Show that the points $A (2 \hat{i}-\hat{j}+\hat{k})$,$B (\hat{i}-3 \hat{j}-5 \hat{k})$,and $C (3 \hat{i}-4 \hat{j}-4 \hat{k})$ are the vertices of a right-angled triangle.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(A) The position vectors of the vertices are $\vec{a} = 2\hat{i} - \hat{j} + \hat{k}$,$\vec{b} = \hat{i} - 3\hat{j} - 5\hat{k}$,and $\vec{c} = 3\hat{i} - 4\hat{j} - 4\hat{k}$.
First,we find the vectors representing the sides:
$\vec{AB} = \vec{b} - \vec{a} = (1-2)\hat{i} + (-3+1)\hat{j} + (-5-1)\hat{k} = -\hat{i} - 2\hat{j} - 6\hat{k}$
$\vec{BC} = \vec{c} - \vec{b} = (3-1)\hat{i} + (-4+3)\hat{j} + (-4+5)\hat{k} = 2\hat{i} - \hat{j} + \hat{k}$
$\vec{CA} = \vec{a} - \vec{c} = (2-3)\hat{i} + (-1+4)\hat{j} + (1+4)\hat{k} = -\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} + 5\hat{k}$
Now,calculate the squares of the magnitudes of these sides:
$|\vec{AB}|^2 = (-1)^2 + (-2)^2 + (-6)^2 = 1 + 4 + 36 = 41$
$|\vec{BC}|^2 = (2)^2 + (-1)^2 + (1)^2 = 4 + 1 + 1 = 6$
$|\vec{CA}|^2 = (-1)^2 + (3)^2 + (5)^2 = 1 + 9 + 25 = 35$
Observe that $|\vec{AB}|^2 = |\vec{BC}|^2 + |\vec{CA}|^2$ since $41 = 6 + 35$.
By the converse of the Pythagoras theorem,the triangle is a right-angled triangle with the right angle at vertex $C$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A, B, C, D$ are four points in a plane with position vectors $\overline{a}, \overline{b}, \overline{c}, \overline{d}$ respectively such that $(\overline{a}-\overline{d}) \cdot(\overline{b}-\overline{c})=(\overline{b}-\overline{d}) \cdot(\overline{c}-\overline{a})=0$. Then the point $D$ is the $\dots$ of $\triangle ABC$.

Two adjacent sides of a parallelogram $ABCD$ are given by $\vec{AB} = 2\hat{i} + 10\hat{j} + 11\hat{k}$ and $\vec{AD} = -\hat{i} + 2\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$. The side $\vec{AD}$ is rotated by an acute angle $\alpha$ in the plane of the parallelogram so that $\vec{AD}$ becomes $\vec{AD'}$. If $\vec{AD'}$ makes a right angle with the side $\vec{AB}$, then the cosine of the angle $\alpha$ is...

If $a = 2i + 4j + 2k$ and $b = 8i - 3j + \lambda k$ and $a \perp b,$ then the value of $\lambda$ will be:

If the coordinates of the points $P$ and $Q$ are $(1, -2, 1)$ and $(2, 3, 4)$ respectively,and $O$ is the origin $(0, 0, 0)$,then which of the following is true?

If $a + b + c = 0$, $|a| = |b| = |c| = 3$ and $\theta$ is the angle between $b$ and $c$, then $\tan^2 \theta + \cot^2 \theta =$ (in $/3$)

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