Question:medium

Let \[ \vec{a}=2\hat{i}-\hat{j}+\hat{k}, \qquad \vec{b}=\hat{i}+2\hat{j}-\hat{k}, \] and \[ \vec{c}=\lambda\hat{i}+\mu\hat{j}+3\hat{k}. \] If \[ [\vec{a}\ \vec{b}\ \vec{c}]=0 \] and \[ \vec{c}\cdot(\vec{a}+\vec{b})=10, \] then find the value of \(\lambda+\mu\).

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Whenever scalar triple product becomes zero, immediately think of coplanarity and determinant expansion.
Updated On: May 30, 2026
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To solve this problem, we will apply concepts involving the scalar triple product and vector dot product.

Given vectors:

  • \(\vec{a} = 2\hat{i} - \hat{j} + \hat{k}\)
  • \(\vec{b} = \hat{i} + 2\hat{j} - \hat{k}\)
  • \(\vec{c} = \lambda\hat{i} + \mu\hat{j} + 3\hat{k}\)

Condition 1: \([\vec{a}\ \vec{b}\ \vec{c}] = 0\)

The scalar triple product \([\vec{a}\ \vec{b}\ \vec{c}]\) is the determinant of the matrix formed by these vectors:

\(2\)\(-1\)\(1\)
\(1\)\(2\)\(-1\)
\(\lambda\)\(\mu\)\(3\)

The determinant of this matrix is calculated as:

\(\text{Det} = 2(2 \cdot 3 + 1 \cdot \mu) - (-1)(1 \cdot 3 + \lambda \cdot -1) + 1(1 \cdot \mu - 2 \cdot \lambda)\)

\(= 2(6 + \mu) + 3 + \lambda + \mu - 2\lambda\)

\(= 12 + 2\mu + 3 + \lambda + \mu - 2\lambda\)

\(= 15 + 3\mu - \lambda\)

Since this determinant is 0, we have:

\(15 + 3\mu - \lambda = 0\)

Therefore, rearranging gives us:

\(\lambda = 3\mu + 15\) ... (Equation 1)

Condition 2: \(\vec{c} \cdot (\vec{a} + \vec{b}) = 10\)

Now compute \(\vec{a} + \vec{b}:\)

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

\(= 3\hat{i} + \hat{j} + 0\hat{k}\)

The dot product \(\vec{c} \cdot (\vec{a} + \vec{b})\) is:

\((\lambda\hat{i} + \mu\hat{j} + 3\hat{k}) \cdot (3\hat{i} + \hat{j} + 0\hat{k})\)

\(= 3\lambda + \mu + 0 = 10\)

Therefore:

\(3\lambda + \mu = 10\) ... (Equation 2)

We have two equations:

  1. \(\lambda = 3\mu + 15\)
  2. \(3\lambda + \mu = 10\)

Substitute Equation 1 into Equation 2:

\(3(3\mu + 15) + \mu = 10\)

\(9\mu + 45 + \mu = 10\)

\(10\mu = 10 - 45\)

\(10\mu = -35\)

\(\mu = -3.5\)

Substitute \(\mu = -3.5\) into Equation 1:

\(\lambda = 3(-3.5) + 15\)

\(\lambda = -10.5 + 15\)

\(\lambda = 4.5\)

Finally, compute \(\lambda + \mu:\)

\(\lambda + \mu = 4.5 - 3.5 = 1\)

Thus, the value of \(\lambda + \mu\) is 1.

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