Q. If $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = (2,1, - 1),\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = (1, - 1,0),\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = (5 - 1,1),\$then unit vector parallel to $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}$ but in opposite direction is

A) $\frac{1}{3}(2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\mathbf{k}})$
B) $\frac{1}{2}(2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\mathbf{k}})$
C) $\frac{1}{3}(2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 2\widehat{\mathbf{k}})$
D) None of these
Explanation

(a)
Let $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = (2,1, - 1)$,$\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = (1, - 1,0)$and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = (5, - 1,1)$
$\therefore\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = (2 + 1 - 5)\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + (1 - 1 + 1)\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + ( - 1 + 0 - 1)\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{k}}}$
$= - \left( 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{k}}} \right)$
$\therefore$ Unit vector of
$\left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \right) = - \frac{(2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{k}}})}{3}$
$\therefore\ \$Required unit vector of
$\left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \right) = \frac{(2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{k}}})}{3}$

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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