Question:medium

Three concurrent edges of a parallelepiped are given by \[ \vec{a} = 2\hat{i} - 3\hat{j} + \hat{k},\quad \vec{b} = \hat{i} - \hat{j} + 2\hat{k},\quad \vec{c} = 2\hat{i} + \hat{j} - \hat{k}. \] The volume of the parallelepiped is:

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Volume = absolute value of scalar triple product; sign indicates orientation.
Updated On: May 21, 2026
  • 14
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To find the volume of the parallelepiped defined by the vectors \(\vec{a}\)\(\vec{b}\), and \(\vec{c}\), we need to calculate the scalar triple product of these vectors. The volume \(V\) is given by:

\(V = |\vec{a} \cdot (\vec{b} \times \vec{c})|\)

First, let's compute \(\vec{b} \times \vec{c}\):

Using the formula for the cross product of two vectors:

\(\vec{b} \times \vec{c} = \begin{vmatrix} \hat{i} & \hat{j} & \hat{k} \\ 1 & -1 & 2 \\ 2 & 1 & -1 \end{vmatrix}\)

Calculating the determinant:

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

\(= \hat{i}(1 - 2) - \hat{j}(-1 - 4) + \hat{k}(1 + 2)\)

\(= -\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 3\hat{k}\)

Now, compute \(\vec{a} \cdot (\vec{b} \times \vec{c})\):

\(\vec{a} \cdot (-\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 3\hat{k}) = (2\hat{i} - 3\hat{j} + \hat{k}) \cdot (-\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 3\hat{k})\)

\(= 2 \cdot (-1) + (-3) \cdot 5 + 1 \cdot 3\)

\(= -2 - 15 + 3\)

\(= -14\)

The volume of the parallelepiped is the absolute value of this result:

\(V = |-14| = 14\)

Therefore, the volume of the parallelepiped is 14.

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