec{b} = \hat{i} + 2\hat{j} - \hat{k}\). If \(\vec{a} \times (\vec{b} \times \vec{a}) = \alpha\hat{i} - \beta\hat{j} + \gamma\hat{k}\), then what is the value of \(\alpha + \beta + \gamma\)?
  8. Let \(\vec{p}=\vec{a}-\vec{b}\), \(\vec{q}=\vec{a}+\vec{b}\). If \(|\vec{a}|=|\vec{b}|= 2\) and \(\vec{a}\cdot\vec{b} = 2\), then what is the value of \(|\vec{p}\times\vec{q}|\)?
  9. How many of the following can be a vector perpendicular to both the vectors \(2\hat{i} - \hat{j} + \hat{k}\) and \(\hat{i} + \hat{j} + 3\hat{k}\) ? 

    I. \(4\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} - 3\hat{k}\) 

    II. \(-8\hat{i} - 10\hat{j} + 6\hat{k}\) 

    III. \(\frac{1}{50}(-4\hat{i}-5\hat{j}+3\hat{k})\) 

    Select the correct answer.

  10. What is the area of the parallelogram whose sides are represented by the vectors \(\hat{i} + 2\hat{j} + 3\hat{k}\) and \(2\hat{i} + \hat{j} + 2\hat{k}\)?

Important Questions from Vector Algebra

  1. Vector A̅ = ŷ.3 + ẑ.2 and B̅ = x̂.5 + ŷ.8 extend from the origin. Find A̅.B̅ Choose the correct answer. 

  2. The value of the cross product \(\left( {\overrightarrow a - \overrightarrow b } \right) \times \left( {\overrightarrow a + \overrightarrow b } \right)\) of two vectors \(\overrightarrow a - \overrightarrow b\) and \(\overrightarrow a + \overrightarrow b \) is:

  3. If non - zero a, b, c are such that a + b + c = 0, then the value of \(\frac{a^2}{bc} + \frac{b^2}{ac} + \frac{c^2}{ab}\) is

  4. Vector a = 3i + 2j – 6k, vector b = 4i – 3j + k, angle between above vectors is

  5. Two forces F1 and F2 are used to pull a car, which met an accident. The angle between the two force is θ. Find the value of θ for the resultant force is equal to \(\sqrt{(F_1^2 + F_2^2)}\)

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