Question 24

Mathematics Scalar and Vector Products Hard

Let&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">\(\vec{a}, \vec{b}\)</span>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">\(\vec{c}\)</span>&nbsp;be three non-zero vectors, no two of which are collinear. If the vector&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">\(\vec{a}+2\vec{b}\)</span>&nbsp;is collinear with&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">\(\vec{c}\)</span>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">\(\vec{b}+3\vec{c}\)</span>&nbsp;is collinear with&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">\(\vec{a}\)</span>, then&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">\(\vec{a} + 2\vec{b}+6\vec{c}\)</span>&nbsp;is equal to

(A) <span class="math-tex">\(\lambda \vec{a}\)</span>
(B) <span class="math-tex">\(\lambda \vec{b}\)</span>
(C) <span class="math-tex">\(\lambda \vec{c}\)</span>
(D) <span class="math-tex">\(\vec{0}\)</span>
View Dynamic Solution & Explanation
Correct Solution: Option D

Step-by-step Solution:

\[ \text{Let } a+2b = xc \quad \text{and} \quad b+3c = ya. \] \[ \text{Then } a+2b+6c = (x+6)c \] \[ \text{and also, } a+2b+6c = (1+2y)a. \] \[ \text{So } (x+6)c = (1+2y)a. \] \[ \text{Since } a, b, \text{ and } c \text{ are non-zero and non-collinear,} \] \[ \text{we have } x+6 = 0 \] \[ \text{and } 1+2y = 0, \text{ i.e. } x=-6 \text{ and } y=-\frac{1}{2}. \] \[ \text{In either case, we have } a+2b+6c = 0. \]