If $\vec{a}=5 \hat{i}-\hat{j}-3 \hat{k}$ and $\vec{b}=\hat{i}+3 \hat{j}-5 \hat{k},$ then show that the vectors $\vec{a}+\vec{b}$ and $\vec{a}-\vec{b}$ are perpendicular.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
We know that two nonzero vectors are perpendicular if their scalar product is zero.
First,calculate $\vec{a}+\vec{b}$:
$\vec{a}+\vec{b}=(5 \hat{i}-\hat{j}-3 \hat{k})+(\hat{i}+3 \hat{j}-5 \hat{k}) = 6 \hat{i}+2 \hat{j}-8 \hat{k}$
Next,calculate $\vec{a}-\vec{b}$:
$\vec{a}-\vec{b}=(5 \hat{i}-\hat{j}-3 \hat{k})-(\hat{i}+3 \hat{j}-5 \hat{k}) = 4 \hat{i}-4 \hat{j}+2 \hat{k}$
Now,find the dot product $(\vec{a}+\vec{b}) \cdot (\vec{a}-\vec{b})$:
$(\vec{a}+\vec{b}) \cdot (\vec{a}-\vec{b}) = (6 \hat{i}+2 \hat{j}-8 \hat{k}) \cdot (4 \hat{i}-4 \hat{j}+2 \hat{k})$
$= (6)(4) + (2)(-4) + (-8)(2)$
$= 24 - 8 - 16$
$= 24 - 24 = 0$
Since the dot product is $0$,the vectors $\vec{a}+\vec{b}$ and $\vec{a}-\vec{b}$ are perpendicular.

Explore More

Similar Questions

If the position vectors of the vertices of a triangle are $2 \hat{i}-\hat{j}+\hat{k}$,$\hat{i}-3 \hat{j}-5 \hat{k}$,and $3 \hat{i}-4 \hat{j}-4 \hat{k}$,then the triangle is

If the constant forces $2 \hat{i}-5 \hat{j}+6 \hat{k}$ and $-\hat{i}+2 \hat{j}-\hat{k}$ act on a particle due to which it is displaced from a point $A(4,-3,-2)$ to a point $B(6,1,-3)$, then the work done by the forces is (in $\text{ unit}$)

If $\overrightarrow{F_1} = i - j + k,$ $\overrightarrow{F_2} = -i + 2j - k,$ $\overrightarrow{F_3} = j - k,$ $\vec{A} = 4i - 3j - 2k$ and $\vec{B} = 6i + j - 3k,$ then the scalar product of $(\overrightarrow{F_1} + \overrightarrow{F_2} + \overrightarrow{F_3})$ and $\overrightarrow{AB}$ will be:

Let $a, b, c$ be three vectors such that the magnitude of $b$ is twice that of $a$ and the magnitude of $c$ is three times that of $a$. If the angle between each pair of vectors is $\frac{\pi}{3}$ and $|a+b+c|=5$, then $|c|+|a|+|b|=$

Let $ABC$ be a triangle and $P$ be a point inside $ABC$ such that $\overrightarrow{PA} + 2\overrightarrow{PB} + 3\overrightarrow{PC} = \vec{0}$. The ratio of the area of $\triangle ABC$ to that of $\triangle APC$ is

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo