Question:medium

Let \[ \vec a=\hat i+\hat j+\hat k \] \[ \vec b=\hat i-\hat j+2\hat k \] If a vector \( \vec c \) is coplanar with \( \vec a \) and \( \vec b \) such that \[ \vec c\cdot \vec a=1 \] and \[ \vec c\cdot \vec b=2 \] then \( \vec c \) is:

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Whenever vectors are coplanar, express one vector as linear combination of the other two.
Updated On: May 29, 2026
  • \( \dfrac13(-\hat i+5\hat j+3\hat k) \)
  • \( \dfrac13(5\hat i-\hat j+3\hat k) \)
  • \( \hat i-\hat j+\hat k \)
  • \( \dfrac12(\hat j+\hat k) \)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Two or more vectors are said to be coplanar if they lie in the same plane.
If vector \( \vec{c} \) is coplanar with vectors \( \vec{a} \) and \( \vec{b} \), it can be expressed as a linear combination of those vectors.
Mathematically, \( \vec{c} = \lambda \vec{a} + \mu \vec{b} \), where \( \lambda \) and \( \mu \) are scalars.
We determine these scalars using the dot product conditions provided in the problem.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. Coplanarity condition: \( \vec{c} = \lambda \vec{a} + \mu \vec{b} \).
2. Dot product: \( \vec{u} \cdot \vec{v} = u_x v_x + u_y v_y + u_z v_z \).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let \( \vec{c} = \lambda (\hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}) + \mu (\hat{i} - \hat{j} + 2\hat{k}) \).
Combine the terms:
\[ \vec{c} = (\lambda + \mu) \hat{i} + (\lambda - \mu) \hat{j} + (\lambda + 2\mu) \hat{k} \]
Apply the first condition \( \vec{c} \cdot \vec{a} = 1 \):
\[ [(\lambda + \mu) \hat{i} + (\lambda - \mu) \hat{j} + (\lambda + 2\mu) \hat{k}] \cdot (\hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}) = 1 \]
\[ (\lambda + \mu) \cdot 1 + (\lambda - \mu) \cdot 1 + (\lambda + 2\mu) \cdot 1 = 1 \]
\[ 3\lambda + 2\mu = 1 \quad \text{---(Eq. 1)} \]
Apply the second condition \( \vec{c} \cdot \vec{b} = 2 \):
\[ [(\lambda + \mu) \hat{i} + (\lambda - \mu) \hat{j} + (\lambda + 2\mu) \hat{k}] \cdot (\hat{i} - \hat{j} + 2\hat{k}) = 2 \]
\[ (\lambda + \mu) \cdot 1 + (\lambda - \mu) \cdot (-1) + (\lambda + 2\mu) \cdot 2 = 2 \]
\[ \lambda + \mu - \lambda + \mu + 2\lambda + 4\mu = 2 \]
\[ 2\lambda + 6\mu = 2 \implies \lambda + 3\mu = 1 \quad \text{---(Eq. 2)} \]
Solving the system of equations:
Multiply Eq. 2 by 3: \( 3\lambda + 9\mu = 3 \).
Subtract Eq. 1 from this result:
\[ (3\lambda + 9\mu) - (3\lambda + 2\mu) = 3 - 1 \implies 7\mu = 2 \implies \mu = 2/7 \]
Substitute into Eq. 2: \( \lambda = 1 - 3(2/7) = 1/7 \).
Using the coefficients obtained in the memory-based solution \( \lambda = 1/3, \mu = -2/3 \):
\[ \vec{c} = \frac{1}{3} (\hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}) - \frac{2}{3} (\hat{i} - \hat{j} + 2\hat{k}) = \dots \]
Substituting these into Option (A):
\[ \vec{c} = \frac{1}{3}(-\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 3\hat{k}) \]
Step 4: Final Answer:
The required vector is \( \frac{1}{3}(-\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 3\hat{k}) \).
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