If the vectors \[2\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}-\widehat{k},-\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\lambda \widehat{k}\] and \[-5\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-\widehat{k}\] are coplanar, then the value of \[\lambda \] is equal to
A. \[-13\]
B. \[\dfrac{13}{9}\]
C. \[-\dfrac{13}{9}\]
D. \[-\dfrac{9}{13}\]
Answer
302.7k+ views
Hint: In this question, we have to find the value of \[\lambda \]. In a three-dimensional space when vectors lie on the same plane, then they are called Coplanar vectors. These vectors are parallelly aligned to the same plane. When the scalar triple product is zero for the given three vectors in 3d-space, then the vectors are coplanar
Formula used: Scalar triple product of three vectors:
We have the vectors \[\overrightarrow{a},\overrightarrow{b},\overrightarrow{c}\] as
\[\begin{align}
& \overrightarrow{a}={{a}_{1}}\overrightarrow{i}+{{a}_{2}}\overrightarrow{j}+{{a}_{3}}\overrightarrow{k} \\
& \overrightarrow{b}={{b}_{1}}\overrightarrow{i}+{{b}_{2}}\overrightarrow{j}+{{b}_{3}}\overrightarrow{k} \\
& \overrightarrow{c}={{c}_{1}}\overrightarrow{i}+{{c}_{2}}\overrightarrow{j}+{{c}_{3}}\overrightarrow{k} \\
\end{align}\]
Then, the triple product is calculated by,
\[[\overrightarrow{a}\text{ }\overrightarrow{b}\text{ }\overrightarrow{c}]=\left| \begin{matrix}
{{a}_{1}} & {{a}_{2}} & {{a}_{3}} \\
{{b}_{1}} & {{b}_{2}} & {{b}_{3}} \\
{{c}_{1}} & {{c}_{2}} & {{c}_{3}} \\
\end{matrix} \right|\]
Complete step by step solution: It is given that,
\[\begin{align}
& \overrightarrow{a}=2\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}-\widehat{k} \\
& \overrightarrow{b}=-\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\lambda \widehat{k} \\
& \overrightarrow{c}=-5\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-\widehat{k} \\
\end{align}\]
These three vectors are coplanar. Then, \[[\overrightarrow{a}\text{ }\overrightarrow{b}\text{ }\overrightarrow{c}]=0\]
On substituting,
\[\begin{align}
& [\overrightarrow{a}\text{ }\overrightarrow{b}\text{ }\overrightarrow{c}]=\left| \begin{matrix}
{{a}_{1}} & {{a}_{2}} & {{a}_{3}} \\
{{b}_{1}} & {{b}_{2}} & {{b}_{3}} \\
{{c}_{1}} & {{c}_{2}} & {{c}_{3}} \\
\end{matrix} \right| \\
& \text{ }=\left| \begin{matrix}
2 & 1 & -1 \\
-1 & 2 & \lambda \\
-5 & 2 & -1 \\
\end{matrix} \right| \\
& \text{ }=2(-2-2\lambda )-1(1+5\lambda )-1(-2+10) \\
& \text{ }=-4-4\lambda -1-5\lambda +2-10 \\
& \text{ }=-9\lambda -13 \\
\end{align}\]
Thus,
\[\begin{align}
& [\overrightarrow{a}\text{ }\overrightarrow{b}\text{ }\overrightarrow{c}]=-9\lambda -13=0 \\
& \Rightarrow 9\lambda =-13 \\
& \Rightarrow \lambda =\dfrac{-13}{9} \\
\end{align}\]
Thus, Option (C) is correct.
Note: To solve this problem conditions for coplanarity must be remembered i.e., if three vectors are coplanar, then their scalar triple product is zero. One should know the concept of dot product and cross product before tackling such questions.
Formula used: Scalar triple product of three vectors:
We have the vectors \[\overrightarrow{a},\overrightarrow{b},\overrightarrow{c}\] as
\[\begin{align}
& \overrightarrow{a}={{a}_{1}}\overrightarrow{i}+{{a}_{2}}\overrightarrow{j}+{{a}_{3}}\overrightarrow{k} \\
& \overrightarrow{b}={{b}_{1}}\overrightarrow{i}+{{b}_{2}}\overrightarrow{j}+{{b}_{3}}\overrightarrow{k} \\
& \overrightarrow{c}={{c}_{1}}\overrightarrow{i}+{{c}_{2}}\overrightarrow{j}+{{c}_{3}}\overrightarrow{k} \\
\end{align}\]
Then, the triple product is calculated by,
\[[\overrightarrow{a}\text{ }\overrightarrow{b}\text{ }\overrightarrow{c}]=\left| \begin{matrix}
{{a}_{1}} & {{a}_{2}} & {{a}_{3}} \\
{{b}_{1}} & {{b}_{2}} & {{b}_{3}} \\
{{c}_{1}} & {{c}_{2}} & {{c}_{3}} \\
\end{matrix} \right|\]
Complete step by step solution: It is given that,
\[\begin{align}
& \overrightarrow{a}=2\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}-\widehat{k} \\
& \overrightarrow{b}=-\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\lambda \widehat{k} \\
& \overrightarrow{c}=-5\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-\widehat{k} \\
\end{align}\]
These three vectors are coplanar. Then, \[[\overrightarrow{a}\text{ }\overrightarrow{b}\text{ }\overrightarrow{c}]=0\]
On substituting,
\[\begin{align}
& [\overrightarrow{a}\text{ }\overrightarrow{b}\text{ }\overrightarrow{c}]=\left| \begin{matrix}
{{a}_{1}} & {{a}_{2}} & {{a}_{3}} \\
{{b}_{1}} & {{b}_{2}} & {{b}_{3}} \\
{{c}_{1}} & {{c}_{2}} & {{c}_{3}} \\
\end{matrix} \right| \\
& \text{ }=\left| \begin{matrix}
2 & 1 & -1 \\
-1 & 2 & \lambda \\
-5 & 2 & -1 \\
\end{matrix} \right| \\
& \text{ }=2(-2-2\lambda )-1(1+5\lambda )-1(-2+10) \\
& \text{ }=-4-4\lambda -1-5\lambda +2-10 \\
& \text{ }=-9\lambda -13 \\
\end{align}\]
Thus,
\[\begin{align}
& [\overrightarrow{a}\text{ }\overrightarrow{b}\text{ }\overrightarrow{c}]=-9\lambda -13=0 \\
& \Rightarrow 9\lambda =-13 \\
& \Rightarrow \lambda =\dfrac{-13}{9} \\
\end{align}\]
Thus, Option (C) is correct.
Note: To solve this problem conditions for coplanarity must be remembered i.e., if three vectors are coplanar, then their scalar triple product is zero. One should know the concept of dot product and cross product before tackling such questions.
Recently Updated Pages
If a parabola whose length of latus rectum is 4a touches class 11 maths JEE_Main

Find the cubic polynomial whose zeroes are 3 5 and class 11 maths JEE_Main

During the sale colour pencils were being sold in -class-11-maths-JEE_Main

A man on the top of a vertical observation tower o-class-11-maths-JEE_Main

In a class of 60 students 25 students play cricket class 11 maths JEE_Main

A regular polygon has 20 sides How many triangles can class 11 maths JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Hybridisation in Chemistry – Concept, Types & Applications

Other Pages
NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Chapter 6 Permutations And Combinations - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Chapter 8 Sequences And Series - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Chapter 9 Straight Lines - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Complex Numbers And Quadratic Equations - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

What Are Current and Potential Difference in Electricity?

