A unit vector which is perpendicular to the vector 2 i- j+2 k and is coplanar with the vectors i+ j- k and 2 i+2 j- k is
JEE Main 2012 — Mathematics Vectors & 3D Geometry
2012mcqmedium
A unit vector which is perpendicular to the vector 2i^−j^+2k^ and is coplanar with the vectors i^+j^−k^ and 2i^+2j^−k^ is
Official previous-year question
Held on 12 May 2012 · Verified 6 Jul 2026.
Options
A
52j^+k^
B
173i^+2j^−2k^
C
173i^+2j^+2k^
D
32i^+2j^−k^
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Solution
Let xi^+yj^+zk^ be the required unit vector. Since a^ is perpendicular to (2i^−j^+2k^). ∴2x−y+2z=0 Since vector xi^+yj^+zk^ is coplanar with the vector i^+j^−k^ and 2i^+2j^−k^. ∴xi^+yj^+zk^=p(i^+j^−k^)+q(2i^+2j^−k^), where p and q are some scalars. ⇒xi^+yj^+zk^=(p+2q)i^+(p+2q)j^−(p+q)k^⇒x=p+2q,y=p+2q,z=−p−q Now from equation (i), ⇒∴2p+4q−p−2q−2p−2q=0−p=0⇒p=0x=2q,y=2q,z=−q Since vector xi^+yj^+zk^ is a unit vector, therefore ⇒⇒⇒∣xi^+yj^+zk^∣=1x2+y2+z2=1x2+y2+z2=14q2+4q2+q2=1⇒9q2=1⇒q=±31 When q=31, then x=32,y=32, z=−31 When q=−31, then x=−32,y=−32, z=31 Here required unit vector is 32i^+32j^−31k^ or −32i^−32j^+31k^.
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