Question:medium

If $\vec{a} = 2\hat{i} + 2\hat{j} - \hat{k}$, $\vec{b} = \alpha\hat{i} + \beta\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$ and $|\vec{a} + \vec{b}| = |\vec{a} - \vec{b}|$, then $\alpha + \beta$ is equal to

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The condition $|\vec{u} + \vec{v}| = |\vec{u} - \vec{v}|$ is a classic vector identity that always means $\vec{u}$ is perpendicular to $\vec{v}$ ($\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v} = 0$). Memorizing this saves time from doing the algebraic expansion every time.
Updated On: Apr 29, 2026
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

To solve this problem, we need to determine what the equality \( |\vec{a} + \vec{b}| = |\vec{a} - \vec{b}| \) implies about the vectors \( \vec{a} \) and \( \vec{b} \). We are given:

\(\vec{a} = 2\hat{i} + 2\hat{j} - \hat{k}\),

\(\vec{b} = \alpha\hat{i} + \beta\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}\).

First, calculate \(\vec{a} + \vec{b}\) and \(\vec{a} - \vec{b}\):

\(\vec{a} + \vec{b} = (2 + \alpha)\hat{i} + (2 + \beta)\hat{j} + (-1 + 2)\hat{k}\)

\(\vec{a} + \vec{b} = (\alpha + 2)\hat{i} + (\beta + 2)\hat{j} + \hat{k}\).

\(\vec{a} - \vec{b} = (2 - \alpha)\hat{i} + (2 - \beta)\hat{j} + (-1 - 2)\hat{k}\)

\(\vec{a} - \vec{b} = (2 - \alpha)\hat{i} + (2 - \beta)\hat{j} - 3\hat{k}\).

The magnitudes are:

\(|\vec{a} + \vec{b}| = \sqrt{(\alpha + 2)^2 + (\beta + 2)^2 + 1^2}\),

\(|\vec{a} - \vec{b}| = \sqrt{(2 - \alpha)^2 + (2 - \beta)^2 + (-3)^2}\).

Given that these magnitudes are equal, we set up the equation:

\[ (\alpha + 2)^2 + (\beta + 2)^2 + 1^2 = (2 - \alpha)^2 + (2 - \beta)^2 + (-3)^2 \]

Simplify both sides:

The left side becomes:

\[ (\alpha + 2)^2 + (\beta + 2)^2 + 1 = \alpha^2 + 4\alpha + 4 + \beta^2 + 4\beta + 4 + 1 \] \[ = \alpha^2 + \beta^2 + 4\alpha + 4\beta + 9 \]

The right side becomes:

\[ (2 - \alpha)^2 + (2 - \beta)^2 + 9 = \alpha^2 - 4\alpha + 4 + \beta^2 - 4\beta + 4 + 9 \] \[ = \alpha^2 + \beta^2 - 4\alpha - 4\beta + 17 \]

Equate the two expressions:

\[ \alpha^2 + \beta^2 + 4\alpha + 4\beta + 9 = \alpha^2 + \beta^2 - 4\alpha - 4\beta + 17 \]

Cancel common terms and simplify:

\[ 8\alpha + 8\beta = 8 \]

Divide through by 8:

\[ \alpha + \beta = 1 \]

Thus, the value of \(\alpha + \beta\) is 1. Therefore, the correct answer is:

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