Question:hard

A, B, C, D are any 4 points and \[ |AB \times CD + BC \times AD + CA \times BD| = \lambda (\text{Area of } \Delta ABC) \] then \(\lambda = ?\)

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Remember vector identity for four points involving cross products sums to 4 times triangle area.
Updated On: Jul 18, 2026
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Simplify the identity by choosing D to coincide with A.
Since the identity \(AB\times CD + BC\times AD + CA\times BD\) holds for any fourth point D, we are free to check it in the easiest case, D = A. Writing each side as a difference of position vectors (\(XY = Y-X\)), taking \(D=A\) gives \(AD = 0\), \(CD = A-C = CA\), and \(BD = A-B = -AB\).

Step 2: Substitute these into the sum.
\[ AB\times CD + BC\times AD + CA\times BD = AB\times CA + BC\times 0 + CA\times(-AB) \]

Step 3: Simplify using the anti-symmetry of the cross product.
\[ = AB\times CA - CA\times AB = AB\times CA + AB\times CA = 2\,(AB\times CA) \]

Step 4: Relate this to the area of triangle ABC.
Since \(CA = -AC\), we get \(AB\times CA = -(AB\times AC)\), so the magnitude is \(2|AB\times AC|\). Since the area of \(\triangle ABC\) is \(\frac{1}{2}|AB\times AC|\), we have \(|AB\times AC| = 2(\text{Area})\), so the whole sum has magnitude \(2\times 2(\text{Area}) = 4(\text{Area})\).

Step 5: State the result.
\[ \boxed{\lambda = 4} \]
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