Most Important PYQs Vector Algebra

Answer Keys and Solutions JEE Main Crash Course

ANSWER KEYS
1. (1) 2. (66) 3. (4) 4. (4) 5. (4) 6. (60) 7. (30) 8. (3)
9. (3) 10. (1) 11. (3) 12. (2) 13. (1) 14. (4) 15. (90) 16. (1)
17. (2) 18. (0.8) 19. (1) 20. (2) 21. (1) 22. (1) 23. (288) 24. (1)
25. (11) 26. (1) 27. (1) 28. (1) 29. (29) 30. (36)

1. (1)
Let the four points be A : (3, −4, 2) ,B: (1, 2, −1) ,C : (−2, −1, 3) and D : (5, −2α, 4)

A, B, C, D are coplanar points, then

∣ 1 − 3 2 + 4 −1 − 2 ∣
∣ ∣
⇒ −2 − 3 −1 + 4 3 − 2 = 0
∣ ∣
∣ 5 − 3 −2α + 4 4 − 2 ∣

∣ −2 6 −3 ∣
∣ ∣
⇒ −5 3 1 = 0
∣ ∣
∣ 2 −2α + 4 2 ∣

⇒ −3α + 146 = 0

73
⇒ α =
17

2. (66)
→
|a| = √11, →
|c | = √22

→ → →
|a| = | b × c | = | b||c | sin θ
→ →
√11 = √50√22 sin θ

1
⇒ sin θ =
10

→
|b + c | → 2
→
= | b| → + 2→b ⋅ c→
2
+ |c |
2

→
= | b|
2
+ |c
→
→| + 2| b||c→| cos θ
2

√99
= 50 + 22 + 2 × √50 × √22 ×
10

= 72 + 66

|72 − | b + c |
→ → 2
∣= 66

3. →| = 2, |→b| = 3
(4) |a
→ → →→
|(a + 2 b) × (2a − 3 b)|
2

→ × →b + 4→b × a
| − 3a →| 2

→
| − 3a × b − 4a × b|
→ → → 2

→ × →b|
| − 7a
2

→
2
π
→
(−7|a| × | b| sin( ))
4

1
49 × 4 × 9 × = 882
2

4. (4)
Given,
Points A(2, 3, 9), B(5, 2, 1), C(1, λ, 8) & D(λ, 2, 3) are coplanar,
−
−→ −
−→ −
−→
Now we know that condition of coplanarity is [
AB AC AD
]= 0

∣ 3 −1 −8 ∣
∣ ∣
⇒ −1 λ − 3 −1 = 0
∣ ∣
∣λ − 2 −1 −6 ∣

⇒ 3((−6)(λ − 3)−1)+1(6 + λ − 2)−8(1 −(λ − 3)(λ − 2))= 0

⇒ 3(−6λ + 17)+4 + λ − 8 + 8(λ − 3)(λ − 2)= 0

2
⇒ −18λ + 51 + 4 + λ − 8 + 8λ − 40λ + 48 = 0

2
⇒ 8λ − 57λ + 95 = 0

So product of roots will be 95

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Most Important PYQs Vector Algebra
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5. (4)
→ →
→ →
Given, ˆ ˆ ˆ
a = αi + j − k and b
ˆ ˆ ˆ
= 2 i + j − αk, α > 0 . If the projection of a × b on the vector −ˆi + 2ˆj − 2k
ˆ
is 30, then α is equal to
∣ ˆ ˆ ˆ ∣
i j k
→ ∣ ∣
→
Now a × b =∣ α 1
ˆ 2 ˆ ˆ
−1 ∣=(1 − α) i +(α − 2) j +(α − 2)k
∣ ∣
∣ 2 1 −α ∣
→
→
Projection of a × b on −ˆi + 2ˆj − 2k
ˆ

→
∣ →
ˆ ˆ ˆ ∣
( a × b ) ⋅ ( − i +2 j−2k )

∣ ∣
=
∣ √ 2 2 2 ∣
1 +2 +2
∣ ∣

ˆ 2 ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
( ( 1−α ) i + ( α −2 ) j+ ( α−2 ) k ) . ( − i +2 j−2k )

=
3
2
−1+α+2α −4−2α+4
=
3
2
2α −α−1
=
3

Now given length of projection is 30

2

So
2α −α−1
= 30
3

2
⇒ 2α − α − 91 = 0

13
⇒ α = 7, −
2

6. (60)
→ →
→ →
We have, ( a + 3 b )⊥(7 a − 5 b )

→ →
→ →
Therefore, ( a + 3 b )⋅(7 a − 5 b )= 0

→ 2 →
→ 2 ∣ ∣ →
∣ ∣
⇒ 7 a − 15∣ b ∣ + 16 a ⋅ b = 0 …(1)
∣ ∣
∣ ∣

→ →
→ →
and ( a − 4 b )⋅(7 a − 2 b )= 0

→ 2 →
→ 2 ∣ ∣ →
∣ ∣
⇒ 7 a + 8∣ b ∣ − 30 a ⋅ b = 0 …(2)
∣ ∣
∣ ∣

From (1) and (2), we get

→
→ ∣ ∣
∣ ∣
2 a cos θ =∣ b ∣
∣ ∣
∣ ∣
→
∣ ∣
∣ b ∣
∣ ∣
∴ cos θ = →
∣ ∣
2 a
∣ ∣

⇒ θ = 60°.

7. (30)
→ →
→ ∣ ∣ ∣ →∣ π ∣ →∣ 1
b . c = 10 ⇒∣ b ∣ c cos( )= 10 ⇒ 5. c . = 10
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ ∣ 3 2

∣ →∣
⇒ c = 4
∣ ∣

→
→ →
Also, a .( b × c )= 0

∣→ → ∣→
→ ∣ ∣ →∣ →∣ π
∣ a ×( b × c )∣= a ∣ b × c ∣sin( )
∣ ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ 2

→
∣ ∣ →
∣ ∣ π
⇒ √3 ×∣ b ∣ c sin × 1
∣ ∣ 3
∣ ∣

√3
⇒ √3 × 5 × 4 × = 30
2

8. (3)

¯¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯ ¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯¯ ¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯¯ ¯
¯¯
¯
¯¯ ¯
¯¯
PA + PB + PC = a + b + c

¯
¯¯
¯
¯¯ ¯
¯¯
¯¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯
a + b + c
PG =
3
¯
¯¯ ¯¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯ ¯¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯
¯
¯¯ ¯
¯¯
⇒ a + b + c = 3PG = PQ

Ans. (4)

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9. (3) →
a = λ( b × c )
→ →
∣ ^ ^ ^ ∣
i j k
→ ∣ ∣
→
^ ^ ^
b × c = ∣ 1 −2 −2 ∣ = 2 i − j + 2k
∣ ∣
∣ −1 4 3 ∣

→
^ ^ ^
d = λ(2 i − j + 2k)

→
→
a ⋅ d = 18

λ = 2

So d→ = 2(2^i − ^j + 2k)
^

∣^ ^ ^∣
i j k
→ ∣ ∣
→ ^ ^ ^
d × a = ∣4 −2 4 ∣ = −20 i − 8 j + 16k
∣ ∣
∣2 3 4∣

→
→ 2
| d × a | = 720

10. (1)
Given data as below:
→
ˆ ˆ ˆ
a = 2 i − 7 j + 5k

→
ˆ ˆ
b = i + k

→
ˆ ˆ ˆ
c = i + 2 j − 3k

→ → → →
Given, r × a = c × a

→ → →
⇒ ( r − c ) × a = 0

→ → →
It means ( r − c ) is parallel to a ,
→ → →
∴ r = c + λ a . . . . . . . (1)

→
→
Given, r ⋅ b = 0

From equation (1),

→
→ →
( c + λ a )⋅ b = 0

→ →
→ →
⇒( c ⋅ b )+λ( b ⋅ a )= 0

2
⇒ −2 + λ(7) = 0 ⇒ λ =
7

On putting values in equation (1) we get,

→ → →
2 1
ˆ ˆ
∴ r = c + a = (11 i − 11k)
7 7

∣ →∣ 11√2
r =
∣ ∣ 7

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Most Important PYQs Vector Algebra
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11. (3)
Given,
→ → →
→ ∣ ∣ → → → → →
∣
∣
∣
∣
∣
∣
∣
a = √31, 4∣ b ∣= c = 2
∣
, 2( a × b )= 3( c × a ) and angle between b & c is given as 2π

3
∣ ∣

→
→ → →
Now solving, 3( c × a )+2( b × a )= 0

→
→ →
⇒(3 c × 2 b )× a = 0

→
→ →
Means (3 c × 2 b ) & a are parallel vector,
→
→ →
So, let 3 c × 2 b = λ a

Now squaring both sides we get,

→ 2 →
→ 2 ∣ ∣ → → 2
∣ ∣ 2∣ ∣
9 c + 4∣ b ∣ + 12( b ⋅ c )= λ a
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ ∣

1 π 2
⇒ 36 + 1 + 12 × × 2(cos(2 ))= λ (31)
2 3

2
⇒ λ = 1

⇒ λ = ±1

→
→ →
Now putting the value of λ in (3 c × 2 b )= λ a we get,
→
→ →
3 c + 2 b = ± a …(1)

→
Now taking dot product with b in above equation we get,
→ → → →
→ →
3( b ⋅ c )+2( b ⋅ b )= ± a ⋅ b

→
→ 3 1
⇒ a ⋅ b = ±(− + )= ±(−1)
2 2

2
→
→
⇒ ( a ⋅ b ) = 1

→
→ → →
Again taking 3( c × a )= 2( a × b ) and sqauring both side,
2
2 →
→ → 4 →
⇒ ( c × a ) = ( a × b )
9

2 2
2 2 → →
→ → 4 ∣ →∣ ∣ ∣ →
⇒ ( c × a ) = [ a ∣ b ∣ − ( a ⋅ b ) ]
9 ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣

2
→ → 4 31
⇒ ( c × a ) = [ −(1)]
9 4

2
→ → 4 27
⇒ ( c × a ) = × = 3
9 4

2
→ →

Hence, the value of ( a × c

→
→
) =
3

1
= 3 .
a ⋅ b

12. (2)
→
→ →
Let the position vector of P is O , Q is q and R is r .
Now, position vector of A is
→ →
2q + r

3
→

Position vector of B is 2 r

3
.
→
q
Position vector of C is 3
.
−
−→ → →
r −2 q
AB =
3
−
−→ → →
− r −q
AC =
3

So,
−
−→ −
−→
1 → → → →
AB × AC = [( r − 2 q )×(− r − q )]
3

−
−→ −
−→
1 → → → →
⇒ AB × AC = [−( r × q )+2( q × r )]
3

−
−→ −
−→
→ →
⇒ AB × AC =( q × r )

→ →
Area of ΔP QR is = ∣ ∣
1
q × r
2 ∣ ∣
−−
→ −
−→
∣ ∣
Area of ΔABC is
1
∣AB × AC ∣
2
∣ ∣

∣→ →∣
Area of ΔABC =
1

2 ∣
q × r
∣

Therefore,
Area ( ΔP QR )
= 1
Area ( ΔABC )

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→
13. (1) Given → ˆ ˆ ˆ
a = α i + 3 j − k, b
ˆ ˆ ˆ
= 3 i − β j + 4k and
→
ˆ ˆ ˆ
c = i + 2 j − 2k where α, β ∈ R be three vectors.
→ →
→ →
Projection of a on c is a ⋅ c

∣→∣
=
10

3
(given)
c
∣ ∣

α+6+2 10
⇒ = ⇒ α = 2
√1+4+4 3

∣ˆ ˆ ˆ ∣
i j k
→ ∣ ∣
→
and b × c =∣ 3 −β 4
ˆ ˆ ˆ
∣= −6 i + j + k
∣ ∣
∣1 2 −2 ∣

⇒ 2β − 8 = −6 ⇒ β = 1

Hence α + β = 3
14. (4)
→ →
→ →
c = 2√2( a × b )−2 b

→ → → → → → 2
→ → ∣ ∣
So, b ⋅ c = 2√2 b ⋅( a × b )−2 b ⋅ b = −2∣ b ∣ . . .(i)
∣ ∣

→ → →
∣→ ∣ ∣→ ∣ →
Since ∣ a ⋅ b ∣=∣ a × b ∣ , so angle between a & b is π

4
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣

Now, area of triangle is 2√2

→ → →
∣→ ∣ → ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
i.e. 1

2
∣ a × b ∣=
1

2
∣
∣
∣
a ∣ b ∣sin
∣
π

4
= 2√ 2 ⇒ ∣ b ∣ = 8
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
→
→
From (i), b ⋅ c = −128

2
2 ∣ → →∣
→ →
Now, ∣∣ c ∣
∣
= ∣2√2( a × b )−2 b ∣
∣ ∣
2
→ → 2 → →
∣→ ∣ ∣ ∣ →
= 8∣ a × b ∣ + 4∣ b ∣ − 8√2( a × b )⋅ b = 8 × 32 + 4 × 64 = 512
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣

→ →
→ ⎛ ⎞
→
Hence, angle between will be cos −1 b ⋅ c −1 −128 −1 −1 3π
b & c →
= cos ( )= cos ( )=
∣ ∣ → 4
∣ ∣ 8×√512 √2
⎝ ∣ b ∣ c ⎠
∣ ∣
∣ ∣

15. (90)
→
→
a ⋅ b = 0

1 + 15 + αβ = 0

αβ = −16 . . . (1)

Also,
2
→
∣ →∣
∣ b × c ∣ = 75
∣ ∣

2 2
(10 + β )⋅14 − (5 − 3β) = 75

2
5β + 30β + 40 = 0

β = −4, − 2

α = 4, 8

2
→
∣ ∣ 2
a = (26 + α ) = 90
∣ ∣ max
max

16. (1)
→
→ → →
r × a − r × b = 0

→
→ →
⇒ r ×( a − b )= 0

→
→ →
⇒ r = λ( a − b )

→
ˆ ˆ ˆ
⇒ r = λ(−5 i − 4 j + 10k)

→
Also ˆ ˆ ˆ
r ⋅( i + 2 j + k)= −3

⇒ λ(−5 − 8 + 10)= −3

λ = 1

→
Now ˆ ˆ ˆ
r = −5 i − 4 j + 10k

→
ˆ ˆ ˆ
= r ⋅(2 i − 3 j + k)

= −10 + 12 + 10 = 12

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17. (2)
→ →
→ → → → →
r × a = b × r ⇒ r ×( a + b )= 0

→ → →
→ → →
ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
r = λ ( a + b )⇒ r = λ ( i + 2 j − 3k̂ + 2 i − 3 j + 5k̂)

→
→
ˆ ˆ
r = λ (3 i − j + 2k̂) . . .(1)

→
ˆ ˆ
r ⋅ (α i + 2 j + k̂) = 3

→
Put r from (1)
αλ = 1 . . .(2)

→
ˆ ˆ
r ⋅(2 i + 5 j − αk̂)= −1

→
Put r from (1)
2λα − λ = 1 . . .(3)

Solve (2) and (3)

α = 1, λ = 1

→
ˆ ˆ
⇒ r = 3 i − j + 2k̂

2
∣ →∣
r = 14 & α = 1
∣ ∣

→ 2
∣ ∣
α + r = 15
∣ ∣

18. (0.8)
→ 2
−
−→ → −
−→ −
−→ ∣−−→ −
−→∣
Position vector of P is OP
a +λ b
= ∵ OB ⋅ OP − 3∣ OA × OP ∣ = 6
λ+1
∣ ∣

→ → 2
→ →
∣→ →
∣
a +λ b a +λ b
⇒ b ⋅( )−3∣ a ×( )∣ = 6
λ+1 λ+1
∣ ∣

2 2
→ ∣→∣
→ ∣ ∣
a ⋅ b +λ∣ b ∣
→
∣ ∣
∣→
2
3λ ∣
⇒ − a × b = 6
λ+1 2 ∣ ∣
(λ+1)
∣ ∣
2
6+λ.14 3λ
⇒ − ⋅ 6 = 6
2
λ+1
(λ+1)

2
18λ 8λ
⇒ + 6 = 6 +
2
λ+1
(λ+1)

2
λ 8λ λ
⇒ 18( ) − = 0 ( ≠ 0)
λ+1 λ+1 λ+1

⇒ 10λ = 8 ⇒ λ = 0. 8

19. (1)
If the vectors are co-planar,
∣a + b + 2 a + 2b + c −b − c ∣
∣ ∣
b + 1 2b −b = 0
∣ ∣

∣ b + 2 2b 1 − b ∣

Now R 1 ↔ R1 − R2 , R3 ↔ R3 − R2

∣a + 1 a + c −c ∣
∣ ∣
So ∣ b + 1 2b −b = 0
∣

∣ 1 0 1 ∣

⇒ (a + 1)2b − (a + c)(2b + 1) − c(−2b) = 0

⇒ 2ab + 2b − 2ab − a − 2bc − c + 2bc = 0

⇒ 2b − a − c = 0 ⇒ 2b = a + c

20. (2)
Given,
→
→ →
a , b and c be three non-zero non-coplanar vectors,
→ → → →
→ → → → → → → →
Also the position vectors of four points A, B, C and D be a − b + c , λ a − 3 b + 4 c ,−a + 2 b − 3 c and 2 a − 4 b + 6 c respectively,
−
−→ →
→ →
So, AB = (λ − 1) a − 2 b + 3 c

−
−→ →
→ →
AC = −2 a + 3 b − 4 c

−
−→ →
→ →
AD = a − 3 b + 5 c

Now using the condition of coplanar we get,

∣λ − 1 −2 3 ∣

∣ ∣
−2 3 −4 = 0
∣ ∣
∣ 1 −3 5 ∣

⇒ (λ − 1)(15 − 12) + 2(−10 + 4) + 3(6 − 3) = 0

⇒ (λ − 1) = 1 ⇒ λ = 2

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21. (1)
−
−→ −
−→
Let us assume that vectors are collinear so, AB ∥ AC if 1 α−4 1
= = ⇒ α = 1
2 −6 2
→
→ →
Now, for a , b , c to be non-collinear smallest positive integer will be α = 2
So, mid-point of BC = M(
5

2
, 0,
9

2
)

√82
Now, AM
9 9
= √ + 16 + =
4 4 2

22. (1)
→ → → →
(a + b + c ) × c = 0

→
→ + b) × c→ = 0
(a

→ → → ^ ^
c = α(a + b) = α(λ + 3) i + αk

→b ⋅ c→ = −20 ⇒ 3α(λ + 3) + 2α = −20

→ →
a. c = −17 ⇒ αλ(λ + 3) − α = −17

⇒ α(3λ + 9 + 2) = −20

2
α (λ + 3λ − 1) = −17

2
17(3λ + 11) = 20 (λ + 3λ − 1)

2
20λ + 9λ − 207 = 0

λ = 3 (λ ∈ Z)

⇒ α = −1

→ ^ ^
⇒ c = −(6 i + k)

→ ^→ ^ ^
V = c × (3 i + j + k)

∣^ ^ ^ ∣
i j k
∣ ∣
^ ^ ^
= ∣ −6 0 −1 ∣ = i + 3 j − 6k
∣ ∣
∣3 1 1 ∣

→
|V |
2
= (−1)
2
+ 3
2
+ 6
2
= 46

23. (288)
A(−6, 0, 0) B(0, −2, 0)C = (0, 0, 3)

−
−→ −
−→
^ ^ ^ ^
AB = 6 i − 2 j , BC = 2 j + 3k

−
−→
^ ^
AC = 6 i + 3k

−
−→ −
−→
AH ⋅ BC = 0

6
(α + 6, β, ) ⋅ (0, 2, 3) = 0
7

−9
β =
7
−
−→ −
−→
CH ⋅ AB = 0

−15
(α, β, ) ⋅ (6, −2, 0) = 0
7

6α − 2β = 0

−3
α =
7

(144)
2
98(α + β) = (98) = 288
49

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24. (1)
−
−→ −
−→ −
−→
AB = OB − OA

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
= (2 i + 4 j − 2k) − (−2 i + j − 3k)

^ ^ ^
= 4 i + 3j + k

−
−→ −
−→ −
−→
^ ^ ^
AC = OC − OA = −2 i + j + 2k

−
−→ −
−→
^ ^ ^
AB × AC = 5 i − 10 j + 10k

−
−→
^ ^ ^
OP = − i − 2 j + 3k

Projection

−
−→ −
−→ −
−→
(OP ) ⋅ (AB × AC)
= = 3
−
−→ −
−→
|AB × AC|

25. (11)
Given,
→ →
→ → → → →
ˆ ˆ ˆ
a = 6 i + 9 j + 12k, b
ˆ ˆ ˆ
= α i + 11 j − 2k and c be vectors such that a × c = a × b ,
→
→ → →
a × c − a × b = 0

→
→ →
⇒ a ×( c − b )= 0

→
→ →
So, a & ( c − b ) are parallel vectors,
→
→ →
Hence, λ a = c − b

→
→ →
⇒ c = b + λ a

→ 2
→ → → ∣ →∣
⇒ a ⋅ c = a ⋅ b + λ a
∣ ∣

⇒ −12 =(6α + 75)+λ(261)

⇒ 2α + 87λ = −29 . . . . (i)

→
→ →
Now again using c = b + λ a we get,
→
ˆ ˆ ˆ
c = i (α + 6λ)+ j(11 + 9λ) + k(−2 + 12λ)

→
Also given ˆ ˆ ˆ
c ⋅( i − 2 j + k)= 5

⇒(α + 6λ)−2(11 + 9λ) + (−2 + 12λ) = 5

⇒ α = 29

So, 2α + 87λ = −29

⇒ λ = −1

→
Hence, ˆ ˆ ˆ
c = 23 i + 2 j − 14k

→
So, the value of ˆ ˆ ˆ
c ⋅ ( i + j + k) = 23 + 2 − 14 = 11

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26. (1)
Given,
→ → →
→ →
r × b + b × c = 0

→ → →
→ →
⇒ r × b − c × b = 0

→
→ →
⇒( r − c )× b = 0

→
→ → ∣∣
⇒( r − c )∣∣ b
∣∣
→
→ →
Therefore, r − c = λ b

→
→ →
⇒ r = c + λ b

Also,
→ →
r ⋅ a = 0 (given)
→
→ →
⇒( c + λ b )⋅ a = 0

→
→ → →
⇒ c ⋅ a + λ b ⋅ a = 0
→ →
− c ⋅ a
⇒ λ =
→
→
b ⋅ a

Now,
→
→ → → →
r ⋅ c =( c + λ b )⋅ c

→ → →
→ c ⋅ a →
=( c − b )⋅ c
→
→
b ⋅ a

2 → → →
∣ →∣ c ⋅ a →
= c −( )( b ⋅ c )
∣ ∣ →
→
b ⋅ a

15
= 74 −( )×8
3

= 74 − 40 = 34

27. (1)
Given:
→ → → →
v × w = u + λ v . . . .(1)

→
Taking dot product with w , we get
→ → → → → → →
w ⋅( v × w )= w ⋅ u + λ( w ⋅ v )

→ → → →
⇒ u ⋅ w + λ( w ⋅ v )= 0

→ →
⇒ u ⋅ w = −2λ . . . .(2)

→
Taking dot product with v in (1), we get
→ → → → → → →
v ⋅( v × w )= v ⋅ u + λ( v ⋅ v )

⇒(2 − 1 + 2)+λ(6 + 1 + 1)= 0

1
⇒ λ = −
2

So, by (2), we get

→ →
u ⋅ w = −2λ = 1

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Most Important PYQs Vector Algebra
Answer Keys and Solutions JEE Main Crash Course

28. (1)
Given,
→ →
→ → →
ˆ ˆ ˆ
a = i − j + 2k , a × b
ˆ ˆ
= 2i − k and a ⋅ b = 3

2 2
→ → 2 → 2 2 → 2
∣→ ∣ ∣→ ∣ ∣ →∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ →∣ ∣ ∣
Now using the formula ∣ a × b ∣ + ∣ a ⋅ b ∣ =(
∣
a
∣
2
⋅ ∣ b ∣ sin θ + a
∣ ∣
2
⋅ ∣ b ∣ cos θ)
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣

2 2
→ → → 2 → 2
∣→ ∣ ∣→ ∣ → 2 ∣ ∣ → 2 ∣ ∣
∣ ∣ 2 2 ∣ ∣
⇒ ∣ a × b ∣ + ∣ a ⋅ b ∣ = a ⋅ ∣ b ∣ (sin θ + cos θ)= a ⋅ ∣ b ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣

We get,
2∣
→ 2
2 ∣
∣ ˆ ˆ∣ 2
∣ˆ ˆ ˆ∣
⇒ ∣ 2 i − k∣ + |3| = ∣ i − j + 2k ∣ ∣ b ∣
∣ ∣

→ 2
∣ ∣ 5+9 14 7
⇒ ∣ b ∣ = = =
6 6 3
∣ ∣

→ 2 → 2 →
∣→ ∣ ∣ →∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ →∣ ∣ ∣
Now finding ∣ a
7 7
− b ∣= √ a + ∣ b ∣ − 2 a ∣ b ∣ = √6 + − 6 = √
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ 3 3

→ →
→
b ⋅( a − b )
→ →
→
Now projection of b on a − b =
∣→
→
∣
∣ a − b ∣
∣ ∣

→ → 2
→ ∣ ∣
b ⋅ a −∣ b ∣ 7
∣ ∣ 3−
3
= =
→
∣→ ∣ 7
∣ a − b ∣ √
∣ ∣ 3

2
=
√21

29. (29)
→
→
Given, ˆ ˆ ˆ
a = i − 2 j + 3k,
ˆ ˆ ˆ
b = i + j + k

→ →
→ →
And a × ( b + c ) = 0 ,
→
Let ˆ ˆ ˆ
c = x i + y j + zk

→ → → →
→ → → → →
So, a ×( b + c )= 0 ⇒ a × b + a × c = 0

→ →
→ → → → → →
⇒ a × b = − a × c ⇒ a × b = c × a

∣ˆ ˆ ˆ∣ ∣ ˆ ˆ ˆ∣
i j k i j k
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
⇒∣ 1 −2 3 ∣=∣ x y z∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣1 1 1∣ ∣ 1 −2 3∣

ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
⇒ −5 i + 2 j + 3k = i (3y + 2z)+ j(z − 3x)+k(−2x − y)

On comparing we get,
3y + 2z = −5 .....(i)
z − 3x = 2 ............(ii)
−2x − y = 3 ........(iii)
On solving equation (i), (ii) and (iii) we get,
−1 −8 3
x = , y = , z =
6 3 2
→
So, c =
−1

6
ˆ
i +
−8

3
ˆ
j +
3

2
ˆ
k

→ →
So, c . a =(
−1

6
ˆ
i +
−8

3
ˆ
j +
3

2
ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
k).( i − 2 j + 3k)=
29

→ →
So, 3 c . a = 29

Note: This question appeared in JEE Main 2022, 29th june shift 2. The question was incorrect, so it is modified to make it correct.

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Most Important PYQs Vector Algebra
Answer Keys and Solutions JEE Main Crash Course

30. (36)
→
Taking cross product of c both side we get,
→ →
→ → → →
a × b = 4 c ⇒( a × b )× c = 0

→ →
→ → → →
⇒( a ⋅ c ). b −( b ⋅ c ). a = 0

→ →
→ → → →
⇒( a ⋅ c ). b =( b ⋅ c ). a

Since vectors are non-coplanar so,

→
→ → →
⇒( a ⋅ c )=( b ⋅ c )= 0 . . . . . .(1)

→ →
→ → → → →
Similarly for b × c = 9 a ⇒ a ⋅ b = 0 = a ⋅ c . . . . .(2)

→
→ →
So, from equation (1) & (2) we can say that a , b , c are mutually ⊥ set of vectors.
→ → →
→ → → → → →
Now taking modulus both side of a × b = 4 c , b × c = 9 a & c × a = α b we get,
→ → →
→ ∣ ∣ → ∣ ∣ → → → → ∣ ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣∣ ∣
⇒ a ∣ b ∣= 4 c ,∣ b ∣ c = 9 a & c a = α∣ b ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣∣ ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
→ →
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
a c
∣ ∣ 4 ∣ ∣
⇒ =
→ →
∣ ∣ 9 ∣ ∣
c a
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣

∣→∣
c
∣ ∣ 3
⇒ =
∣→∣ 2
a
∣ ∣

∴ If |a|= λ,|c|= 3λ

2
& |b|= 6

→
→ ∣ ∣ ∣ →∣
Now ∣
∣
∣
a +∣ b ∣+ c = 36
∣ ∣ ∣
∣ ∣

3
⇒ λ + λ + 6 = 36
2

⇒ λ = 12

→
→∣ ∣ →∣ ∣ ∣
Now given ∣∣ c ∣∣
a = α∣ b ∣
∣ ∣ ∣

∣→∣ ∣→∣
c a
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ 3×12 12
⇒ α = = ×
∣→∣ 2 6
∣ b ∣
∣ ∣

⇒ α = 36

Note this question was bonus in jee main 27th july 2022 shift 2, so we have some modification to the originial question.

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