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Q.Find the co-ordinates of the point on the line r⃗=−j^+3k^+λ(2i^−2j^+k^)\vec{r} = -\hat{j} + 3\hat{k} + \lambda(2\hat{i} - 2\hat{j} + \hat{k}) such that the sum of co-ordinates is 3.

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2026Subjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
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Any point on the line has coordinates (2λ,−1−2λ,3+λ)(2\lambda, -1-2\lambda, 3+\lambda); setting their sum equal to 3 gives λ=1\lambda = 1, so the point is (2, −3, 4).

A line in vector form r⃗=a⃗+λb⃗\vec{r} = \vec{a} + \lambda \vec{b} represents all points obtained by starting at position vector a⃗\vec{a} and moving along direction b⃗\vec{b} by a scalar multiple λ\lambda. The parameter λ\lambda can be any real number, and each value gives one point on the line. To find a specific point satisfying a condition, we express the general coordinates in terms of λ\lambda, apply the condition, solve for λ\lambda, and substitute back.

The given line is:

r⃗=−j^+3k^+λ(2i^−2j^+k^)\vec{r} = -\hat{j} + 3\hat{k} + \lambda(2\hat{i} - 2\hat{j} + \hat{k})

Let me rewrite this in component form:

r⃗=(0i^−j^+3k^)+λ(2i^−2j^+k^)\vec{r} = (0\hat{i} - \hat{j} + 3\hat{k}) + \lambda(2\hat{i} - 2\hat{j} + \hat{k})

Expanding:

r⃗=2λi^+(−1−2λ)j^+(3+λ)k^\vec{r} = 2\lambda\hat{i} + (-1 - 2\lambda)\hat{j} + (3 + \lambda)\hat{k}

So a general point on the line has coordinates:

(x,y,z)=(2λ,−1−2λ,3+λ)(x, y, z) = (2\lambda, -1-2\lambda, 3+\lambda)

Now I'll apply the constraint that the sum of coordinates equals 3.

  1. Write the sum of coordinates: …

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