Let a = 2 i + 3 j + 3 k and b = 6 i + 3 j + 3 k. Then the square of the area of the triangle with adjacent sides determined by the vectors (2 a + 3…
JEE Main 2026 — Mathematics Vectors & 3D Geometry
2026mcqmedium
Let a=2i^+3j^+3k^ and b=6i^+3j^+3k^. Then the square of the area of the triangle with adjacent sides determined by the vectors (2a+3b) and (a−b) is :
Official previous-year question
Held on 6 Apr 2026 · Verified 6 Jul 2026.
Options
A
450
B
900
C
1800
D
2400
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Solution
The area of a triangle with adjacent sides u and v is given by Δ=21∣u×v∣.
Here, u=2a+3b and v=a−b.
u×v=(2a+3b)×(a−b)
u×v=2(a×a)−2(a×b)+3(b×a)−3(b×b)
Since a×a=0, b×b=0, and b×a=−a×b, we get:
u×v=−2(a×b)−3(a×b)=−5(a×b)
The area of the triangle is Δ=21∣−5(a×b)∣=25∣a×b∣.
Now, calculating a×b:
a×b=i^26j^33k^33
a×b=i^(9−9)−j^(6−18)+k^(6−18)=12j^−12k^
The square of the magnitude is:
∣a×b∣2=122+(−12)2=144+144=288
The square of the area of the triangle is:
Δ2=(25)2∣a×b∣2=425×288=25×72=1800
Answer: 1800
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