Q.Find the value of $\lambda$ such that the vectors $\vec{a}=2\hat{i}+\lambda\hat{j}+\hat{k}$ and $\vec{b}=\hat{i}+2\hat{j}+3\hat{k}$ are orthogonal
(A) $0$
(B) $1$
(C) $\dfrac{3}{2}$
(D) $-\dfrac{5}{2}$

Showing the 12 most recent of 25 on this concept.

1. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.The set of real values of λ for which the vectors $\lambda\vec{i}-3\vec{j}+5\vec{k}$ and $2\lambda\vec{i}-\lambda\vec{j}+\vec{k}$ are perpendicular to each other is (A) $\{0, 1\}$ (B) $\{-2\}$ (C) $\{2, -1\}$ (D) $\varphi$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Perpendicular vectors have zero dot product; the resulting quadratic in $\lambda$ has no real roots, so the answer set is empty.

   Concept and Intuition

   Two vectors are perpendicular exactly when their dot product vanishes. Setting up that equation converts a geometry condition into an algebraic one in $\lambda$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. The vectors are $\vec u=(\lambda,-3,5)$ and $\vec v=(2\lambda,-\lambda,1)$.
   2. Perpendicularity: $\vec u\cdot\vec v=0$: $\ \lambda(2\lambda)+(-3)(-\lambda)+5(1)=0$.
   3. Simplify: $2\lambda^2+3\lambda+5=0$.
   4. Discriminant $=3^2-4(2)(5)=9-40=-31<0$. …

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2. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\bar{a} = \bar{i} - \bar{j} + \bar{k}$, $\bar{b} = 2\bar{i} + \bar{j} + \bar{k}$ are two vectors and $\bar{c}$ is a unit vector lying in the plane of $\bar{a}$ and $\bar{b}$. If $\bar{c}$ is perpendicular to $\bar{b}$ then $\bar{c}.(\bar{i}+\bar{j}+2\bar{k}) =$ (A) $0$ (B) $5$ (C) $\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{21}}$ (D) $\dfrac{2}{\sqrt{21}}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This tests finding a unit vector coplanar with two given vectors and perpendicular to one of them; the required dot product works out to $\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{21}}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Any vector in the plane spanned by $\bar a$ and $\bar b$ can be written as a linear combination $m\bar a+n\bar b$. Imposing perpendicularity to $\bar b$ gives one linear equation in $m,n$, pinning down the direction of $\bar c$ up to a scalar (which is then fixed by the unit-length condition).

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $\bar c=m\bar a+n\bar b$ where $\bar a=(1,-1,1),\ \bar b=(2,1,1)$.
   2. $\bar c\cdot\bar b=0\Rightarrow m(\bar a\cdot\bar b)+n(\bar b\cdot\bar b)=0$.
   3. $\bar a\cdot\bar b=1(2)+(-1)(1)+1(1)=2-1+1=2$. $\bar b\cdot\bar b=4+1+1=6$.
   4. So $2m+6n=0\Rightarrow m=-3n$.
   5. $\bar c\parallel -3n\bar a+n\bar b=n(-3\bar a+\bar b)=n\big((-3,3,-3)+(2,1,1)\big)=n(-1,4,-2)$.
   6. Direction vector $(-1,4,-2)$ has magnitude $\sqrt{1+16+4}=\sqrt{21}$, so the unit vector is $\pm\dfrac{(-1,4,-2)}{\sqrt{21}}$. …

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3. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ are two vectors such that $|\vec a| = 2$, $|\vec b| = 3$ and $\vec a + t\vec b$ and $\vec a - t\vec b$ are perpendicular, where 't' is a positive scalar, then (A) $t = \pm\dfrac{2}{3}$ (B) $t = \dfrac{4}{9}$ (C) $t = \dfrac{2}{3}$ (D) $t = \dfrac{2}{9}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Perpendicularity of $\vec a+t\vec b$ and $\vec a-t\vec b$ forces $|\vec a|^2=t^2|\vec b|^2$, giving the positive value $t=2/3$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Two vectors are perpendicular exactly when their dot product is zero. Expanding $(\vec a+t\vec b)\cdot(\vec a-t\vec b)$ using the distributive property of the dot product collapses to a simple difference of squared magnitudes, since $\vec a\cdot\vec b$ cancels.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $(\vec a+t\vec b)\cdot(\vec a-t\vec b) = \vec a\cdot\vec a - t\,\vec a\cdot\vec b + t\,\vec b\cdot\vec a - t^2\,\vec b\cdot\vec b = |\vec a|^2 - t^2|\vec b|^2$.
   2. Setting this to zero (perpendicularity): $|\vec a|^2 = t^2|\vec b|^2$.
   3. Substitute $|\vec a|=2$, $|\vec b|=3$: $4 = 9t^2 \Rightarrow t^2=\dfrac49$. …

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4. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.Let $\vec a=2\vec i-3\vec j-5\vec k$ and $\vec b=3\vec i+2\vec j-5\vec k$ be two vectors and $\vec r$ be a vector in the plane of $\vec a$ and $\vec b$. If $\vec r$ is orthogonal to the vector $5\vec i-2\vec j+3\vec k$ and the magnitude of $\vec r$ is $\sqrt{94}$, then $|\vec r \cdot \vec b| =$ (A) $36$ (B) $38$ (C) $42$ (D) $46$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Since $\vec r$ is in the plane of $\vec a,\vec b$ and perpendicular to $\vec n$, it must be parallel to $(\vec a\times\vec b)\times\vec n$; scaling this to the given magnitude $\sqrt{94}$ and dotting with $\vec b$ gives $|\vec r\cdot\vec b|=46$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Two conditions pin down $\vec r$'s direction uniquely (up to sign and scale): (1) $\vec r$ lies in the plane of $\vec a,\vec b$, meaning $\vec r\perp N$ where $N=\vec a\times\vec b$ is the plane's normal; (2) $\vec r\perp\vec n$ (given). A vector perpendicular to both $N$ and $\vec n$ must be parallel to $N\times\vec n$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\vec a=(2,-3,-5)$, $\vec b=(3,2,-5)$. Compute $N=\vec a\times\vec b$: $N_i=(-3)(-5)-(-5)(2)=15+10=25$ $N_j=-[(2)(-5)-(-5)(3)]=-[-10+15]=-5$ $N_k=(2)(2)-(-3)(3)=4+9=13$ So $N=(25,-5,13)$.
   2. $\vec n=(5,-2,3)$. Compute $N\times\vec n$: $i$: $(-5)(3)-(13)(-2)=-15+26=11$ $j$: $-[(25)(3)-(13)(5)]=-[75-65]=-10$ $k$: $(25)(-2)-(-5)(5)=-50+25=-25$ So $N\times\vec n=(11,-10,-25)$.
   3. $\vec r=\lambda(11,-10,-25)$ for some scalar $\lambda$. $|N\times\vec n|^2=121+100+625=846$.
   4. $|\vec r|^2=\lambda^2(846)=94\Rightarrow\lambda^2=\dfrac{94}{846}=\dfrac19\Rightarrow\lambda=\pm\dfrac13$. …

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5. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\vec a = \dfrac{3}{2}\hat k$, $\vec b = \dfrac{2\hat i + 2\hat j - \hat k}{2}$, then angle between $\vec a + \vec b$ and $\vec a - \vec b$ is (A) $45^\circ$ (B) $90^\circ$ (C) $30^\circ$ (D) $60^\circ$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Computing $(\vec a+\vec b)\cdot(\vec a-\vec b)$ gives zero, so the two vectors are perpendicular.

   Concept and Intuition

   Two vectors are perpendicular exactly when their dot product vanishes. Rather than compute the angle via magnitudes and cosine, it's fastest to just test $(\vec a+\vec b)\cdot(\vec a-\vec b) = |\vec a|^2-|\vec b|^2$ or, more generally here, expand directly since $\vec a,\vec b$ aren't simply given by magnitude alone (they have specific components).

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\vec a = \dfrac32\hat k = (0,0,\tfrac32)$.
   2. $\vec b = \dfrac{2\hat i+2\hat j-\hat k}{2} = \hat i+\hat j-\dfrac12\hat k = (1,1,-\tfrac12)$.
   3. $\vec a+\vec b = (1,1,\tfrac32-\tfrac12) = (1,1,1)$.
   4. $\vec a-\vec b = (-1,-1,\tfrac32+\tfrac12) = (-1,-1,2)$.
   5. Dot product: $(1)(-1)+(1)(-1)+(1)(2) = -1-1+2 = 0$. …

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6. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.Let $\bar{a} = 3\bar{i} - \bar{j} - \bar{k}$, $\bar{b} = \bar{i} + \bar{j} - 2\bar{k}$ and $\bar{c} = 2\bar{i} + 2\bar{j} + \bar{k}$. Let $\bar{d}$ be a vector such that $|\bar{d}| = \sqrt{2}$ units. If the vector $\bar{d}$ is coplanar with $\bar{a}, \bar{b}$ and perpendicular to $\bar{c}$, then $\bar{d} =$ (A) $\pm\dfrac{1}{5}(3\bar{i} - 5\bar{j} + 4\bar{k})$ (B) $\pm\dfrac{1}{5}(-4\bar{i} + 5\bar{j} - 3\bar{k})$ (C) $\pm\dfrac{1}{5}(3\bar{i} + 5\bar{j} - 4\bar{k})$ (D) $\pm\dfrac{1}{5}(-3\bar{i} + 5\bar{j} + 4\bar{k})$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   $\bar d$ coplanar with $\bar a,\bar b$ means $\bar d=x\bar a+y\bar b$; perpendicularity to $\bar c$ fixes the ratio $x:y$; the given magnitude fixes the scale. The answer is (A).

   Concept and Intuition

   "Coplanar with $\bar a,\bar b$" means $\bar d$ lies in the plane spanned by $\bar a$ and $\bar b$, so it can be written as a linear combination $\bar d=x\bar a+y\bar b$ for some scalars $x,y$ (this is exactly what "coplanar with two given vectors, through the origin" means). The perpendicularity condition $\bar d\cdot\bar c=0$ then gives one constraint relating $x$ and $y$, so $\bar d$ is pinned down up to a single scalar multiple — which the given magnitude $|\bar d|=\sqrt2$ finally fixes (up to sign, since both directions along that line satisfy all the stated conditions).

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Given $\bar a=(3,-1,-1)$, $\bar b=(1,1,-2)$, $\bar c=(2,2,1)$.
   2. Since $\bar d$ is coplanar with $\bar a,\bar b$, write $\bar d = x\bar a + y\bar b = (3x+y,\,-x+y,\,-x-2y)$.
   3. Perpendicularity to $\bar c$: $\bar d\cdot\bar c=0$:

   $2(3x+y)+2(-x+y)+1(-x-2y)=0$

   $6x+2y-2x+2y-x-2y=0 \implies 3x+2y=0 \implies y=-\tfrac{3x}{2}.$

   4. Substitute back:

   $\bar d = \left(3x-\tfrac{3x}{2},\ -x-\tfrac{3x}{2},\ -x+3x\right) = \left(\tfrac{3x}{2},\,-\tfrac{5x}{2},\,2x\right).$

   Let $x=2t$ to clear fractions: $\bar d = (3t,-5t,4t) = t(3,-5,4)$. …

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7. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\bar{a}=2\bar{i}+3\bar{j}, \bar{b}=3\bar{j}+4\bar{k}$ and $\bar{c}=5\bar{i}+4\bar{k}$ are three vectors, then a vector which is perpendicular to $\bar{a}$ and $\bar{b}\times\bar{c}$ is (A) $45\bar{i}-30\bar{j}+15\bar{k}$ (B) $3\bar{i}-2\bar{j}+\bar{k}$ (C) $-30\bar{i}+20\bar{j}+4\bar{k}$ (D) $-45\bar{i}+30\bar{j}+4\bar{k}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This tests the vector-triple-product idea: a vector perpendicular to both $\bar a$ and $\bar b\times\bar c$ is simply $\bar a\times(\bar b\times\bar c)$.

   Concept and Intuition

   The cross product of any two vectors is perpendicular to both of them. So if we want a single vector perpendicular to $\bar a$ AND to $\bar b\times\bar c$, the natural candidate is $\bar a\times(\bar b\times\bar c)$ — it is perpendicular to $\bar a$ by definition of cross product, and perpendicular to $\bar b\times\bar c$ for the same reason. No need to invoke the full triple-product expansion formula; we just compute it directly.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Given $\bar a=2\bar i+3\bar j+0\bar k$, $\bar b=0\bar i+3\bar j+4\bar k$, $\bar c=5\bar i+0\bar j+4\bar k$.
   2. Compute $\bar b\times\bar c=\begin{vmatrix}\bar i&\bar j&\bar k\\0&3&4\\5&0&4\end{vmatrix}$ $=\bar i(3\cdot4-4\cdot0)-\bar j(0\cdot4-4\cdot5)+\bar k(0\cdot0-3\cdot5)=12\bar i+20\bar j-15\bar k$.
   3. Compute $\bar a\times(\bar b\times\bar c)=\begin{vmatrix}\bar i&\bar j&\bar k\\2&3&0\\12&20&-15\end{vmatrix}$ …

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8. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.The vector of magnitude 2 lying in the plane of $\bar{a} = 2\bar{i} - \bar{j} + \bar{k}$ and $\bar{b} = \bar{i} + 3\bar{j} - 5\bar{k}$ and perpendicular to the vector $\bar{c} = \bar{i} + \bar{j} + \bar{k}$ is (A) $\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{61}}(4\bar{i}+5\bar{j}-9\bar{k})$ (B) $\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{9}}(2\bar{i}+3\bar{j}-5\bar{k})$ (C) $\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{31}}(\bar{i}+5\bar{j}-6\bar{k})$ (D) $\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{13}}(-\bar{i}-3\bar{j}+4\bar{k})$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This tests writing a vector "in the plane of $\bar a,\bar b$" as a linear combination $\alpha\bar a+\beta\bar b$, using perpendicularity to $\bar c$ to pin the ratio $\alpha:\beta$, and finally scaling the resulting direction to the required magnitude.

   Concept and Intuition

   Every vector lying in the plane spanned by $\bar a$ and $\bar b$ is some linear combination $\alpha\bar a+\beta\bar b$ — that's what "lying in the plane" means. The extra condition (perpendicular to $\bar c$) gives one linear equation in $\alpha,\beta$, which fixes their ratio (the direction is determined up to an overall scale). The magnitude condition then fixes that scale.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $\bar d=\alpha\bar a+\beta\bar b$ for some scalars $\alpha,\beta$ (this covers every vector in the plane of $\bar a,\bar b$).
   2. Require $\bar d\cdot\bar c=0$: $\alpha(\bar a\cdot\bar c)+\beta(\bar b\cdot\bar c)=0$.
   3. $\bar a\cdot\bar c=(2)(1)+(-1)(1)+(1)(1)=2-1+1=2$. $\bar b\cdot\bar c=(1)(1)+(3)(1)+(-5)(1)=1+3-5=-1$.
   4. So $2\alpha-\beta=0\Rightarrow\beta=2\alpha$. Taking $\alpha=1,\beta=2$: direction $=\bar a+2\bar b=(2+2,\,-1+6,\,1-10)=(4,5,-9)$.
   5. Magnitude of this direction: $\sqrt{4^2+5^2+(-9)^2}=\sqrt{16+25+81}=\sqrt{122}$. …

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9. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If the line joining $A(4,1,2)$ and $B(0,k,1)$ is perpendicular to the line joining $C(-2,1,1)$ and $D(4,2,5)$, then the value of $k =$ ______ (A) $31$ (B) $-29$ (C) $-31$ (D) $29$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Perpendicular lines have direction vectors with zero dot product; setting up $\vec{AB}\cdot\vec{CD}=0$ gives $k=29$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Two lines are perpendicular exactly when their direction vectors have a zero dot product. Here, $\vec{AB}$ is the direction of the line through $A,B$ and $\vec{CD}$ is the direction of the line through $C,D$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\vec{AB}=B-A=(0-4,\,k-1,\,1-2)=(-4,\,k-1,\,-1)$.
   2. $\vec{CD}=D-C=(4-(-2),\,2-1,\,5-1)=(6,\,1,\,4)$.
   3. Perpendicularity: $\vec{AB}\cdot\vec{CD}=0$:

   $(-4)(6)+(k-1)(1)+(-1)(4)=0$

   $-24+k-1-4=0 \Rightarrow k-29=0 \Rightarrow k=29.$

   Common Mistakes …

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10. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.If the vectors $2\bar{i} + 3\bar{j} + l\bar{k}$, $-3\bar{i} - 2\bar{j} - 4l\bar{k}$ and $\bar{i} - \bar{j} + 3l\bar{k}$ form a right angled triangle for a positive value of $l$, then the length of its hypotenuse is (A) $\sqrt{\dfrac{40}{3}}$ (B) $\sqrt{\dfrac{55}{3}}$ (C) $\sqrt{\dfrac{65}{3}}$ (D) $\sqrt{\dfrac{59}{3}}$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Because the three given vectors sum to zero, they are the side vectors of a closed triangle; finding which pair is mutually perpendicular locates the right angle, and the third side (opposite that angle) is the hypotenuse whose length we compute.

    Concept and Intuition

    If three vectors $u,v,w$ satisfy $u+v+w=\bar0$, they can be laid tip-to-tail to close a triangle — this is exactly the vector-polygon condition. The vertex where two of them (as drawn, not reversed) are mutually perpendicular is the right-angle vertex of the triangle, and the side "opposite" that vertex — i.e. the third vector — is the hypotenuse. So the whole problem reduces to (a) finding which pair dots to zero for some positive $l$, and (b) computing that third vector's magnitude.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Let $u=(2,3,l)$, $v=(-3,-2,-4l)$, $w=(1,-1,3l)$.
    2. Check closure: $u+v+w=(2-3+1,\,3-2-1,\,l-4l+3l)=(0,0,0)$ — confirmed, they form a triangle.
    3. Test each pair's dot product for a value making it zero (this locates the right angle):
       • $u\cdot v = -6-6-4l^2=-12-4l^2$ — never zero for real $l$.
       • $v\cdot w = -3+2-12l^2=-1-12l^2$ — never zero for real $l$.
       • $u\cdot w = 2-3+3l^2=3l^2-1$ — zero when $l^2=\dfrac13$, i.e. $l=\dfrac{1}{\sqrt3}>0$. ✓ (matches "positive value of $l$" in the problem.) …

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11. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.Let ABC be an equilateral triangle of side $a$. M and N are two points on the sides AB and AC respectively such that $\overline{AN} = K\overline{AC}$ and $\overline{AB} = 3\overline{AM}$. If the vectors $\overline{BN}$ and $\overline{CM}$ are perpendicular, then $K =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{5}$ (B) $\dfrac{2}{5}$ (C) $-\dfrac{1}{5}$ (D) $-\dfrac{2}{5}$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Express $\overline{BN}$ and $\overline{CM}$ in terms of the two sides from $A$, use the $60^\circ$ dot product of an equilateral triangle, and set the perpendicularity condition to zero to solve for $K=\dfrac15$.

    Concept and Intuition

    Placing the vertex $A$ at the origin turns every other point into a simple scalar multiple of the two side vectors $\overline{AB}$ and $\overline{AC}$. Perpendicularity of two vectors becomes an algebraic condition: their dot product is zero. For an equilateral triangle, $\overline{AB}.\overline{AC}=a^2\cos 60^\circ=\dfrac{a^2}{2}$.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Let $A$ be the origin, $\bar c=\overline{AB}$, $\bar b=\overline{AC}$, with $|\bar b|=|\bar c|=a$ and $\bar b.\bar c=\dfrac{a^2}{2}$.
    2. Since $\overline{AB}=3\overline{AM}$, $M=\dfrac{\bar c}{3}$. Since $\overline{AN}=K\overline{AC}$, $N=K\bar b$.
    3. $\overline{BN}=N-B=K\bar b-\bar c$, and $\overline{CM}=M-C=\dfrac{\bar c}{3}-\bar b$.
    4. Perpendicularity: $\overline{BN}.\overline{CM}=0$: $(K\bar b-\bar c).\left(\dfrac{\bar c}{3}-\bar b\right)= \dfrac{K}{3}(\bar b.\bar c) - K|\bar b|^2 - \dfrac13|\bar c|^2 + \bar b.\bar c = 0$.
    5. Substitute $|\bar b|^2=|\bar c|^2=a^2$, $\bar b.\bar c=a^2/2$: …

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12. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.$\bar{a},\bar{b},\bar{c}$ are unit vectors. If $\bar{a},\bar{b}$ are perpendicular vectors, $(\bar{a}-\bar{c}).(\bar{b}+\bar{c})=0$ and $\bar{c}=l\bar{a}+m\bar{b}+n(\bar{a}\times\bar{b})$; (l, m, n are scalars), then $n^2=$ (A) $l^2+m^2$ (B) $-2lm$ (C) $2l-2m$ (D) $lm+l+m$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Because $\bar a,\bar b,\bar a\times\bar b$ form an orthonormal triad, decomposing $\bar c$ in this basis and using the given perpendicularity condition shows $n^2=-2lm$.

    Concept and Intuition

    When $\bar a$ and $\bar b$ are perpendicular unit vectors, $\bar a\times\bar b$ is automatically a unit vector too (since $|\bar a\times\bar b|=|\bar a||\bar b|\sin 90°=1$) and is perpendicular to both $\bar a$ and $\bar b$. So $\{\bar a,\bar b,\bar a\times\bar b\}$ is an orthonormal basis — any vector's components along these three directions are just its dot products with each, and its squared magnitude is simply the sum of squared components (Pythagoras in 3D).

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Since $\bar a\perp\bar b$ and both are unit vectors, $\bar a.\bar b=0$ and $\{\bar a,\bar b,\bar a\times\bar b\}$ is orthonormal.
    2. Expand $(\bar a-\bar c).(\bar b+\bar c)=0$: $\bar a.\bar b+\bar a.\bar c-\bar c.\bar b-\bar c.\bar c=0$.
    3. Since $\bar a.\bar b=0$ and $\bar c.\bar c=|\bar c|^2=1$ (unit vector): $\bar a.\bar c-\bar b.\bar c-1=0 \Rightarrow \bar a.\bar c-\bar b.\bar c=1$.
    4. Given $\bar c=l\bar a+m\bar b+n(\bar a\times\bar b)$, dot with $\bar a$: $\bar a.\bar c=l(\bar a.\bar a)+m(\bar a.\bar b)+n\cdot\bar a.(\bar a\times\bar b)=l(1)+m(0)+n(0)=l$ (since $\bar a.(\bar a\times\bar b)=0$, a vector is always perpendicular to a cross product it's part of).
    5. Similarly, dot with $\bar b$: $\bar b.\bar c=l(\bar b.\bar a)+m(\bar b.\bar b)+n\cdot\bar b.(\bar a\times\bar b)=0+m(1)+0=m$.
    6. From step 3: $l-m=1$. …

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