Q.Let a, b, c be three vectors such that ∣a∣=3, ∣b∣=4, ∣c∣=5 and each one of them being perpendicular to the sum of the other two, find ∣a+b+c∣.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Perpendicular Vectors Condition
Perpendicular Vectors Condition
Two arrows that meet at a right angle — one east, one north — are perpendicular (or orthogonal) vectors. How do you check this without a protractor, especially in 3D where the angle is hard to draw?
The Idea: Zero Overlap
When two vectors are perpendicular, neither "borrows" any length from the other: walking along one makes zero progress in the direction of the other. The tool that measures this overlap is the dot product.
a⊥b⟺a⋅b=0
Why? Using a⋅b=∥a∥∥b∥cosθ, a right angle gives cos90∘=0, so the dot product vanishes. In coordinates, for a=(a1,a2,a3) and b=(b1,b2,b3),
a⋅b=a1b1+a2b2+a3b3,
and you simply check whether this sum is 0.
Examples
2D: a=(3,4), b=(4,−3): 3(4)+4(−3)=12−12=0 — perpendicular. (In general (x,y) and (y,−x) are always perpendicular.)
3D: p=(1,2,3), q=(2,−1,0): 2−2+0=0 — perpendicular.
Not every pair qualifies: (2,1)⋅(1,3)=2+3=5=0, so those two are not perpendicular.
In dimensions above 3 we cannot picture the right angle, but the test is unchanged: dot product =0 still defines orthogonality.
Why It Matters …
Concept: Perpendicular Vectors Condition — if x⊥y, then x⋅y=0.
Given: each vector is perpendicular to the sum of the other two.
So:
a⋅(b+c)=0,b⋅(c+a)=0,c⋅(a+b)=0.
From the first: a⋅b+a⋅c=0.
From the second: b⋅c+b⋅a=0.
From the third: c⋅a+c⋅b=0.
Adding all three gives:
2(a⋅b+b⋅c+c⋅a)=0⇒a⋅b+b⋅c+c⋅a=0.
Now, …
The key idea is that each vector is perpendicular to the sum of the other two, which forces the three vectors to be mutually perpendicular. Using the Pythagorean theorem in vector form, the magnitude of the sum is 32+42+52=50=52.
The condition “each vector is perpendicular to the sum of the other two” is a compact way of saying three things at once:
- a⊥(b+c)
- b⊥(c+a)
- c⊥(a+b)
When two vectors are perpendicular, their dot product is zero. So this condition translates into three dot-product equations. Let’s see what they reveal.
Step 1: Write the perpendicularity conditions as dot products
a⋅(b+c)=0⇒a⋅b+a⋅c=0
b⋅(c+a)=0⇒b⋅c+b⋅a=0
c⋅(a+b)=0⇒c⋅a+c⋅b=0
These are three equations in the three unknown dot products. Let’s label them for clarity:
Let x=a⋅b, y=b⋅c, z=c⋅a.
Then the equations become:
x+z=0(1)
y+x=0(2)
z+y=0(3)
Step 2: Solve for the dot products
From (1): z=−x
From (2): y=−x
Substitute into (3): (−x)+(−x)=0⇒−2x=0⇒x=0
Then y=0 and z=0.
So all three dot products are zero:
a⋅b=b⋅c=c⋅a=0
The condition “each vector is perpendicular to the sum of the other two” forces the three vectors to be pairwise perpendicular. This is a neat logical leap — it’s not obvious at first glance, but the algebra confirms it.
Step 3: Use the pairwise perpendicularity to find ∣a+b+c∣
When vectors are mutually perpendicular, the square of the magnitude of their sum is simply the sum of the squares of their magnitudes. This is the vector version of the Pythagorean theorem.
∣a+b+c∣2=(a+b+c)⋅(a+b+c)
Expand: …
Method: Magnitude of a vector sum from perpendicularity conditions
Convert every "perpendicular" statement into a dot-product-equals-zero equation, deduce the pairwise dot products, then expand ∣a+b+c∣2.
Steps
Step 1: Turn each perpendicularity into a dot equation
"a perpendicular to b+c" means a⋅(b+c)=0, i.e. a⋅b+a⋅c=0. Write one such equation for each condition.
Step 2: Solve for the pairwise dot products
Adding or comparing the equations typically forces each pairwise dot product to zero — meaning the three vectors are mutually perpendicular.
Step 3: Expand the squared magnitude of the sum …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Adding the magnitudes directly, ∣a+b+c∣=∣a∣+∣b∣+∣c∣.
Why it's wrong: magnitude is not additive; the length of a sum depends on directions, captured by the cross terms. Correct approach: expand ∣a+b+c∣2 and take the square root at the end.
Mistake 2: Dropping the 2(a⋅b+b⋅c+c⋅a) cross terms.
Why it's wrong: the square of a three-term sum contains every pairwise product; ignoring them gives the wrong value whenever the vectors are not perpendicular. Correct approach: always write the full expansion, then use the perpendicularity results to zero out the cross terms. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 19 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.a,b,c are three vectors such that ∣a∣=3,∣b∣=22,∣c∣=5 and c is perpendicular to the plane of a and b. If the angle between the vectors a and b is 4π then
[!FORMULA] ∣a+b+c∣=
(A) 53 (B) 25 (C) 10 (D) 36›Reveal solutionSolution
Since c⊥ plane of a,b, the cross terms with c vanish and a⋅b=6. Then ∣a+b+c∣2=9+8+25+2(6)=54, so the magnitude is 36, option (D).
Expand the squared magnitude
∣a+b+c∣2=∣a∣2+∣b∣2+∣c∣2+2(a⋅b+b⋅c+c⋅a).
Evaluate the pieces
Magnitudes:
∣a∣2=9,∣b∣2=(22)2=8,∣c∣2=25.
Because c is perpendicular to the plane of a and b, it is perpendicular to both:
b⋅c=0,c⋅a=0.
The angle between a and b is 4π: …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-FN1 markMCQQ.Consider the vectors a=3i^+5j^+2k^, b=2i^−3j^−5k^ and c=−5i^−2j^+3k^. If l,m and n are length of projections of a on b, b on c and c on a respectively, then (A) l+m−n=0 (B) l=m=n (C) l−m+n=0 (D) m+n−l=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
We calculate the length of the projection of a on b, b on c, and c on a using the scalar projection formula. All three lengths turn out to be equal, so the correct option is (B).
The length of the projection of one vector onto another is a fundamental concept in vector algebra. It represents the magnitude of the component of the first vector that lies along the direction of the second vector.
To find the length of the projection of a vector P onto another vector Q, we use the scalar projection formula. This formula essentially tells us how much of P "points in the direction of" Q. The dot product P⋅Q gives us a measure of how much the vectors align, and dividing by the magnitude of Q normalizes this to give the component along Q. Since we are looking for a "length", we take the absolute value of this scalar projection to ensure it's non-negative.
The length of the projection of vector P onto vector Q is given by:
Length of projection=∣Q∣∣P⋅Q∣
Let's apply this concept to find l,m, and n.
-
Identify the given vectors:
We are given the three vectors:
a=3i^+5j^+2k^
b=2i^−3j^−5k^
c=−5i^−2j^+3k^
-
Calculate l, the length of the projection of a on b:
First, calculate the dot product a⋅b:
a⋅b=(3)(2)+(5)(−3)+(2)(−5)
a⋅b=6−15−10=−19
Next, calculate the magnitude of b:
∣b∣=22+(−3)2+(−5)2
∣b∣=4+9+25=38
Now, use the projection formula for l:
l=∣b∣∣a⋅b∣=38∣−19∣=3819
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Calculate m, the length of the projection of b on c:
First, calculate the dot product b⋅c:
b⋅c=(2)(−5)+(−3)(−2)+(−5)(3)
b⋅c=−10+6−15=−19
Next, calculate the magnitude of c:
∣c∣=(−5)2+(−2)2+32
∣c∣=25+4+9=38
Now, use the projection formula for m:
m=∣c∣∣b⋅c∣=38∣−19∣=3819
-
Calculate n, the length of the projection of c on a:
First, calculate the dot product c⋅a: …
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-AN1 markMCQQ.a,b,c are three non-coplanar and mutually perpendicular vectors of same magnitude K. r is any vector satisfying a×((r−b)×a)+b×((r−c)×b)+c×((r−a)×c)=0, then r= (A) 3K2−1K2(a+b+c) (B) 2a+b+c (C) K+1K(a+b+c) (D) K2+1a+b+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
BAC–CAB expansion + orthogonality collapses the equation to 2K2r=K2(a+b+c), so r=2a+b+c — option (B).
Concept. Use the vector triple-product identity A×(B×C)=B(A⋅C)−C(A⋅B), plus the facts that a,b,c are mutually perpendicular (a⋅b=b⋅c=c⋅a=0) with ∣a∣=∣b∣=∣c∣=K, and that they form an orthogonal basis: any r satisfies a(a⋅r)+b(b⋅r)+c(c⋅r)=K2r.
Step 1 — expand one term.
a×((r−b)×a)=(r−b)(a⋅a)−a(a⋅(r−b))=K2r−K2b−a(a⋅r),
using a⋅b=0.
Step 2 — the cyclic sum. Similarly,
b×((r−c)×b)=K2r−K2c−b(b⋅r),c×((r−a)×c)=K2r−K2a−c(c⋅r).
Adding all three and setting the sum to 0: …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-FN1 markMCQQ.a,b,c are three non-coplanar and mutually perpendicular vectors of same magnitude K. r is any vector satisfying a×((r−b)×a)+b×((r−c)×b)+c×((r−a)×c)=0, then r= (A) K2+1a+b+c (B) 3K2−1K2(a+b+c) (C) K+1K(a+b+c) (D) 2a+b+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Expand each vector triple product with the BAC-CAB rule; orthogonality of a,b,c (each of magnitude K) reduces the equation to 2K2r=K2(a+b+c), so r=21(a+b+c).
Concept — vector triple product. For any vectors, a×(u×a)=(a⋅a)u−(a⋅u)a.
Step 1 — expand each term. With ∣a∣=∣b∣=∣c∣=K:
a×((r−b)×a)=K2(r−b)−(a⋅(r−b))a
and similarly for the b and c terms.
Step 2 — add the three terms. Since a⋅b=b⋅c=c⋅a=0, the dot products of one vector with another vanish, leaving
K2[3r−(a+b+c)]−[(a⋅r)a+(b⋅r)b+(c⋅r)c]=0. …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.Let a=2i−j+k, b=2j−3k. If b=c−d, a is parallel to c and perpendicular to d, then c+d= (A) −61(2a+5b) (B) 31(3a+5b) (C) 61(5a+2b) (D) −31(5a+3b)
›Reveal solutionSolution
We use the conditions for parallel and perpendicular vectors to express the unknown vectors c and d in terms of a and b, then sum them. The result is −31(5a+3b).
The problem asks us to find the sum of two unknown vectors, c and d, given their relationship with known vectors a and b, and specific conditions about their orientation. The core idea is to translate the geometric conditions (parallelism and perpendicularity) into algebraic equations using scalar multiplication and the dot product. This allows us to express c and d in terms of a and b and then find their sum.
Here's how we approach this:
- Understand Parallel Vectors: If two non-zero vectors u and v are parallel, it means they point in the same or opposite direction. Mathematically, this is expressed as u=kv for some non-zero scalar k.
- Understand Perpendicular Vectors: If two non-zero vectors u and v are perpendicular (orthogonal), their dot product is zero. Mathematically, this is expressed as u⋅v=0.
- Use the given relationships: We are given b=c−d. This equation connects c and d to b.
- Combine conditions: We will use the parallel condition to express c in terms of a and an unknown scalar. Then, we'll use the given vector equation to express d in terms of a, b, and the same unknown scalar. Finally, the perpendicular condition will allow us to solve for this scalar.
Let's work through the steps:
- Express c using the parallel condition: We are given that a is parallel to c. This means c must be a scalar multiple of a. Let this scalar be k.
c=ka
Here, $k$ is an unknown scalar that we need to determine.2. Express d in terms of a, b, and k:
We are given the relation b=c−d.
We can rearrange this to find d:
d=c−b
Now, substitute the expression for $\vec{c}$ from Step 1:d=ka−b
- Use the perpendicular condition to find k: We are given that a is perpendicular to d. This means their dot product is zero:
a⋅d=0
Substitute the expression for $\vec{d}$ from Step 2:a⋅(ka−b)=0
Using the distributive property of the dot product:k(a⋅a)−(a⋅b)=0
- Calculate the necessary dot products: We are given a=2i−j+k and b=2j−3k. First, calculate a⋅a:
a⋅a=(2)(2)+(−1)(−1)+(1)(1)=4+1+1=6
Next, calculate $\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}$: … - TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-FN1 markMCQQ.Suppose L1 and L2 are two lines having the direction ratios 1,−2,−2 and 0,2,1 respectively. If the direction cosines of a line perpendicular to both L1 and L2 are l,m,n then ∣l∣+∣m∣+∣n∣= (A) 3 (B) 35 (C) 3 (D) 37
›Reveal solutionSolution
The line perpendicular to both given lines is parallel to the cross product of their direction vectors. Computing that cross product and normalising gives direction cosines whose absolute values sum to 37.
The key idea is geometric: a line perpendicular to two given lines is parallel to the vector that is perpendicular to both direction vectors — that is, their cross product. Once we have that vector, its direction cosines are just its components divided by its magnitude. The question asks for the sum of the absolute values of those cosines.
Let’s work through it.
-
Write the direction vectors.
For L1, direction ratios 1,−2,−2 give the vector a=(1,−2,−2).
For L2, direction ratios 0,2,1 give b=(0,2,1).
-
Find a vector perpendicular to both.
The cross product a×b is perpendicular to both. Compute:
a×b=i^10j^−22k^−21
=i^((−2)(1)−(−2)(2))−j^((1)(1)−(−2)(0))+k^((1)(2)−(−2)(0))
=i^(−2+4)−j^(1−0)+k^(2−0)
=2i^−1j^+2k^
So the vector is (2,−1,2).
- Find its magnitude. ∣v∣=22+(−1)2+22=4+1+4=9=3 …
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-03-FN1 markMCQQ.Let a=i^+2j^+3k^, b=2i^−3j^+k^ and c=3i^+j^−2k^ be three vectors. If r is a vector such that r.a=0, r.b=−2 and r.c=6 then r.(3i^+j^+k^)= (A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 3 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
r⋅(3i^+j^+k^)=3 — option (C).
Let r=xi^+yj^+zk^. The conditions give:
r⋅a=0:x+2y+3z=0,
r⋅b=−2:2x−3y+z=−2,
r⋅c=6:3x+y−2z=6.
From the first equation x=−2y−3z. Substituting:
2(−2y−3z)−3y+z=−2⇒−7y−5z=−2⇒7y+5z=2,
3(−2y−3z)+y−2z=6⇒−5y−11z=6⇒5y+11z=−6. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If a=i^+pj^−3k^, b=2i^−3j^+qk^, c=i^+2j^+2k^ (p<0,q>0) are three vectors such that the magnitude of projection of a on c is 3 and the magnitude of projection of b on c is 2, then the magnitude of projection of a on b is (A) 3811 (B) 3834 (C) 387 (D) 3816
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the projection formula projc(a)=∣c∣∣a⋅c∣ to set up equations for p and q, then compute ∣b∣∣a⋅b∣ to get the answer 387.
The key idea is that the magnitude of projection of one vector onto another is simply the absolute value of their dot product divided by the length of the vector you’re projecting onto. That’s a direct, no-nonsense formula — no angles, no geometry beyond the dot product.
We’re given three vectors:
a=i^+pj^−3k^,b=2i^−3j^+qk^,c=i^+2j^+2k^
with p<0 and q>0. The projections give us two equations to solve for p and q. Once we have them, the third projection is straightforward.
- Magnitude of projection of a on c is 3. The formula:
∣c∣∣a⋅c∣=3
Compute a⋅c=(1)(1)+(p)(2)+(−3)(2)=1+2p−6=2p−5.
Compute ∣c∣=12+22+22=9=3.
So:
3∣2p−5∣=3⇒∣2p−5∣=9
This gives 2p−5=9 or 2p−5=−9.
- If 2p−5=9, then 2p=14, p=7. But p<0, so discard.
- If 2p−5=−9, then 2p=−4, p=−2. This satisfies p<0. Hence p=−2.
- Magnitude of projection of b on c is 2.
∣c∣∣b⋅c∣=2
Compute b⋅c=(2)(1)+(−3)(2)+(q)(2)=2−6+2q=2q−4.
∣c∣=3 as before. So:
3∣2q−4∣=2⇒∣2q−4∣=6
This gives 2q−4=6 or 2q−4=−6.
- If 2q−4=6, then 2q=10, q=5. This satisfies q>0.
- If 2q−4=−6, then 2q=−2, q=−1. This violates q>0, so discard. Hence q=5. …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If the points A(1,3,5), B(2,4,6), C(4,5,k) form a right angled triangle then the number of possible values of k is (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 0 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
For three points to form a right triangle, the dot product of the vectors along two sides must be zero. Checking all three possible right-angle vertices gives a quadratic in k with two real solutions, so the number of possible values of k is 2.
The key idea is that a right angled triangle has one angle equal to 90∘. In coordinate geometry, the condition for a right angle at a vertex is that the dot product of the vectors representing the two sides meeting at that vertex is zero. Since we don't know which vertex holds the right angle, we must test all three possibilities.
Let's work through it systematically.
-
Write the position vectors of the points
A(1,3,5), B(2,4,6), C(4,5,k).
We'll use vector notation: A=i^+3j^+5k^, B=2i^+4j^+6k^, C=4i^+5j^+kk^.
-
Form the side vectors for each possible right angle
Case 1: Right angle at A
Vectors along sides meeting at A:
AB=B−A=(2−1)i^+(4−3)j^+(6−5)k^=i^+j^+k^
AC=C−A=(4−1)i^+(5−3)j^+(k−5)k^=3i^+2j^+(k−5)k^
Dot product: AB⋅AC=(1)(3)+(1)(2)+(1)(k−5)=3+2+k−5=k
Setting to zero: k=0.
Case 2: Right angle at B
Vectors:
BA=A−B=−i^−j^−k^
BC=C−B=(4−2)i^+(5−4)j^+(k−6)k^=2i^+j^+(k−6)k^
Dot product: BA⋅BC=(−1)(2)+(−1)(1)+(−1)(k−6)=−2−1−k+6=3−k
Setting to zero: 3−k=0⟹k=3.
Case 3: Right angle at C
Vectors:
CA=A−C=(1−4)i^+(3−5)j^+(5−k)k^=−3i^−2j^+(5−k)k^
CB=B−C=(2−4)i^+(4−5)j^+(6−k)k^=−2i^−j^+(6−k)k^
Dot product: CA⋅CB=(−3)(−2)+(−2)(−1)+(5−k)(6−k) …
-
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-AN1 markMCQQ.If r=2i−j+2k, s=3i−3j+3k, t=i+2j+k are three vectors and a is a vector such that s×a=r×a and ∣t×a∣=128, then ∣t⋅a∣= (A) 3 (B) 6 (C) 4 (D) 8
›Reveal solutionSolution
a is parallel to s−r; this gives ∣t⋅a∣=4 (C).
The condition s×a=r×a gives (s−r)×a=0, so a is parallel to
s−r=(3−2,−3+1,3−2)=(1,−2,1).
Write a=k(1,−2,1). With t=(1,2,1):
t×(1,−2,1)=(2⋅1−1⋅(−2), −(1⋅1−1⋅1), 1⋅(−2)−2⋅1)=(4,0,−4).
So ∣t×a∣=∣k∣16+16=∣k∣32. Given ∣t×a∣=128: …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.The vector in the direction of the sum of the vectors a=2i^−2j^+5k^ and b=−2i^+5j^−3k^ is (A) Perpendicular to ZX - plane (B) Parallel to ZX - plane (C) Parallel to YZ - plane (D) Perpendicular to YZ - plane
›Reveal solutionSolution
The sum is 3j^+2k^ (no i^ term), so it lies in and is parallel to the YZ-plane — option (C).
Add the vectors component-wise:
a+b=(2−2)i^+(−2+5)j^+(5−3)k^=0i^+3j^+2k^. …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-FN1 markMCQQ.The perpendicular distance from the origin to the plane containing the points having position vectors i+2j+3k, 2i+3j−4k, 3i−4j+5k, is (A) 6010 (B) 3012 (C) 12715 (D) 5725
›Reveal solutionSolution
Build the plane through the three points from a normal vector (cross product), then apply the origin-to-plane distance formula: the distance is 3012, option (B).
The three position vectors give the points A(1,2,3), B(2,3,−4), C(3,−4,5). The perpendicular distance from the origin to their plane is ∣n∣∣d∣, where n⋅r=d is the plane's equation.
- Two in-plane vectors.
AB=(1,1,−7),AC=(2,−6,2).
- Normal vector =AB×AC. n=i12j1−6k−72=i(1⋅2−(−7)(−6))−j(1⋅2−(−7)⋅2)+k(1⋅(−6)−1⋅2). …
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