Let a, b, be three mutually perpendicular vectors of the same magnitude and equally inclined at an angle θ, with the vector a+ b+. Then 36 cos^22θ is…
JEE Main 2021 — Mathematics Vectors & 3D Geometry
2021integereasy
Let a,b,c be three mutually perpendicular vectors of the same magnitude and equally inclined at an angle θ, with the vector a+b+c. Then 36cos22θ is equal to
Official previous-year question
Held on 20 Jul 2021 · Verified 6 Jul 2026.
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Solution
We have,
∣a∣=∣b∣=∣c∣
a⋅b=b⋅c=c⋅a=0
Since, vectors are mutually perpendicular and of equally magnitude, hence let
a=i^,b=j^,c=k^
Now,
(a+b+c)⋅a=(i^+j^+k^)⋅i^
⇒(i^+j^+k^)⋅i^=3⋅1⋅cosθ
⇒1+0+0=3⋅1⋅cosθ
⇒3cosθ=1
⇒cosθ=31
⇒cos2θ=2cos2θ−1=32−1
⇒cos2θ=−31
⇒cos22θ=91
⇒36cos22θ=4
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