Vector Algebra — Class 12 Maths Solution

ncert exercise SA NCERT,Page 448,Ex.10.3,Q.No 13
Question

If $\vec a,\vec b,\vec c$ are unit vectors such that $\overrightarrow a + \vec b + \vec c = 0$, find the value of $\vec a \cdot \vec b + \vec b \cdot \vec c + \vec c \cdot \vec a$.

Step-by-step Solution

We have, $|\vec a| = |\vec b| = |\vec c| = 1$
…(i)
As we know, $\vec a + \vec b + \vec c = 0$
…(ii)
Squaring (ii),

we get ${(\vec a + \vec b + \vec c)^2} = 0$
$\Rightarrow |\vec a{|^2} + |\vec b{|^2} + |\vec c{|^2} + 2(\vec a \cdot \vec b + \vec b \cdot \vec c + \vec c \cdot \vec a) = 0$

$\Rightarrow {(1)^2} + {(1)^2} + {(1)^2} + 2(\vec a \cdot \vec b + \vec b \cdot \vec c + \vec c \cdot \vec a) = 0$

Hence, $\vec a \cdot \vec b + \vec b \cdot \vec c + \vec c \cdot \vec a = - \cfrac{3}{2}$

NCERT & Exemplar solution for CBSE Class 12 Mathematics, Vector Algebra. Curated by Sachin Sharma. Free for all students.