Q. If $\left| \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \right| = 2,\left| \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right| = 3$, and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$ are mutually perpendicular, then the area of triangle whose vertices are $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}},\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$ is

A) 5
B) 1
C) 6
D) 8
Explanation

(c)
Let the position vectors of the points $A,B,C$ are $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}},\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$ respectively and θ$= 90{^\circ}$
$\therefore Area\ of\ triangle = \frac{1}{2}|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{AB}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{AC}}|$
$= \frac{1}{2}|\left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right) \times \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right)|$
$= \frac{1}{2}\left| 2\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \right|$
$= |\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}|\ |\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}|$ $\sin\theta = 3 \times 2\sin{90{^\circ}} = 6$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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