Question 29

Mathematics Position Vectors Medium

If \( \theta(0 \leq \theta \leq \pi) \) is the angle between the vectors \( \vec{a} \) and \( \vec{b} \) , then \( \frac{|\vec{a} \times \vec{b}|}{\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}} \) equals

(A) \( -\cot \theta \)
(B) \( \tan \theta \)
(C) \( -\tan \theta \)
(D) \( \cot \theta \)
View Dynamic Solution & Explanation
Correct Solution: Option B

Step-by-step Solution:

\[ \frac{|\vec{a} \times \vec{b}|}{\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}} = ? \] Let \( \theta \) be the angle between the vectors \( \vec{a} \) and \( \vec{b} \), where \( 0 < \theta < \pi \).
Step 1: Use the formulas:
Magnitude of cross product: \[ |\vec{a} \times \vec{b}| = |\vec{a}||\vec{b}|\sin\theta \] Dot product: \[ \vec{a} \cdot \vec{b} = |\vec{a}||\vec{b}|\cos\theta \] Step 2: Plug into the expression: \[ \frac{|\vec{a} \times \vec{b}|}{\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}} = \frac{|\vec{a}||\vec{b}|\sin\theta}{|\vec{a}||\vec{b}|\cos\theta} = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} = \tan\theta \] Final Answer: \( {\tan\theta} \)