If \[\lambda \left( 3\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\, \right)\] is a unit vector, then the values of \[\lambda \]
(A) \[\pm \dfrac{1}{7}\]
(B) \[\pm 7\]
(C) \[\pm \sqrt{43}\]
(D) \[\pm \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{43}}\]
Answer
574.2k+ views
Hint: We are given a question based on vectors. We are given a unit vector with a character \[\lambda \] whose value we have to find using the given information. We will multiply the \[\lambda \] with the vector given and then we will calculate the magnitude of the resultant vector and equate it to 1. Then, solving further, we will get the value of \[\lambda \] for which the given vector is a unit vector.
Complete step by step answer:
According to the given question, we are given a unit vector and we are asked to find the value of \[\lambda \] in the given vector.
Unit vector is a vector of unit magnitude and direction.
\[\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{a}}\,=\dfrac{a}{\left| a \right|}=1\] where ‘a’ is a unit vector
The vector that we have is,
\[\lambda \left( 3\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\, \right)\]
We will now multiply \[\lambda \] to each of the terms within the brackets and we get,
\[\Rightarrow 3\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\,\]
We will now calculate the magnitude of the above vector and equate it to 1, since we are given that it is a unit vector.
\[\left| 3\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\, \right|=1\]
Calculating the magnitude now, we have,
\[\begin{align}
& \Rightarrow \sqrt{{{\left( 3\lambda \right)}^{2}}+{{\left( 2\lambda \right)}^{2}}+{{\left( -6\lambda \right)}^{2}}}=1 \\
& \Rightarrow \sqrt{9{{\lambda }^{2}}+4{{\lambda }^{2}}+36{{\lambda }^{2}}}=1 \\
& \Rightarrow \sqrt{49{{\lambda }^{2}}}=1 \\
\end{align}\]
\[\begin{align}
& \Rightarrow 7\lambda =1 \\
& \Rightarrow \left| \lambda \right|=\dfrac{1}{7} \\
& \Rightarrow \lambda =\pm \dfrac{1}{7} \\
\end{align}\]
Therefore, the value of \[\lambda =\pm \dfrac{1}{7}\]
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.
Note: We can also find the value of \[\lambda \] by finding the magnitude of the vector \[3\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\,\] separately and then incorporate it with \[\lambda \] and hence find its value. While calculating the magnitude of the vector make sure that the position of the terms and the respective signs are carefully written else the answer will come out wrong.
Complete step by step answer:
According to the given question, we are given a unit vector and we are asked to find the value of \[\lambda \] in the given vector.
Unit vector is a vector of unit magnitude and direction.
\[\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{a}}\,=\dfrac{a}{\left| a \right|}=1\] where ‘a’ is a unit vector
The vector that we have is,
\[\lambda \left( 3\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\, \right)\]
We will now multiply \[\lambda \] to each of the terms within the brackets and we get,
\[\Rightarrow 3\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\,\]
We will now calculate the magnitude of the above vector and equate it to 1, since we are given that it is a unit vector.
\[\left| 3\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\lambda \overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\, \right|=1\]
Calculating the magnitude now, we have,
\[\begin{align}
& \Rightarrow \sqrt{{{\left( 3\lambda \right)}^{2}}+{{\left( 2\lambda \right)}^{2}}+{{\left( -6\lambda \right)}^{2}}}=1 \\
& \Rightarrow \sqrt{9{{\lambda }^{2}}+4{{\lambda }^{2}}+36{{\lambda }^{2}}}=1 \\
& \Rightarrow \sqrt{49{{\lambda }^{2}}}=1 \\
\end{align}\]
\[\begin{align}
& \Rightarrow 7\lambda =1 \\
& \Rightarrow \left| \lambda \right|=\dfrac{1}{7} \\
& \Rightarrow \lambda =\pm \dfrac{1}{7} \\
\end{align}\]
Therefore, the value of \[\lambda =\pm \dfrac{1}{7}\]
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.
Note: We can also find the value of \[\lambda \] by finding the magnitude of the vector \[3\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{i}}\,+2\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{j}}\,-6\overset{\hat{\ }}{\mathop{k}}\,\] separately and then incorporate it with \[\lambda \] and hence find its value. While calculating the magnitude of the vector make sure that the position of the terms and the respective signs are carefully written else the answer will come out wrong.
Recently Updated Pages
Which of the following graphs shows the variation of class 12 physics CBSE

Draw a labelled diagram of the human male reproductive class 12 biology CBSE

Describe the experiment to compare the emf of two cells class 12 physics CBSE

What is standard hydrogen electrode

What is conventional current and electric current class 12 physics CBSE

2Bromopentane is treated with an alcoholic KOH solution class 12 chemistry CBSE

Trending doubts
Draw a labelled sketch of the human eye class 12 physics CBSE

Which are the Top 10 Largest Countries of the World?

Draw ray diagrams each showing i myopic eye and ii class 12 physics CBSE

Give one example of a reptile that is viviparous class 12 biology CBSE

Which is the correct genotypic ratio of mendel dihybrid class 12 biology CBSE

Give 10 examples of unisexual and bisexual flowers

