Vector Algebra
Scalar Triple Product and Cross Product
Grade 12
Question:
<p>Let <strong>a</strong>, <strong>b</strong> and <strong>c</strong> be three vectors that \([\vec{a}\;\vec{b}\;\vec{c}] = 2\). If \(\vec{r} = l(\vec{b}\times\vec{c}) + m(\vec{c}\times\vec{a}) + n(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})\) be perpendicular to \(\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c}\), then the value of \(l+m+n\) is ________.</p>
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: If a vector is perpendicular to another vector, their dot product equals zero. We use this condition along with properties of scalar triple product to find the relationship between l, m, and n.
Step 1: Set up the perpendicularity condition
Since $\vec{r}$ is perpendicular to $(\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c})$, we have:
$\vec{r}·(\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c}) = 0$ Step 2: Substitute the expression for r
$[l(\vec{b}\times\vec{c}) + m(\vec{c}\times\vec{a}) + n(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})]·(\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c}) = 0$ Step 3: Expand the dot product
$l(\vec{b}\times\vec{c})·\vec{a} + l(\vec{b}\times\vec{c})·\vec{b} + l(\vec{b}\times\vec{c})·\vec{c}$
$+ m(\vec{c}\times\vec{a})·\vec{a} + m(\vec{c}\times\vec{a})·\vec{b} + m(\vec{c}\times\vec{a})·\vec{c}$
$+ n(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})·\vec{a} + n(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})·\vec{b} + n(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})·\vec{c} = 0$ Step 4: Apply the property that (u×v)·u = 0 and (u×v)·v = 0
The cross product is perpendicular to both vectors involved, so:
- $(\vec{b}\times\vec{c})·\vec{b} = 0$ and $(\vec{b}\times\vec{c})·\vec{c} = 0$
- $(\vec{c}\times\vec{a})·\vec{c} = 0$ and $(\vec{c}\times\vec{a})·\vec{a} = 0$
- $(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})·\vec{a} = 0$ and $(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})·\vec{b} = 0$ Step 5: Simplify using scalar triple product
The remaining non-zero terms are:
$l[(\vec{b}\times\vec{c})·\vec{a}] + m[(\vec{c}\times\vec{a})·\vec{b}] + n[(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})·\vec{c}] = 0$ Step 6: Use the scalar triple product definition
Recall that $(\vec{b}\times\vec{c})·\vec{a} = [\vec{a}\vec{b}\vec{c}]$, $(\vec{c}\times\vec{a})·\vec{b} = [\vec{a}\vec{b}\vec{c}]$, and $(\vec{a}\times\vec{b})·\vec{c} = [\vec{a}\vec{b}\vec{c}]$
All three scalar triple products equal the same value. Given $[\vec{a}\vec{b}\vec{c}] = 2$: Step 7: Substitute and solve
$l(2) + m(2) + n(2) = 0$
$2(l + m + n) = 0$
$l + m + n = 0$ ∴ Answer: 0
Correct Answer: 0