MHT CET202611 April 2026Morning ShiftMathematicsVector AlgebraActual
If a, b, c are distinct non-negative numbers and the vectors a i + a j + c k , i + k , c i + c j + b k lie in the same plane, then the value of c is...
Options
- AThe arithmetic mean of a and b
- BThe geometric mean of a and b
- CThe harmonic mean of a and b
- D0
Correct answer
B. The geometric mean of a and b
Step-by-step solution
Since the given vectors are coplanar, their scalar triple product is zero. vmatrix a & a & c 1 & 0 & 1 c & c & b vmatrix = 0 Expanding the determinant along the first row: a(0 - c) - a(b - c) + c(c - 0) = 0 -ac - ab + ac + c^2 = 0 c^2 - ab = 0 c^2 = ab Since a, b, c are non-negative numbers, c = ab . Thus, c is the geometric mean of a and b . Answer: The geometric mean of a and b