a=3i−5j and b=6i+3j are two vectors and c is a vector such that c=a×b then a:b:c =
Options
Solution
Key Concepts and Formulas
Magnitude of a Vector: For a vector v=xi+yj+zk, its magnitude is ∣v∣=x2+y2+z2. For a 2D vector v=xi+yj, the magnitude is ∣v∣=x2+y2.
Cross Product of Two Vectors: For vectors a=axi+ayj+azk and b=bxi+byj+bzk, their cross product is:
a×b=iaxbxjaybykazbz
Step-by-Step Solution
We are given the vectors a=3i−5j and b=6i+3j. We need to find the ratio ∣a∣:∣b∣:∣c∣, where c=a×b.
Step 1: Calculate the magnitude of a.
Why? The ratio requires the magnitude of a.
Using the formula for the magnitude of a 2D vector:
∣a∣=(3)2+(−5)2=9+25=34
Step 2: Calculate the magnitude of b.
Why? The ratio requires the magnitude of b.
Using the formula for the magnitude of a 2D vector:
∣b∣=(6)2+(3)2=36+9=45
Step 3: Calculate the cross product c=a×b.
Why? We need to find the vector c to calculate its magnitude. Since a and b are in the XY-plane, their k components are zero.
We write a=3i−5j+0k and b=6i+3j+0k.
Using the determinant formula for the cross product:
c=a×b=i36j−53k00
Expanding the determinant:
c=i((−5)(0)−(0)(3))−j((3)(0)−(0)(6))+k((3)(3)−(−5)(6))c=i(0)−j(0)+k(9−(−30))c=0i−0j+k(9+30)c=39k
Step 4: Calculate the magnitude of c.
Why? The ratio requires the magnitude of c.
The vector c is 0i+0j+39k.
Using the magnitude formula:
∣c∣=(0)2+(0)2+(39)2=392=39
Step 5: Form the ratio ∣a∣:∣b∣:∣c∣.
Why? This is the final step to answer the question.
Substituting the calculated magnitudes:
∣a∣:∣b∣:∣c∣=34:45:39
Common Mistakes & Tips
Zero k Component: When calculating the cross product of 2D vectors, remember to include a zero for the k component of each vector. This is crucial for the determinant calculation.
Magnitude of Cross Product: The magnitude of the cross product ∣a×b∣ gives the area of the parallelogram formed by a and b. For vectors in the XY-plane, the cross product is always a vector along the Z-axis.
Simplifying Square Roots: While 45 can be simplified to 35, it's not necessary for forming the ratio as given in the options.
Summary
We calculated the magnitudes of the given vectors a and b. Then, we computed their cross product c using the determinant method, which resulted in a vector along the Z-axis. Finally, we found the magnitude of c and formed the ratio of the three magnitudes. The calculated ratio is 34:45:39.