JEE MainMathematicsVector Algebra
Let a and b be two vectors such that | a | = 3 and | b | = 4 . If the projection of a on the vector a - b is 3 13 , then the value of | a b |^2 is equal to
Options
- A180
- B108
- C6
- D144
Correct answer
B. 108
Step-by-step solution
Given | a | = 3 and | b | = 4 . The projection of a on a - b is given by: a ( a - b ) | a - b | = 3 13 Let a b = x . Then the numerator is: a a - a b = | a |^2 - x = 9 - x The denominator is: | a - b | = | a |^2 + | b |^2 - 2( a b ) = 9 + 16 - 2x = 25 - 2x Substituting these into the projection formula: 9 - x 25 - 2x = 3 13 Since the projection is positive, 9 - x > 0 . Squaring both sides: 81 - 18x + x^2 25 - 2x = 9 13 13(81 - 18x + x^2) = 9(25 - 2x) 1053 - 234x + 13x^2 = 225 - 18x 13x^2 - 216x + 828 = 0 Solving fo