Q. If the position vectors of $A,B\ and\ C$are respectively $2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}},\ \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 5\widehat{\mathbf{k}}\ and\ 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - 4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{J}}} - 4\widehat{\mathbf{k}}\$then $\cos^{2}\ A$ is equal to

A) 0
B) $\frac{6}{41}$
C) $\frac{35}{41}$
D) 1
Explanation

(c)
Let $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{OA}} = 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}},\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{OB}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 5\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
$and\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{OC}} = 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - 4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 4\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
$\mathbf{\therefore}a = \left| \overrightarrow{\mathbf{OA}} \right| = \sqrt{6},\ b = \left| \overrightarrow{\mathbf{OB}} \right| = \sqrt{35}$
and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}\left| \overrightarrow{\mathbf{OC}} \right| = \sqrt{41}$
$\therefore\cos A = \frac{b^{2} + c^{2} + a^{2}}{2bc}$
$= \frac{\left( \sqrt{35} \right)^{2} + \left( \sqrt{41} \right)^{2} - \left( \sqrt{6} \right)^{2}}{2\sqrt{35}\ \sqrt{41}}$
$\Longrightarrow \cos{A = \sqrt{\frac{35}{41}}}$
$\Longrightarrow \ \sin^{2}{A = \frac{35}{41}}$

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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